NASA’s Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem Earth Science Mission

Photo credit: NASA Television

NASA’s newest Earth-observing satellite called PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) is dedicated to climate science and helping researchers learn more about the relationship between the atmosphere and ocean. 

Satellite observation technology to study Earth’s atmosphere and oceans has been used for decades, but with a spectrometer and two polarimeters onboard, PACE will provide a major leap forward by providing new data on clouds, aerosols, and phytoplankton in our oceans. 

PACE will enable new views of clouds and aerosols within the atmosphere, and microscopic phytoplankton in the ocean that can help to reveal more about climate change’s impact on marine life and ocean health. 

Changes in phytoplankton populations can appear as different colors on the ocean surface and with PACE, these color variations will be more discernible. Phytoplankton also interact with microscopic airborne particles called aerosols. Clouds form in the atmosphere when water vapor condenses on these particles. Aerosols can sometimes be the result of wildfires and pollution. Often, the particles end up deposited on the ocean surface which can encourage phytoplankton blooms. 

Scientists will use data from PACE’s instruments to measure size, composition, and amount of aerosols present within the atmosphere. This information will help scientists better understand how clouds and aerosols interact and what that impact is on ocean health. Together, these puzzle pieces can reveal larger insights about climate change. 

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will follow a path along a southern polar trajectory and insert PACE into a sun-synchronous orbit. Liftoff is scheduled for 1:33 a.m. EST. 

NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center is responsible for the mission including the design and fabrication of the spacecraft and the development of its instruments. The agency’s Launch Services Program (LSP) based at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida manages the launch service for the mission. 

PACE is LSP’s first launch to polar orbit from Florida’s Space Coast, and it’s the first for NASA since 1960. Other launches to polar orbit have been from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. SpaceX has launched to a polar orbit from Florida for other customers. 

To learn more about PACE, visit:

https://science.nasa.gov/mission/pace 

Stay right here for continued blog coverage, or tune in to the launch broadcast on NASA Television, NASA+, the NASA app, and the agency’s website, as well as YouTube, X, Facebook, Twitch, and Daily Motion. 

Key Milestones for Launch of Tonight’s PACE Mission From Florida

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket topped with NASA's PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) spacecraft inside a protective payload fairing is raised vertical at Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket topped with NASA’s PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) spacecraft inside a protective payload fairing is raised vertical at Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Photo credit: NASA Television

Here’s a look at some of the milestones for this morning’s countdown, liftoff, and ascent of NASA’s PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) mission from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. All times are approximate: 

COUNTDOWN : 
Hr/Min/Sec        Event 

– 00:38:00        SpaceX Launch Director verifies go for propellant load 

– 00:35:00         RP-1 (rocket grade kerosene) loading begins 

– 00:35:00         1st stage LOX (liquid oxygen) loading begins 

– 00:16:00         2nd stage LOX loading begins 

– 00:07:00         Falcon 9 begins engine chill prior to launch 

– 00:01:00         Command flight computer to begin final prelaunch checks 

– 00:01:00         Propellant tank pressurization to flight pressure begins 

– 00:00:45         SpaceX Launch Director verifies go for launch 

– 00:00:03         Engine controller commands engine ignition sequence to start 

    00:00:00         Falcon 9 liftoff 

LAUNCH, LANDING, AND SPACECRAFT DEPLOYMENT: 
Hr/Min/Sec        Event

00:01:07          Max Q (moment of peak mechanical stress on the rocket) 

00:02:19          1st stage main engine cutoff (MECO) 

00:02:23          1st and 2nd stages separate 

00:02:30         2nd stage engine starts 

00:02:36         Boostback Burn Starts 

00:03:16         Boostback Burn Ends 

00:04:15         Fairing deployment 

00:05:46        1st stage entry burn start 

00:06:11         1st stage entry burn ends 

00:06:58       1st stage landing burn start 

00:07:32       1st stage landing 

00:10:20       2nd stage engine cutoff (SECO-1) 

00:12:22       PACE spacecraft deploys 

Latest Weather Forecast for NASA’s PACE Mission Launch From Florida

Photo credit: NASA Television

Launch weather officers with Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s 45th Weather Squadron predict 95% favorable weather conditions for the launch of NASA’s PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) mission aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. 

