- Glory (satellite)
The Glory satellite is a planned
NASA satellite mission that will collect data on the chemical, micro-physical and optical properties -- and the spatial and temporal distributions -- ofaerosols , and will collect solar irradiance data for the long-term climate record.The science focus areas served by Glory will include: atmospheric composition; carbon cycle, ecosystems, and biogeochemistry; climate variability and change; and water and energy cycles. [cite web |url=http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/210019main_NASA_FY09_Budget_Estimates.pdf |title=NASA FY 2009 Budget Request |pages=p. Sci-29 |publisher=NASA]
Launch
Launch from
Vandenberg Air Force Base aboard a Taurus XL rocket is planned forJune 15 2009 . [cite web | title =Launch Schedule | publisher =NASA | url =http://www.nasa.gov/missions/highlights/schedule.html]Instruments
Aerosol Polarimetry Sensor
The Aerosol Polarimetry Sensor (APS) is a is a continuous scanning sensor that has the capability to collect visible, near infrared, and short-wave infrared data scattered from aerosols and clouds. It is designed to make multi-angle observations of Earth and atmospheric scene spectral polarization and radiance.
Cloud Camera
The cloud camera is a high-spatial-resolution two-band radiometer intended to facilitate the identification of cloudcontaminated APS pixels and to determine the fraction of the pixel area occupied by clouds. Over ocean, the cloud camera will be used to determine aerosol load and fine mode fraction based on the aerosol microphysical model determined from APS measurements. The Cloud Camera is not a separate instrument, but rather is used to identify clouds in the APS nadir pixel.
Total Irradiance Monitor
The Total Irradiance Monitor (TIM) is an active cavity
radiometer that records total solar irradiance. It has four identical radiometers to provide redundancy and to help detect changes in the instrument from exposure to solar radiation. TIM is mounted on a platform that moves the instrument independent of the spacecraft.References
External links
* [http://glory.giss.nasa.gov/ NASA website]
* [http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/missions/profile.cfm?MCode=GLORY Glory Mission Profile] by [http://solarsystem.nasa.gov NASA's Solar System Exploration]
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