Recently, NASA launched one of two climate satellites as part of the PREFIRE (Polar Radiant Energy in
the Far-InfraRed Experiment) Mission.
PREFIRE Satellites
The PREFIRE satellites are 6U CubeSats, measuring around 90 cm in height and nearly 120 cm in width
when their solar panels are deployed.
Two 6U CubeSats aim to orbit at an altitude of about 525 kilometres in a near-polar orbit.
Each satellite carries a miniaturised infrared spectrometer, covering the 0-45 µm range at 0.84 µm spectral
resolution.
Operating for one seasonal cycle (approximately a year), PREFIRE aims to provide unprecedented data on
far-infrared emissions from Earth’s poles.
PREFIRE’s Objectives
Quantifying Far-Infrared Emission: PREFIRE aims to document the variability in spectral fluxes from 5
µm to 45 µm, shedding light on the energy radiated by Earth’s polar regions.
Nearly 60% of Arctic emission occurs at wavelengths > 15 µm (FIR), which has remained uncharted
territory until now.
It provides critical data for understanding Arctic warming, sea ice loss, ice sheet melt, and sea level rise.
Earth’s Thermostat: The Arctic acts as Earth’s thermostat, regulating the climate by venting excess energy
received in the tropics.
PREFIRE’s insights into Arctic heat emissions contribute to a more accurate understanding of our planet’s
climate dynamics.
Significance: Earth’s Energy Budget
Understanding Earth’s energy balance is crucial for predicting climate changes, as incoming solar radiation
and outgoing heat determines our planet’s temperature and climate.
However, a significant portion of heat radiated from the Arctic and Antarctica occurs as far-infrared
radiation (wavelengths of 3 µm to 1,000 µm), which has never been systematically measured.
PREFIRE aims to bridge this gap in knowledge by capturing spectral fluxes from 5 µm to 45 µm on hourly
to seasonal timescales.
