NASA | End of SeaWiFS

The SEAWIFS mission, operational from 1997 to 2010, aimed to monitor ocean color to assess phytoplankton levels. Despite being designed for five years, it lasted over 13 years, facing harsh space conditions. The mission ended when communication with the spacecraft was lost. SEAWIFS transformed ocean color measurement from an experimental to a key parameter for future missions, ensuring its continued importance in oceanographic studies.

What was the primary goal of the SEAWIFS mission?

• To track ocean currents

• To monitor ocean color

• To measure ocean temperature

• To study marine life behavior

How long was the SEAWIFS mission originally supposed to last?

• 10 years

• 15 years

• 5 years

• 3 years

What was a significant challenge faced by the SEAWIFS mission in space?

• Lack of funding

• Harsh temperature fluctuations

• Inadequate technology

• Limited data storage

What happened to the SEAWIFS spacecraft in December?

• It completed its mission

• It was relocated

• Communication was lost

• It was upgraded

What impact did the SEAWIFS mission have on future space missions?

• It had no significant impact

• It led to the discontinuation of ocean studies

• It established ocean color as a key variable

• It was deemed a failure