Liftoff continues to be targeted for 1:33 a.m. EST from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Space in Florida. 

Follow along here on the blog as the countdown continues, or watch live coverage on the NASA+ streaming service, the NASA app, and the agency’s website, as well as YouTube, and the agency’s website. Learn how to stream NASA TV through a variety of platforms, including these accounts on social media: 

X: @NASA, @NASA_LSP, @NASAEarth, @NASAKennedy, @NASAGoddard  
Facebook: NASA, NASA’s Launch Services Program, NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center 
Instagram: @NASA, @NASAKennedy, @NASAGoddard  

NASA Begins Live Coverage for PACE Mission Launch From Florida

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket topped with NASA's PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) spacecraft inside a protective payload fairing is raised vertical at Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket topped with NASA’s PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) spacecraft inside a protective payload fairing is raised vertical at Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Photo credit: NASA Television

Good evening and welcome to this morning’s live launch blog coverage of NASA’s PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) mission launch from Florida. 

NASA and SpaceX teams are currently counting down to liftoff of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the PACE spacecraft from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Liftoff is scheduled for 1:33 a.m. EST. 

Tonight’s coverage comes to you from the NASA News Center at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center. Follow along right here on the blog as we take you through the entire flight profile for the PACE mission. 

You can also watch the launch broadcast on NASA Television NASA+, the NASA app, and the agency’s website, as well as YouTube, X, Facebook, Twitch, and Daily Motion. 

Join the conversation, follow the launch, and get PACE mission updates from these accounts: 

X: @NASA, @NASA_LSP, @NASAEarth, @NASAKennedy, @NASAGoddard 

Facebook: NASA, NASA’s Launch Services Program, @NASAEarth, NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center 

Instagram: @NASA, @NASAKennedy, @NASAGoddard 

Weather Clears for PACE Launch

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with NASA’s PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) spacecraft stands vertical at Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with NASA’s PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) spacecraft stands vertical at Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Monday, Feb. 5, 2024. PACE is NASA’s newest earth-observing satellite that will help increase our understanding of Earth’s oceans, atmosphere, and climate by delivering hyperspectral observations of microscopic marine organisms called phytoplankton as well new data on clouds and aerosols. Liftoff of the PACE mission is set for no earlier than 1:33 a.m. EST on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024. Photo credit: SpaceX

Launch weather officers with Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s 45th Weather Squadron predict 95% favorable weather conditions for the launch of NASA’s PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) mission aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.  

The launch has been delayed two times due to unfavorable weather conditions near the Space Coast. For the primary launch window early Thursday morning, the only concern is a very low risk of a Cumulus Cloud Rule violation.

Liftoff continues to be targeted for 1:33 a.m. EST Thursday, Feb. 8, from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Space in Florida. 

Follow along here on the blog as the countdown continues, or watch live coverage at 12:45 a.m. EST on Thursday, Feb. 8 on the NASA+ streaming service, the NASA app, and the agency’s website, as well as YouTube, and the agency’s website. Learn how to stream NASA TV through a variety of platforms, including these accounts on social media:

X: @NASA, @NASA_LSP, @NASAEarth, @NASAKennedy, @NASAGoddard  
Facebook: NASA, NASA’s Launch Services Program, NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center 
Instagram: @NASA, @NASAKennedy, @NASAGoddard  

Weather Delays Launch of NASA’s PACE Mission

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with NASA’s PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) spacecraft stands vertical at Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Monday, Feb. 5, 2024. PACE is NASA’s newest earth-observing satellite that will help increase our understanding of Earth’s oceans, atmosphere, and climate by delivering hyperspectral observations of microscopic marine organisms called phytoplankton as well new data on clouds and aerosols.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with NASA’s PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) spacecraft stands vertical at Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Monday, Feb. 5, 2024. PACE is NASA’s newest earth-observing satellite that will help increase our understanding of Earth’s oceans, atmosphere, and climate by delivering hyperspectral observations of microscopic marine organisms called phytoplankton as well new data on clouds and aerosols. Photo credit: SpaceX

NASA and SpaceX are standing down from the Wednesday, Feb. 7, launch of the agency’s Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) mission due to ground winds preventing prelaunch checkouts. The team is targeting liftoff at 1:33 a.m. EST Thursday, Feb. 8, on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

The satellite and rocket remain healthy and ready for launch.

