The technologies used in current Earth Observation satellites have intrinsic uncertainties (measurement errors) that do not matter for individual missions but matter a great deal when we need to study the small incremental changes over long periods of time that are typical of Climate Change.
Dr Nigel Fox describes the need for a calibration laboratory in space (called TRUTHS), that would enable scientists to correct errors in the data from other satellites.
TRUTHS or a similar capability would enable scientists to improve the computerised climate models, helping us to better understand Climate Change and the impact of any measures we might take to reduce Global Warming.
Recording Crown Copyright 2006. Reproduced by permission of the Controller of HMSO and Queen's Printer for Scotland. This lecture include images and video sequences courtesy of the European Space Agency (ESA), NASA, NIST and NOAA.
