The ozone layer, a critical system protecting life on Earth from harmful solar radiation, is facing an unprecedented crisis due to the impending loss of two vital satellites. As NASA’s Aura and Canada’s SCISAT near the end of their missions, scientists will lose access to daily global measurements of ozone-depleting gases, leaving them with limited data to track the health of the ozone layer.
The Ozone Layer: A Critical System on the Brink of Collapse
The ozone layer shields life on Earth from harmful solar radiation, but its monitoring is set to become increasingly difficult due to the impending loss of two critical satellites.
The ozone layer is a critical component of Earth's atmosphere, protecting life on our planet from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
It absorbs and scatters UVB rays, preventing them from reaching the surface.
The ozone layer is formed when oxygen molecules (O2) are split into individual atoms by UV radiation, which then combine with other O2 molecules to form ozone (O3).
Depletion of the ozone layer has been linked to human activities such as chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) emissions and stratospheric aerosol injection.
The Montreal Protocol, an international treaty, aims to reduce CFC emissions and protect the ozone layer.
The Impact of Satellite Loss
NASA‘s Aura and Canada‘s SCISAT, near the end of missions to monitor ozone-depleting substances. “Aura has been orbiting Earth for more than 20 years, but it will run out of power in mid-2026.” Aura has been orbiting Earth for more than 20 years, but it will run out of power in mid-2026. SCISAT took to the skies in 2003 and is already 18 years beyond its intended lifetime. The loss of these satellites means that scientists will lose access to daily global measurements of ozone-depleting gases.
A Data Desert Ahead
Without observations from both satellites, it will be more difficult to track how substances are harming the ozone layer. This is particularly concerning as wildfires and stratospheric aerosol injections could have significant impacts on the ozone layer. The loss of these satellites is a major concern for scientists who rely on them to monitor the health of the ozone layer.
What’s at Stake?
The ozone layer plays a critical role in protecting life on Earth from harmful solar radiation. “Without it, the effects of UV radiation would be catastrophic, leading to increased rates of skin cancer, cataracts, and other health problems.” Without it, the effects of UV radiation would be catastrophic, leading to increased rates of skin cancer, cataracts, and other health problems. The loss of the satellites means that scientists will no longer be able to monitor the impacts of substances that can damage the ozone layer.
Potential Successor Missions
Two potential successor missions are being considered by NASA and the European Space Agency. These include the “Changing-Atmosphere Infra-Red Tomography Explorer (CAIRT)” and the “Stratosphere Troposphere Response using Infrared Vertically-resolved light Explorer (STRIVE)”. Both of these satellites would provide global observations of ozone, water vapor, aerosols, and ozone-damaging compounds.
A Call to Action
The loss of the Aura and SCISAT satellites is a critical issue that requires immediate attention. Scientists need access to reliable data to monitor the health of the ozone layer and understand the impacts of substances that can damage it. The development of new satellite missions like CAIRT and STRIVE is essential to ensuring that this monitoring continues.
Conclusion
The ozone layer plays a critical role in protecting life on Earth, but its monitoring is set to become increasingly difficult due to the impending loss of two critical satellites. Scientists need access to reliable data to monitor the health of the ozone layer and understand the impacts of substances that can damage it. The development of new satellite missions like CAIRT and STRIVE is essential to ensuring that this monitoring continues.
