#ClimateModels - ALLTHINGSGEO

Climate Change Experiments: NASA’s PREFIRE CubeSats Start Groundbreaking Mission

Key Takeaway:

NASA’s PREFIRE mission, comprising two CubeSats launched on Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket, aims to study Earth’s polar regions and improve climate models. The data collected will help predict changes in ice, sea levels, and weather patterns in a warming world.

Summary

Mission Overview: PREFIRE’s goal is to understand how Earth’s poles regulate the planet’s energy balance.
Launch Details: Two CubeSats launched from Māhia, New Zealand, with the second launch on June 5, 2024.
Scientific Objectives: Study far-infrared radiation emissions from the Arctic and Antarctic.
Technological Innovation: Use of miniaturized thermal infrared spectrometers.
Impact: Improved climate and weather prediction models.
Collaboration: Joint effort between NASA, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Blue Canyon Technologies.

Introduction

NASA has embarked on a pioneering mission to study the impact of climate change on Earth’s polar regions. This mission, known as PREFIRE (Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-InfraRed Experiment), utilizes two small CubeSats equipped with advanced thermal infrared spectrometers. Launched on Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket from Māhia, New Zealand, these CubeSats aim to provide crucial data to enhance our understanding of climate dynamics and improve predictive models.

PREFIRE Mission Overview

The PREFIRE mission is designed to fill a critical gap in our understanding of how Earth’s poles influence the global climate system. By measuring far-infrared radiation emitted from the Arctic and Antarctic, scientists can gain insights into the energy balance of our planet. This information is vital for predicting changes in ice cover, sea levels, and weather patterns as the climate continues to warm.

Launch Details and Mission Timeline

The PREFIRE mission consists of two CubeSats, each about the size of a shoebox. The first CubeSat was launched on May 25, 2024, followed by the second on June 5, 2024. Both launches took place from Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 1 in Māhia, New Zealand. Following a 30-day checkout period, during which engineers and scientists will verify the CubeSats’ functionality, the mission is expected to operate for ten months.

Table 1: Launch Details

Event	Date	Location
First CubeSat Launch	May 25, 2024	Māhia, New Zealand
Second CubeSat Launch	June 5, 2024	Māhia, New Zealand
Mission Duration	10 months	Near-polar orbits

Scientific Objectives

The primary scientific objective of the PREFIRE mission is to measure far-infrared radiation from Earth’s polar regions. The poles act as radiators, shedding much of the heat absorbed at the tropics back into space. Understanding this process is crucial for modeling the Earth’s energy budget and predicting climate change impacts.

Technological Innovation

Each PREFIRE CubeSat carries a thermal infrared spectrometer, an instrument designed to measure infrared wavelengths. The spectrometers use specially shaped mirrors and sensors, miniaturized to fit within the compact CubeSat frame. These advanced sensors are more sensitive than previous instruments, allowing for more precise measurements.

Impact on Climate and Weather Models

The data collected by the PREFIRE mission will enhance our understanding of how polar regions contribute to Earth’s overall energy balance. This information will improve the accuracy of climate and weather prediction models, leading to better forecasts and more informed decision-making.

Table 2: Expected Impacts of PREFIRE Data

Area of Impact	Description
Sea Level Rise	Improved predictions of melting ice and rising seas
Weather Patterns	Better understanding of polar influence on weather
Snow and Ice Cover	Accurate tracking of changes in polar ice sheets
Climate Models	Enhanced models for long-term climate predictions

The PREFIRE mission is a collaborative effort involving several key partners. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) manages the mission, with the University of Wisconsin-Madison responsible for data processing. Blue Canyon Technologies built the CubeSats, while Rocket Lab USA Inc. provided the launch services. The mission is part of NASA’s Venture-class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare (VADR) launch services contract.

