The Aquarius/SAC-D Satellite, Explained

Eric Lindstrom

Program Scientist
NASA Headquarters

Dr. Lindstrom has degrees in Earth and Planetary Sciences and Physical Oceanography from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Washington, respectively. His scientific interests include circulation of the ocean and air-sea exchange processes. Read more about Dr. Lindstrom here.

Webinar Clip
There are many earth-observing satellites currently orbiting Planet Earth, but what does one look like up close? In this clip, Dr. Lindstrom walks us through the inner workings of the Aquarius/SAC-D satellite, whose current mission is to measure ocean salinity or "saltiness" from space. Viewers are able to see, through extensive, up-close photos, the assembly of the satellite as it passed through many laboratories and countries.

Full webinar: From Sailing Ships to Satellites: Studying Salinity Through a Sensor Web

Click here for a transcript of this clip (PDF, 42.5 KB).

Resources
Applicable Science Standards
  • Asking Questions and Defining Problems Asking Questions and Defining Problems. A practice of science is to ask and refine questions that lead to descriptions and explanations of how the natural and designed world(s) works and which can be empirically tested.
  • Planning and Carrying Out Investigations Planning and Carrying Out Investigations. Scientists and engineers plan and carry out investigations in the field or laboratory, working collaboratively as well as individually. Their investigations are systematic and require clarifying what counts as data and identifying variables or parameters.