StationLIFE: Observing the Earth – April 2016.

Every month on StationLIFE, we’ll focus on a scientific area where the International Space Station is conducting groundbreaking research. This month, astronaut Tracy Dyson talks about studies focused on Earth taking place aboard the International Space Station.

The International Space Station is part of a fleet of Earth remote-sensing platforms to develop a scientific understanding of Earth’s systems and its response to natural or human-induced changes and to improve prediction of climate, weather, and natural hazards. Unlike automated remote-sensing platforms, the station has a human crew, a low-orbit altitude, and orbital parameters that provide variable views and lighting. It also has an inclined, sun-asynchronous orbit that carries it over 90 percent of the inhabited surface of the Earth and allows for the ISS to pass over ground locations at different times of the day and night. This is different and complimentary to other orbiting satellites.