The PREFIRE mission represents a significant step forward in climate research. By providing detailed measurements of far-infrared radiation from Earth’s polar regions, it will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the climate system. This knowledge is essential for developing effective strategies to reduce and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

NASA’s PREFIRE mission is a groundbreaking effort to study the far-infrared radiation emitted from Earth’s polar regions. The data collected by the two CubeSats will enhance our understanding of the planet’s energy balance and improve climate and weather prediction models. This mission exemplifies the power of collaboration and technological innovation in advancing our knowledge of climate change and its impacts on Earth.

For additional information about PREFIRE, please visit:

https://science.nasa.gov/mission/prefire/

Hashtags:

#NASA, #PREFIRE, #ClimateChange, #CubeSats, #PolarResearch, #EarthScience, #InfraredRadiation, #ClimateModels, #EnvironmentalScience

Keep Reading

PREFIRE Mission by NASA Set to Explore Earth’s Poles

Key Takeaway

NASA’s PREFIRE mission is set to enhance our understanding of heat emissions from Earth’s poles using a pair of cubesats designed to measure far-infrared radiation. This data will provide critical insights into the rapidly changing polar climates and their global impacts.

Summary

Mission Name: Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-Infrared Experiment (PREFIRE)
Objective: Measure heat emissions from Earth’s polar regions
Satellites: Two cubesats, “Ready, Aim, PREFIRE” and “PREFIRE and ICE”
Launch Dates: May 22 (Ready, Aim, PREFIRE), a few days later (PREFIRE and ICE)
Launch Site: Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 1, Māhia, New Zealand
Primary Instrument: Thermal infrared spectrometers
Key Measurements: Far-infrared radiation (wavelengths > 15 microns)
Significance: Data to improve climate models, predict sea level rise, and understand polar climate impacts
Accessibility: Open and freely available data for global scientists
Partners: University of Wisconsin-Madison, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Similar Missions: Mars Climate Sounder (MCS), Diviner Lunar Radiometer Experiment

The PREFIRE Mission

Heat emissions from Earth’s polar regions are a critical component of our planet’s climate system. However, we know surprisingly little about how this heat is lost to space. NASA’s Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-Infrared Experiment (PREFIRE) aims to change that. This mission, involving two small cubesats, will provide unprecedented data on the far-infrared radiation emitted from the Arctic and Antarctic, offering new insights into the polar climate and its broader impacts on global weather systems.

Mission Overview

The Satellites

PREFIRE consists of two cubesats, rightly named “Ready, Aim, PREFIRE” and “PREFIRE and ICE.” These compact satellites, each about the size of a loaf of bread, will launch separately into near-polar orbits. The first cubesat is scheduled to launch on May 22, 2024, aboard a Rocket Lab Electron rocket from Māhia, New Zealand. The second will follow a few days later.

Scientific Goals

The primary goal of PREFIRE is to measure far-infrared radiation, specifically wavelengths longer than 15 microns. This spectrum accounts for approximately 60% of the total heat lost at the poles. “We’ve never measured that before,” said Tristan L’Ecuyer, PREFIRE’s Principal Investigator at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, emphasizing the mission’s groundbreaking nature.

The Importance of Polar Heat Emissions

Rapid Arctic Warming

The Arctic is experiencing warming at a rate faster than any other region on Earth, leading to significant changes in local ecosystems and global weather patterns. Understanding how heat is emitted from this region is crucial for predicting future climate changes. “Ultimately, [PREFIRE] information is going to be combined with our climate models,” L’Ecuyer explained, “and hopefully we’ll be able to improve our ability to simulate what sea level rise might look like in the future.”

Global Climate Impacts

The data collected by PREFIRE will be invaluable in refining our climate models, particularly in understanding how polar changes affect weather systems worldwide. This includes better predictions of phenomena such as sea level rise and extreme weather events.

