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Polar Radiant Energy in the Far Infrared Experiment (EVI-4) (PREFIRE)
Status:
Current
Mission Category:
Earth System Science Pathfinder Program, Earth Venture Class, Earth Venture-Instrument
Launch Date: 2024
The Polar Radiant Energy in the Far Infrared Experiment (PREFIRE) is flying a pair of small CubeSat satellites to probe a little-studied portion of the radiant energy emitted by Earth for clues about Arctic warming, sea ice loss, and ice-sheet melting. PREFIRE will fly miniaturized thermal infrared spectrometers on two CubeSat satellites, each about the size of a loaf of bread. The sensors are based on technology previously flown on the Mars Climate Sounder, an instrument on NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. The CubeSats will orbit Earth’s poles to measure far-infrared emissions and how they change throughout the day and over seasons. The observations will allow scientists to assess how changes in thermal infrared emissions at the top of Earth’s atmosphere are related to changes in cloud cover and surface conditions below, such as the amount of sea ice and meltwater on the surface of the ice. Tristan L’Ecuyer of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, is the principal investigator. The first PREFIRE satellite launched on May 25, 2024. The second CubeSat launched on June 5, 2024.
Key Polar Radiant Energy in the Far Infrared Experiment (EVI-4) Facts
| Mission/Portal Page: | https://science.jpl.nasa.gov/projects/PREFIRE |
|---|---|
| Altitude:Distance from sea level. | 470km |
| Inclination: | 82° |
| Origination: | NASA |
| Instruments: |
Miniaturized thermal infrared spectrometers on two CubeSat satellites |
| Project Scientist(s): |
Brian Drouin, JPL/CalTech |
| Principal Investigator(s): |
Tristan L'Ecuyer, University of Wisconsin-Madison |