NASA and Partners Conduct Ocean Research Off Uruguay to Validate Satellite Data
NASA's Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, and ocean Ecosystem (PACE) Validation Science Teams (PVST) have collaborated with the Schmidt Ocean Institute and the Symbiotic Partners and Asgard Research Cruise (SPARC) to conduct research off the coast of Uruguay. This expedition, which took place from mid-November to early December 2025, aimed to gather data to validate the PACE Ocean Color Instrument's parameters. The research focused on measuring particulate organic carbon, phytoplankton pigments, and surface ocean optical properties. These efforts are crucial for understanding the ocean's biological and chemical processes and for improving satellite data accuracy. The expedition also involved studying archaea, microorganisms believed to be ancestors of eukaryotes, to better understand their role in ocean ecosystems. 
