NASA has scheduled a media teleconference for 3 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, May 15, to discuss the PREFIRE (Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-InfraRed Experiment) mission. The mission’s objective is to advance our understanding of Earth’s climate by examining the polar regions’ heat emissions, which can inform and improve climate change forecasts and sea-level rise projections.
One of the two compact satellites designed for the mission is slated for lift-off on a Rocket Lab Electron rocket no earlier than Wednesday, May 22. Notifications regarding the launch of the second satellite will follow the successful deployment of the first.
Most of the Sun’s energy received by Earth is concentrated at the equator. This energy is then transferred towards the poles through atmospheric and oceanic movements and eventually escapes into space, particularly via far-infrared wavelengths. This specific type of heat radiation has not yet been comprehensively measured—PREFIRE seeks to close that gap. This data is crucial for enhancing models of climate change and anticipating changes in sea levels.
The briefing will be made available as an audio stream on the NASA website.
The panel for the teleconference will include:
- Karen St. Germain, Earth Science Division Director, NASA Headquarters in Washington
- Mary White, PREFIRE Project Manager, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California
- Tristan L’Ecuyer, PREFIRE Principal Investigator, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Peter Beck, Rocket Lab CEO, and Founder
Journalists planning to join the call must contact Elizabeth Vlock at elizabeth.a.vlock@nasa.gov to RSVP at least two hours in advance.
Further details about NASA’s PREFIRE mission are available here:
https://science.nasa.gov/missions/prefire
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Karen Fox / Elizabeth Vlock
Headquarters, Washington
karen.c.fox@nasa.gov / elizabeth.a.vlock@nasa.gov
Jane Lee / Andrew Wang
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.
818-354-0307 / 626-379-6874
jane.j.lee@jpl.nasa.gov / andrew.wang@jpl.nasa.gov
FAQ
- What is NASA’s PREFIRE mission?
PREFIRE is a NASA mission focused on measuring the heat loss from Earth’s polar regions in the far-infrared spectrum to better understand the effects on climate change and sea level rise. - When is the PREFIRE mission’s first satellite scheduled to launch?
The first satellite is expected to launch no earlier than Wednesday, May 22, aboard a Rocket Lab Electron rocket. - How can media participate in the teleconference?
Media representatives must RSVP by contacting Elizabeth Vlock at elizabeth.a.vlock@nasa.gov at least two hours before the teleconference’s scheduled time. - Where can I find more information about the PREFIRE mission?
More details are available on NASA’s website at https://science.nasa.gov/missions/prefire.
Conclusion
The PREFIRE mission represents a key step towards enhancing our understanding of Earth’s climate system, particularly regarding the poles’ role in heat exchange. By leveraging this mission’s forthcoming data, scientists can refine predictive models for climate change and sea-level adjustments, which is invaluable for environmental planning and mitigation strategies. The upcoming teleconference will offer invaluable insights into PREFIRE’s goals, launch details, and the broader impact of NASA’s Earth science initiatives.