Biospheric Sciences

ECOsystem Spaceborne Thermal Radiometer Experiment on Space Station (ECOSTRESS)

Class:

Instrument

Status:

Operational

Organizations:

Launch Date:

June 2018

WEBSITE:

The ECOSTRESS mission is accurately measuring the temperature of plants on Earth. Plants regulate their temperature by releasing water through tiny pores on their leaves called stomata. If they have sufficient water they can maintain their temperature, but if there is insufficient water, their temperatures rise and this temperature rise can be measured with ECOSTRESS. The images acquired by ECOSTRESS are the most detailed temperature images of the surface ever acquired from space and can be used to measure the temperature of an individual farmers field.

      Image of ECOSTRESS instrument mounted on the ISS