How NASA's PACE mission hopes to examine oceanic and atmospheric mysteries

NASA's PACE mission stands for Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud and ocean Ecosystem.

While NASA is known for observing and researching outer space, the agency is also using a spacecraft to explore a frontier here on Earth – the world's oceanic and atmospheric mysteries.

NASA's PACE spacecraft is set to launch with a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Wednesday at 1:33 a.m., local time, according to the agency.

PACE stands for Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem and the spacecraft will be used "to collect data on clouds, aerosols and phytoplankton growth that can determine ocean color," according to NASA's Feb. 1 press release.

"Measuring the color and amount of light will help scientists better understand the types and locations of microscopic algae, which are vital to the health of Earth's oceans and its marine life," the agency said. "PACE will contribute to NASA's more than 20 years of global satellite observations of ocean biology and key measurements related to air quality and climate."