The impending loss of NASA’s Aura and the Canadian Space Agency’s SCISAT satellites threatens scientists’ ability to closely monitor compounds that destroy ozone and alter stratospheric circulation. This loss of vigilance will hinder researchers’ understanding of the ozone layer’s recovery and potential impacts from wildfires and stratospheric aerosol injections.
Forecast for 6 months: Within the next 6 months, scientists will begin to feel the effects of the loss of Aura and SCISAT, as they struggle to maintain their current level of monitoring and research on the ozone layer.
Forecast for 1 year: By the end of 2026, Aura’s solar panels will be unable to power its operations, and SCISAT will likely follow suit, leading to a significant loss of data on ozone-destroying gases and stratospheric circulation.
Forecast for 5 years: Over the next 5 years, the lack of data from Aura and SCISAT will hinder researchers’ ability to track the effects of human-made substances on the ozone layer, potentially leading to a decrease in our understanding of the ozone layer’s recovery and potential impacts from wildfires and stratospheric aerosol injections.
Forecast for 10 years: By 2035, the loss of Aura and SCISAT will have a lasting impact on our understanding of the ozone layer, potentially leading to a decrease in our ability to mitigate the effects of human-made substances on the ozone layer and a decrease in our understanding of the ozone layer’s recovery.
