Sensors aboard NASA's Terra (launched 1999), Aqua (launched 2002), and Aura (launched 2004) satellites are still collecting valuable data. However, depleted fuel reserves mean that all three of these Earth Observing System (EOS) satellites are nearing their end of life. All three satellites currently have sufficient remaining propellant to continue operations for a few more years, but the amount of propellant is insufficient to maintain the platforms in controlled equatorial Mean Local Time (MLT) polar orbits. The resulting orbital drift of the platforms may provide observations of unique value that would be unobtainable from the original orbits. The free, two-day virtual Terra, Aqua, Aura Drifting Orbits Workshop will review input from the Request for Information (RFI) and discuss potential observations that may conducted during orbital drift.
The workshop takes place Nov 1-2, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., EDT [UTC -4], each day.