The POT has taken a crucial step in the study of climate change with the launch of the first of two innovative climate satellites designed to analyze heat emissions at the poles of the Land. This project, known as PREFER (Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-InfraRed Experiment)will provide essential data to better understand atmospheric changes and predict future climate conditions.
The satellite, called CubeSat 1is the size of a shoe box and was launched aboard a rocket Rocket Lab Electron from the Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealandat 03:41 Eastern Time. Ground controllers confirmed the establishment of contact with the satellite approximately five hours later, at 08:48.
CubeSat 1 is equipped with a thermal infrared spectrometer and a thermocouple. These instruments will measure infrared light and thermal energy emitted by the Earth, providing data on climate variables such as atmospheric temperature, surface properties, water vapor and clouds. The PREFIRE mission seeks to fill a gap in the understanding of how much heat is lost to space from the Arctic and the Antarcticawhich is vital to improve climate projections.
“The PREFIRE mission will help close a gap in our understanding of how much Earth’s heat is lost to space from the Arctic and Antarctica,” NASA said in a statement. These data are crucial, since the thermal energy between the Sun and the Earth determines the temperature and climate of the planet. Karen St. Germaindirector of the NASA Earth Sciences Divisionhighlighted that the data collected by CubeSats will be crucial for various applications, from agriculture to the resilience of coastal communities.
Tristan L’Ecuyer, principal investigator of the project at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, added that PREFIRE will improve climate and weather models, helping people deal with the consequences of climate change. This project is particularly important for regions like the Arctic, where warming is occurring at an unprecedented rate.
The second satellite of the PREFIRE mission is scheduled to be launched in the coming days from the same complex in New Zealand, although the exact date has not yet been announced. If the first 30 days of CubeSat 1’s testing period are successful, both satellites will remain in space for at least ten months, collecting crucial data for scientists.
The project is a joint effort between NASA and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, which will be responsible for processing the data collected. This collaboration seeks to provide a deeper understanding of the effects of climate change at the poles and its global impact.
The launch of CubeSat 1 marks a significant milestone in climate research, providing new tools and data to address climate change. With the upcoming addition of the second satellite, the mission promises to offer valuable information that will help mitigate and adapt to the environmental changes facing our planet. @mundiario
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