Launched in 2003, the Canadian Space Agency’s SCISAT satellite tracks changes in the composition of the atmosphere including the precious ozone layer. The satellite provides accurate measurement of chemicals migrating upwards – chemicals that can react with the atmosphere and alter its UV protection for life below.
Originally intended to last two years and provide a snapshot view of the chemical processes, SCISAT celebrates 21 years in orbit in August 2024. The satellite has far exceeded the expectations of the scientific community and has become the international benchmark for high altitude atmospheric composition vertical profiling. When it was first launched, SCISAT’s orbit was selected to optimize measurements around the North Pole where the ozone hole was identified in the mid 1980’s.
“We are very proud that the SCISAT data is used by scientists around the world to monitor the health of our earth’s atmosphere, the thin gas layer in which life is made possible,” said Frederic J. Grandmont, ABB Measurement & Analytics. “All sorts of emissions generated by human activities accumulate in this ‘giant closed room’. It is critical to keep a watchful eye on what’s happening and that is exactly what SCISAT does.”