How NASA tracks the invisible gases warming our home planet from above

While NASA is famous for deep space exploration, its Jet Propulsion Laboratory has spent decades monitoring Earth's health. This documentary explores the evolution of greenhouse gas measurement, tracing the technology from early pathfinding instruments to modern sensors currently orbiting on the International Space Station.

The 60-minute documentary, titled Sky High, is the 16th installment in the JPL and the Space Age series. It examines the technical progression of atmospheric monitoring, specifically focusing on the tools used to track greenhouse gases. The narrative highlights the transition from early scientific instruments like AIRS to the sophisticated Orbiting Carbon Observatory 3.

These efforts rely on a diverse array of platforms, including balloons, aircraft, satellites, and the International Space Station. By utilizing these varied vantage points, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory continues to refine its ability to measure the composition of Earth's atmosphere.

Source: JPL and the Space Age: Sky High