Live launch coverage will begin on NASA+ and NASA TV public channel at 12:45 a.m. EST on Feb. 8.

Continue checking the PACE blog for additional mission updates, or join the conversation on social media by following these accounts:

X: @NASA, @NASA_LSP, @NASAKennedy, @NASAGoddard 
Facebook: NASA, NASA’s Launch Services Program, NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center 
Instagram: @NASA, @NASAKennedy, @NASAGoddard 

Weather 50% For Launch of NASA’s Ocean, Atmosphere, Climate Mission

PACE spacecraft atop SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with NASA’s PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) spacecraft stands vertical at Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Monday, Feb. 5, 2024. Photo credit: SpaceX

Launch weather officers with Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s 45th Weather Squadron predict 50% favorable weather conditions for the launch of NASA’s PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) mission aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. 

A very windy day is in store today as the low pressure system that impacted Central Florida the last couple of days pushes eastward. Winds will begin to decrease in the overnight hours. The main concern will be liftoff winds, with a smaller chance of a Cumulus Cloud Rule violation, according to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s 45th Weather Squadron.

Liftoff continues to be targeted for 1:33 a.m. EST Wednesday, Feb. 7, from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Space in Florida. 

Follow along here on the blog as the countdown continues, or watch live coverage on the NASA+ streaming service, the NASA app, and the agency’s website, as well as YouTube, and the agency’s website. Learn how to stream NASA TV through a variety of platforms, including these accounts on social media: 

X: @NASA, @NASA_LSP, @NASAEarth, @NASAKennedy, @NASAGoddard  
Facebook: NASA, NASA’s Launch Services Program, NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center 
Instagram: @NASA, @NASAKennedy, @NASAGoddard  

Weather Delays Launch of NASA’s Ocean, Atmosphere, Climate Mission

A Falcon 9 rocket stands on a launch pad with a black back ground from the darkness.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with NASA’s PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) spacecraft encapsulated atop is raised to a vertical position at Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Monday, Feb. 5, 2024. Photo credit: SpaceX

NASA and SpaceX are standing down from the Tuesday, Feb. 6 launch of the agency’s Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) mission due to unfavorable weather conditions. NASA and SpaceX are now targeting launch at 1:33 a.m. EST Wednesday, Feb. 7, from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

Both the PACE satellite and the Falcon 9 rocket remain healthy.

Live launch coverage will begin on NASA+ and NASA TV public channel at 12:45 a.m. EST Wednesday, Feb.7.

Continue checking the PACE blog for additional mission updates, or join the conversation on social media by following these accounts:

X: @NASA, @NASA_LSP, @NASAKennedy, @NASAGoddard
Facebook: NASA, NASA’s Launch Services Program, NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
Instagram: @NASA, @NASAKennedy, @NASAGoddard

Why the PACE team is nocturnal this week

Editor’s note, Feb. 6, 2024: NASA and SpaceX stood down from PACE’s Feb. 6 launch attempt due to unfavorable weather conditions. Launch is now targeted for 1:33 a.m. EST Wednesday, Feb. 7.

Editor’s note, Feb. 7, 2024: NASA and SpaceX stood down from PACE’s Feb. 7 launch attempt due to unfavorable weather conditions. Launch is now targeted for 1:33 a.m. EST Wednesday, Feb. 8.

There’s a good reason why NASA’s PACE satellite is launching in the early morning hours. Late tonight, I’ll venture out in the chilly Merritt Island air to catch a glimpse of a historic sight. At 1:33 a.m., February 6, NASA is slated to launch the Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) satellite atop SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket.

