Europe probe tracks global warming impact on water

The European Space Agency (ESA) has launched a water tracking satellite that will provide faster predictions of floods and other extreme weather incidents caused by global warming. The satellite will also gauge the impact of climate change on the movement of water across land, air and sea. Experts say that the functions of the satellite will help meteorologists to make more accurate results in near-real time. Since scientists rely heavily on computer models to project weather and climate patterns, the additional data will make predictions more accurate.
The satellite has two intertwined missions.
Firstly, it measures soil water content to a depth of one-to-two metres across the planet every three days to help forecast drought and flood risk.In addition, it calculates Earth's carbon cycle, the process by which heat-trapping carbon dioxide is released and absorbed, especially by plants and the oceans. This is largely helpful since scientists agree that climate change is heavily caused by CO2 pollution that has upset that natural balance.
Secondly, the satellite measures changes in the salt content of sea surface waters, which will enhance understanding of what drives global ocean circulation patterns. Ocean circulation helps moderate climate, notably by transporting heat from the equator to the poles.
Some studies have suggested that global warming could disrupt these cycles and dramatically alter regional weather patterns.
These data will be collected by the large Microwave Imaging Radiometer with Aperture Synthesis (MIRAS) which measure the temperature of the reflection of the Earth's surface in the microwave frequency range.
Another ESA satellite was sent into space, Proba-2, which was designed to demonstrate innovative in-orbit technologies. It will test a new type of lithium-ion battery, an advanced data and power management system, a dual-frequency GPS receiver, an experimental solar panel, an exploration micro-camera and a dozen other technologies. In addition, it will also conduct experiments related to solar observation and space weather. The launch Monday is the second of ESA's Earth Explorer missions to collect data on the impact of human activities on the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere and interior.
The Atmospheric Dynamics Mission (ADM-Aeolus) which will measure wind profiles from space will be scheduled for lauch in 2011.