NASA has announced the extension and expansion of its PREFIRE CubeSat mission, which will now have a global scope. The PREFIRE mission aims to improve understanding of how much thermal infrared radiation the Earth emits into space. This is crucial for advancing knowledge about the Earth’s energy budget and climate.
Initially, the PREFIRE mission focused on studying thermal emissions over Arctic regions. However, with the extension of the mission, PREFIRE will now cover global observations. This expansion is expected to enhance insights into cloud dynamics, ice sheet melt, and energy flux variations across the globe.
Benefits of the Global Scope
- Improved data collection on Earth’s energy emissions worldwide.
- Enhanced understanding of climate-related changes in non-Arctic regions.
- Comprehensive monitoring of cloud patterns and atmospheric processes.
The extension of the PREFIRE mission will also involve launching additional CubeSats to ensure continuous and detailed data acquisition. These developments align with NASA’s ongoing efforts to leverage small satellite technology for valuable Earth science insights.
For more detailed information, please visit the NASA Blog.