Why so early in the morning?  The launch is timed to accommodate the satellite’s orbit around Earth.

PACE will be in a Sun-synchronous orbit, meaning it’s synced to always maintain the same position relative to the Sun. This also means it will cross Earth’s equator at the same local time for each orbit, and the angle at which the sun illuminates Earth will be consistent for each image that it takes. This allows scientists to collect consistent data.

“An Earth-observing satellite generally wants the Sun well overhead during observations,” said Scott Patano, flight dynamics system development lead for PACE at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.

To get this level of lighting during its orbit, PACE wants the Sun to be almost behind it as it observes the Earth. Though if the Sun happens to be directly behind the satellite, there may be glare or reflections off the ocean, which isn’t ideal, especially considering one of its main purposes is to collect ocean data. To prevent glare, PACE will be slightly offset – not directly in front of the Sun. If you imagine the Sun is at the 12:00 angle, PACE will orbit at 1:00.

So why the 1:33 a.m. launch? The best answer to that question is… math. Really cool math. By launching south out of Florida on the dark side of the Earth, the math works out perfectly to get the satellite right into place on the approaching India as it crosses the equator for the first time on the daylight side of the Earth by 1:00 p.m. local time.

Centered in the image is a rocket, mid-launch. The launch is taking place at night, so all around the rocket and it's stand is black. The only light is coming from the fire emerging from the bottom of the rocket in an orange glowing color, illuminating a cloud of smoke coming from the rocket as well.
A previous night launch at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches with NASA’s Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) spacecraft onboard from Launch Complex 39A, Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021. Launch occurred at 1:00 a.m. EST. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

While some satellites launch first into a temporary orbit, before moving into their permanent position, PACE will be directly injected into its final orbit, “an effectively instantaneous launch,” said Joel Parker, flight dynamics lead for PACE at Goddard.

This leaves little wiggle room for the launch time: a mere 90-second window for the launch to proceed. A tense minute and a half for years of striking data.

So while I’ll be prescribing a late afternoon nap for myself, I know that when I wake up, I’ll be getting ready to see PACE rocketed up to its new home – where it will provide a stunning new view of ours.

Header image caption: The dark water of the turn basin at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center mirrors the night lights and the Vehicle Assembly Building and Launch Control Center, silhouetted against the post-sunset sky. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

By Erica McNamee, Science Writer at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

Weather 40% Favorable for Tuesday PACE Mission Launch

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with NASA’s PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) spacecraft encapsulated atop is raised to a vertical position at Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Monday, Feb. 5, 2024. PACE is NASA’s newest earth-observing satellite that will help increase our understanding of Earth’s oceans, atmosphere, and climate by delivering hyperspectral observations of microscopic marine organisms called phytoplankton as well new data on clouds and aerosols. Liftoff of the PACE mission is set for no earlier than 1:33 a.m. EST on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with NASA’s PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) spacecraft encapsulated atop is raised to a vertical position at Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Monday, Feb. 5, 2024. Liftoff of the PACE mission is set for no earlier than 1:33 a.m. EST on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024. Photo credit: SpaceX

Launch weather officers with Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s 45th Weather Squadron predict a 40% chance of favorable weather conditions for the launch of NASA’s PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) mission at 1:33 a.m. EST Tuesday, Feb. 6, on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.  

Lingering showers and storms from the weekend will continue across the area today and into the overnight hours with accompanying winds expected to increase. The primary weather concerns at launch are cumulus clouds, thick cloud layers, and liftoff winds.  

The next available launch date is Wednesday, Feb. 7. Launch weather officers forecast a 60% chance of favorable conditions for this launch opportunity, with the cumulus cloud rule and liftoff winds as the primary weather concerns.

To learn more about the PACE mission, visit: 

https://pace.oceansciences.org/mission.htm 

Continue checking the PACE blog for additional mission updates, or join the conversation on social media by following these accounts: 

X: @NASA, @NASA_LSP, @NASAKennedy, @NASAGoddard
Facebook: NASA, NASA’s Launch Services Program, NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
Instagram: @NASA, @NASAKennedy, @NASAGoddard