Libera: A New Era of Earth Radiation Budget Monitoring
JPSS-4, which will be renamed NOAA-22 in orbit, will be the next JPSS satellite to launch, with a launch readiness date of 2027. In addition to the four instruments already flying on NOAA-21, JPSS-4 will include Libera, an instrument that will improve our understanding of trends in Earth’s energy imbalance and our changing climate.
NASA’s Libera mission is poised to become a cornerstone of climate research, ensuring the continuity of Earth’s radiation budget (ERB) observations that began with the CERES mission in 2000. This crucial data is vital for understanding the complex factors driving our planet’s climate change.
Building on CERES Legacy
As the first NASA Earth Venture Continuity mission, Libera aims to extend the decades-long ERB record established by CERES. The mission’s instruments will be carried aboard the upcoming NOAA-22 satellite, scheduled for launch in 2027.
Named after the daughter of Ceres in Roman mythology, Libera reflects the mission’s deep connection to its predecessor. By measuring Earth’s reflected solar radiation and emitted terrestrial radiation, Libera will help scientists unravel the intricate relationship between incoming and outgoing energy, a key factor in determining our planet’s temperature.
A close-up view of the Libera instrument onboard JPSS-4.
Key Innovations and Benefits
Libera incorporates several innovative features to enhance its measurement capabilities:
- Wide-field-of-view camera: Provides contextual information for interpreting radiometer measurements.
- Carbon nanotube detectors: The world’s blackest material, ensuring efficient absorption of radiative energy.
- Electrical substitution method: Accurately determines absorbed radiative power by measuring equivalent electrical power.
- Additional wavelength band: Helps distinguish between solar radiation absorbed in the atmosphere and at the surface.
These advancements will contribute to improved accuracy and provide valuable insights into the factors driving Earth’s energy imbalance.
A Crucial Contribution to Climate Science
Libera’s data will play a pivotal role in:
- Understanding climate change: By revealing long-term trends in Earth’s energy balance.
- Improving climate models: Providing essential validation and calibration data.
- Attributing climate change to specific factors: Analyzing the impact of various human and natural influences.
As we face the pressing challenges of climate change, Libera’s mission offers hope for a deeper understanding of our planet’s complex climate system. By continuing the vital work of measuring Earth’s radiation budget, Libera will help guide our efforts to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
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