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Through the PREFIRE mission, NASA is set to explore the impact of clouds and water vapor in the polar regions on Earth’s radiative heat loss to space.
NASA is preparing to launch two compact satellites, each about the size of a shoebox, to probe a longstanding atmospheric enigma: the role of polar clouds and water vapor in Earth’s climate system.
The Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-InfraRed Experiment (PREFIRE) mission, a part of NASA’s CubeSat lineup, saw its first satellite take off from New Zealand on May 25. The subsequent launch for the second PREFIRE CubeSat is scheduled for June 1, with the launch window opening at 3 p.m. NZST (11 p.m. EDT on May 31).
PREFIRE’s objective is to measure the thermal radiation emitted into space from Earth’s poles, the coldest and most secluded areas on the globe. The data obtained will be instrumental in refining the computer models used by scientists to predict changes in Earth’s ice, ocean, and atmospheric systems as global temperatures rise.
The poles play a crucial part in balancing Earth’s temperature. While they receive less sunlight, the heat absorbed at the tropics is distributed toward them through weather patterns and ocean currents. Polar regions then radiate some of that heat back into space, much of it as far-infrared radiation. This heat exchange is fundamental to controlling the planet’s overall temperature and climatic activity.
However, far-infrared emissions in polar areas have never been consistently recorded, presenting a gap in scientific data that PREFIRE intends to fill. The mission will shed light on when and where the polar regions release far-infrared radiation, and how clouds and atmospheric water vapor affect this process.
Clouds and water vapor act as insulators for thermal radiation, having the potential to increase temperatures due to the greenhouse effect.
“Obtaining accurate cloud data is key for precise climate modeling,” stated Tristan L’Ecuyer, who is leading PREFIRE as the principal investigator at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Clouds and water vapor over the polar zones act akin to windows on a hot day. Clear, relatively moisture-free Arctic skies are like an open window letting heat escape, while cloudy and humid conditions act as a closed window, retaining heat.
The nature of clouds—high or low altitude and their composition—alters the amount of heat retained in the polar atmosphere. Low clouds with water droplets have a cooling influence, whereas high ice particle clouds tend to absorb and hold heat, leading to warming. Intricate mid-altitude clouds can produce mixed effects.
Studying clouds presents a challenge due to their transitory and complex nature. As precipitation occurs, shifts in water and energy dramatically change cloud characteristics, complicating their depiction in climate projections. PREFIRE aims to narrow the uncertainties resulting from divergent climate model representations of clouds.
Each PREFIRE satellite is equipped with a thermal infrared spectrometer to detect wavelengths in the elusive far-infrared range, crucial for identifying otherwise invisible clouds and determining whether their particles are composed of liquid or ice.
“PREFIRE will offer a novel perspective on cloud observation,” affirmed Brian Kahn, a scientist at JPL and part of the PREFIRE research team. “We’re entering uncharted territory, which is very exhilarating.”
The PREFIRE mission is a collaborative effort between NASA and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), a Caltech division in Pasadena, California, is managing the mission for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, while supplying the spectrometers. CubeSat manufacturer Blue Canyon Technologies fabricated the satellites, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison will be in charge of data processing and analysis.
NASA chose Rocket Lab under the Venture-class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare (VADR) contract to launch both PREFIRE spacecraft. CubeSats like these are proving their value in enabling innovative technology and architecture advancements, contributing to NASA’s broader scientific and exploratory goals.
For more information about PREFIRE, visit:
https://science.nasa.gov/mission/prefire/
Jane J. 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
2024-076
FAQ About NASA’s PREFIRE Mission
- What is the PREFIRE mission?
PREFIRE, or the Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-InfraRed Experiment, is a NASA mission involving two CubeSats designed to measure far-infrared radiation emitted from Earth’s polar regions to better understand the influence of clouds and water vapor on Earth’s climate. - Why are the poles important for Earth’s energy balance?
The poles receive less sunlight but help regulate Earth’s temperature by radiating absorbed heat from the tropics back into space. This process greatly influences the global climate and weather systems. - How will PREFIRE help improve climate models?
By providing detailed measurements of far-infrared radiation and cloud composition at the poles, PREFIRE will help refine climate models, potentially reducing current uncertainties in climate change projections. - What is the significance of CubeSats in this mission?
CubeSats offer a cost-effective, innovative platform for scientific and technological exploration. PREFIRE’s use of CubeSats showcases their potential in contributing to complex space missions and environmental research. - When were the PREFIRE CubeSats launched?
The first PREFIRE CubeSat launched on May 25, and the second is scheduled for June 1. These launches contribute to the advancement of polar climate research.