Technical Specifications

Instruments and Design

Each PREFIRE cubesat is equipped with a single thermal infrared spectrometer. These instruments are scaled-down versions of technology used in previous NASA missions, such as the Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3) and the Mars Climate Sounder (MCS). Mary White, PREFIRE Project Manager at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, noted, “We’ve adapted proven technology for a cost-effective, focused mission.”

Dual-Satellite Approach

Having two satellites provides a unique advantage. “Having one cubesat would be able to sort of map out what the emission looks like in the polar regions,” said L’Ecuyer. “We’ll be using the two cubesats to make measurements over the course of several hours, taking the difference between those measurements and trying to understand how the processes that are occurring in the Arctic are actually affecting the emission from the Arctic.”

Broader Context and Collaboration

Part of a Larger Effort

PREFIRE fits into NASA’s broader strategy of combining large-scale missions with smaller, specialized ones to create a comprehensive understanding of Earth’s climate system. Karen St. Germain, NASA’s Earth Science Division director, explained, “NASA needs both our large missions and these smaller missions… to answer this full range of questions we have about understanding the Earth as a system.”

Data Accessibility

In line with NASA’s commitment to open science, all data collected by PREFIRE will be freely available to the public. This ensures that researchers worldwide can access and utilize this valuable information to further our collective understanding of climate dynamics. “All NASA data are open and freely available to all scientists or all people who are interested around the world,” White confirmed.

Expected Outcomes

Enhanced Climate Models

The insights gained from PREFIRE will significantly enhance our climate models. By providing detailed measurements of far-infrared radiation, scientists can better understand the heat exchange processes at the poles and their influence on global climate systems. This will improve predictions of future climate scenarios, including the rate and impact of sea level rise.

Informed Policy Decisions

The data from PREFIRE will not only advance scientific knowledge but also inform policy decisions related to climate change mitigation and adaptation. Accurate climate models are essential for developing effective strategies to address the ongoing and future impacts of global warming.

Tables

Table 1: Key Details of PREFIRE Mission

Component	Details
Mission Name	Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-Infrared Experiment (PREFIRE)
Objective	Measure heat emissions from Earth’s polar regions
Satellites	Two cubesats: “Ready, Aim, PREFIRE” and “PREFIRE and ICE”
Launch Dates	May 22, 2024 (Ready, Aim, PREFIRE), a few days later (PREFIRE and ICE)
Launch Site	Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 1, Māhia, New Zealand
Primary Instrument	Thermal infrared spectrometers
Measurement Focus	Far-infrared radiation (wavelengths > 15 microns)
Data Accessibility	Open and freely available to the public
Partners	University of Wisconsin-Madison, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Table 2: Similar NASA Missions and Technologies

Mission	Objective	Key Instrument	Outcome
Mars Climate Sounder (MCS)	Study Martian atmosphere and climate	Thermal infrared spectrometer	Improved understanding of Martian climate processes
Diviner Lunar Radiometer Experiment	Measure lunar surface temperatures	Radiometer	Detailed thermal maps of the Moon’s surface
Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3)	Map mineral composition of the Moon	Imaging spectrometer	Discovery of water/hydroxyl on the lunar surface

NASA’s PREFIRE mission represents a significant step forward in our understanding of the polar climate and its global impacts. By measuring far-infrared radiation from the Arctic and Antarctic, PREFIRE will provide critical data to improve climate models, predict sea level rise, and understand the broader effects of polar climate change. The mission’s open data policy ensures that scientists worldwide can access and utilize this information, fostering global collaboration in the fight against climate change.

With PREFIRE, NASA continues to lead the way in climate research, combining cutting-edge technology with a commitment to open science and international cooperation. As the mission unfolds, the data collected will be invaluable in our efforts to understand and mitigate the impacts of a warming world.

Hashtags

#NASA, #PREFIRE, #ClimateChange, #EarthScience, #PolarResearch, #FarInfrared, #Cubesats, #ArcticWarming, #GlobalWarming, #ClimateModels, #SpaceResearch, #NASAClimate, #OpenScience

Keep Reading