NASA has offered satellite technology to Brazil to assist in monitoring the destruction of the Amazon rainforest. The announcement was made by NASA Administrator Bill Nelson during his recent visit to Brazil, where he visited the country’s space agency and discussed the potential collaboration.
The satellite, known as NISAR, is expected to be completed by January and will have the capability to capture real-time images of the rainforest, even from beneath the forest cover. This advanced technology will enable scientists and decision-makers to better understand what is happening in the Amazon, particularly in cases of deforestation, food insecurity, and natural disasters.
Brazil, which heavily relies on satellite imagery to monitor the rainforest, often faces challenges due to cloud cover that hinders the capture of clear and timely images. The new satellite technology provided by NASA is expected to address this issue and provide an extreme ability to understand what is happening to the rainforest.
NASA’s offer comes as Brazil continues its efforts to combat deforestation and preserve the Amazon rainforest. The South American country has launched several satellites in partnership with China since 1999 to gather data on agricultural operations and the environment.
During his visit, Nelson also met with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and expressed his gratitude for the president’s continuous efforts to save the Amazon rainforest. The NASA chief, who himself flew aboard NASA’s Space Shuttle Columbia in 1986, witnessed the destruction of the rainforest from space and understands the importance of protecting this vital ecosystem.
The collaboration between NASA and Brazil’s space agency will strengthen the monitoring and conservation efforts of the Amazon rainforest. By leveraging advanced satellite technology, scientists and decision-makers will have access to real-time data that can aid in predicting and addressing environmental changes, protecting the rainforest from further destruction.
Overall, the offer by NASA to provide satellite technology to Brazil marks an important step forward in the fight against deforestation and the preservation of the Amazon rainforest. This collaboration has the potential to significantly enhance monitoring capabilities and support efforts to protect one of the most vital and diverse ecosystems on the planet.
