Groundwater is a vital resource for humanity as it supports industries and agriculture and enables the life of ecosystems globally. Only 2.5% of all the water we have on the planet is freshwater ready for consumption. Out of this amount, about a third is hidden from human eyes. That is why scientists are looking for sufficient detection methods that would help to understand the groundwater movement and where it can be found. Nowadays, traditional methods of finding groundwater are not always effective as they are time-consuming and costly, and they cannot be applied in some politically unstable regions. The best solution in this case is the application of space-based technologies, such as satellite buses on https://dragonflyaerospace.com/satellite-buses/. In this article, we will try to understand how satellites help us understand the availability of aqua and why satellite buses are the best solutions for finding groundwater.
Why Groundwater Detection from Space is the Outcome
Groundwater is not visible to human eyes, but it remains a drinking source for billions of people. This water is stored in the so-called aquifers, and about half of humanity takes drinking water from there. The amount of it in aquifers is huge. It’s much bigger than the amount of fresh water on the surface. However, it cannot be taken uncontrolled from there without causing severe side effects. When too much water is taken from one place, the surface there can sink and cause a disaster for the environment around.
It isn’t easy to measure the amount without special equipment. Some aquifers are hidden in hard-to-access areas, and the equipment to assess these areas is too expensive. Only a few countries can afford to use it. That is why remote sensing of groundwater is needed. To solve this task, space engineers managed to construct satellite buses for groundwater detection. Even though it is not visible, it does move, and satellites are sensitive to this movement and can capture it.
The core essence here lies in the Earth’s gravitational pull. When water moves, the gravitational pull also changes. This fact allows scientists to understand whether resources are changing or not. The groundwater satellite data is always updated and used by scientists. Thus, for example, a Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) mission revealed that 13 out of the 37 largest aquifers in the world were almost drained by humanity, and no substantial recharge is being noticed.
Which Satellite Bus is Used to Detect Underground Water?
Satellite buses make underground water detection possible due to specified instruments. Gravimeters and microwave sensors are widely used for these purposes. The first evaluates the changes in the Earth’s gravity field. With its help, we can measure the losses inside the ground and whether any recharging is present. The microwave type helps detect the moisture level of the ground, which in turn indicates the presence of groundwater and its recharge potential.
So, what technology is used to detect groundwater? We have almost answered this question. It’s time to mention some examples to better understand the case. One such technology is the above-mentioned GRACE mission. Here, we can also add the GRACE-FO, a successor mission. These two missions consist of two satellites flying together and measuring the distance between them. Earth’s gravitational pull impacts this distance and helps determine the movement of underground water.
The role of the satellite bus in these missions is critical. It ensures the proper orientation of both satellites in space and uninterrupted communication with Earth to transmit the observation results. Additionally, the bus protects sensitive components and the groundwater satellite data from extreme temperatures and radiation in outer space.
Future Trends
Considering that satellite buses are becoming more compact and cost-effective, more companies or universities will be able to launch space missions with groundwater investigation goals. Artificial intelligence is also expected to be more integrated into satellite buses. This will enable more autonomous data storage, processing, and decision-making processes. Additionally, it will help to promptly adjust the work according to the fast-changing weather conditions. And the data can be gathered from several satellites simultaneously to cover a broader area of groundwater investigation.
As can be seen, satellite buses can be used to investigate the Earth’s gravitational pull, which tells us about water movements on the surface and underground. The observation results can highlight whether the level is decreasing or increasing. This understanding will help us better manage the resources regardless of their origin and location.
