Rocket Lab successfully launched the first of a pair of climate satellites designed for NASA from its Launch Complex 1 in Māhia, New Zealand. The satellite is part of the PREFIRE (Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-InfraRed Experiment) mission, which aims to study heat emissions at Earth’s poles. The CubeSats, compact satellites the size of shoeboxes, will collect data to help researchers better understand how Earth’s polar regions affect the planet’s energy balance.
NASA’s Earth Science Division director, Karen St. Germain, highlighted the significance of the PREFIRE mission in improving predictions related to sea ice loss, ice sheet melt, and sea level rise. The mission aims to provide crucial information for various sectors, from agriculture to coastal communities, navigating the impacts of a changing climate.
Ground controllers confirmed successful communication with the CubeSat shortly after its launch. The second satellite in the PREFIRE mission is scheduled to launch in the coming days, with a 30-day checkout period to ensure both satellites are operating as expected. The mission is expected to last 10 months, collecting data on Earth’s energy budget and the far-infrared radiation emitted from the Arctic and Antarctica.
The CubeSats are equipped with thermal infrared spectrometers to measure infrared wavelengths. Tristan L’Ecuyer, the principal investigator for the PREFIRE mission, emphasized the importance of these measurements in improving climate and weather models. The mission’s collaboration between NASA and the University of Wisconsin-Madison showcases the collaborative efforts to advance scientific research in understanding Earth’s energy balance.
The launch services for the PREFIRE mission were provided by Rocket Lab USA Inc., with NASA’s Launch Services Program and the Earth System Science Pathfinder Program managing the mission. With the University of Wisconsin-Madison processing the data collected by the instruments, the PREFIRE mission represents a significant step in filling gaps in knowledge related to Earth’s energy budget and climate change impacts.
To learn more about the PREFIRE mission and its objectives, NASA provides additional information on their website. The successful launch of the first CubeSat marks a milestone in NASA’s efforts to enhance our understanding of Earth’s energy balance and the effects of global warming on our planet’s polar regions.