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    "description": "Aquarius is a focused satellite mission to measure global Sea Surface Salinity. After its planned 09-Jun-11 launch, it will provide the global view of salinity variability needed for climate studies. The Aquarius / SAC-D mission is being developed by NASA and the Space Agency of Argentina (Comision Nacional de Actividades Espaciales, CONAE). The satellite model depicted in this animation is an artist rendition and intentionally exaggerated so as to remain visible as it flies around the globe. Had the satellite model been rendered true-to-scale, it would not be visible when we pull out to see the full earth. || ",
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    "update_date": "2023-05-03T13:53:48.793473-04:00",
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                "employer": "UMBC"
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            "description": "Print resolution image of Aquarius collecting data over the Pacific Ocean.  The night lights of the United States and Mexico can be seen towards the upper right.",
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                {
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                {
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            ]
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        {
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                {
                    "name": "Shiloh Heurich",
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                    "name": "James W. Williams",
                    "employer": "Global Science and Technology, Inc."
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    "missions": [],
    "series": [
        "Aquarius Pre-Launch"
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    "nasa_science_categories": [
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    "keywords": [
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    "related": [
        {
            "id": 11604,
            "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/11604/",
            "page_type": "Produced Video",
            "title": "NASA's Aquarius Returns Global Maps of Soil Moisture",
            "description": "NASA's Aquarius instrument has released its first released worldwide maps of soil moisture. Soil moisture, the water contained within soil particles, is an important player in Earth's water cycle. This animated version of Aquarius' measurements reveals a dynamic pattern of worldwide shifts between dry and moist soils.Here is the YouTube video. || ",
            "release_date": "2014-07-07T13:00:00-04:00",
            "update_date": "2024-10-10T00:16:15.511322-04:00",
            "main_image": {
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                "filename": "Aquarius_soil_moisture_maps_on_rotating_globe_youtube_hq_print.jpg",
                "media_type": "Image",
                "alt_text": "This is a rotating globe with soil moisture maps made by the Aquarius instrument aboard the Aquarius/SAC-D satellite.",
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        },
        {
            "id": 10771,
            "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/10771/",
            "page_type": "Produced Video",
            "title": "A Pinch Of Salt From Space",
            "description": "NASA gave the command last week to power on its newest Earth-observing satellite, Aquarius. It may seem a somewhat peculiar measurement to make, but Aquarius, which launched in June 2011, will measure salinity across all the oceans every week. The data will undoubtedly help answer some of our most pressing questions about climate change. Why measure ocean salinity? The density of ocean water is determined by salinity and water temperature. Density drives the pattern of deep ocean currents, and ocean currents drive global climate. In recent decades, scientists have seen ocean salinity shift in ways that only climate change seems able to explain. Until now, salinity data came from slow-moving ships and a network of floating sensors that could only provide a limited global picture. Satellite technology changes that: From 400 miles (644 km) above Earth Aquarius' hypersensitive microwave radiometer can detect differences in ocean salinity to within a pinch of salt in a gallon of water. Let the science begin. || ",
            "release_date": "2011-08-23T00:00:00-04:00",
            "update_date": "2023-05-03T13:53:40.949018-04:00",
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                "media_type": "Image",
                "alt_text": "What does salinity have to do with ocean currents and climate change?",
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        }
    ],
    "sources": [],
    "products": [],
    "newer_versions": [],
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