"Canadian Satellite Defies Expectations, Thrives in Space for 20 Years"
The Canadian satellite, Scisat, which was originally designed to last only two years, is celebrating its 20th launch anniversary and continues to provide valuable data on climate change. The satellite's longevity can be attributed to its low fuel consumption, constant updates to track more gases and chemical species, and a dedicated team of staff who maintain and understand the spacecraft hardware. Scisat has made significant contributions, including identifying pollutants in the atmosphere and tracking atmospheric pollutants from wildfires. While there is no direct successor planned for Scisat, Canada is developing WildFireSat to track active fires. The satellite's extended lifespan highlights the importance of ensuring new missions are launched to replace aging satellites and enhance scientific understanding of Earth's systems.