Jul 28 2010
NASA's officials have announced the incorporation of final five instruments into the NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP) Climate and weather satellite, and that it would be ready for take off by the end of 2011.
The NPP satellite built by Bell Aerospace and Technologies, which is also masterminding the integration processes was a forerunner to the NPOESS (National Polar Orbiting Operational Environment Satellite System). The final device to be added was the Cross-Track Infrared Sounder (CrIS), a progressive atmospheric sensor developed by the ITT Corporation. .
After the triumphant testing of the CrIS mechanical and electrical performances, completing the satellite Pre-Environmental Test Baseline Performance is the next stage. The NPP team is set to begin the Environmental Test flow which comprises of Thermal testing and Dynamics and electromagnetic compatibility by October.
The five instrument unit will amass and circulate data about remotely-sensed land, atmosphere and ocean to the global climate change and meteorological centers. The data would also include humidity sounding, atmospheric and sea-surface temperature readings, land and ocean biological productivity, complete ozone dimensions and cloud and aerosol properties.
The CrIS along with the NPP’s Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder will beam out data, regarding moisture and pressure profiles and atmospheric temperature from space.
The suite also encompasses a visible / Infrared Imager or Radiometer (to gather data about clouds in atmosphere, clear-air land/water surfaces, ocean color, sea surface temperatures, earth radiation forecast and also offer low light visible imaging); An ozone mapping and profiler, to monitor ozone levels and maintain the everyday global data gleaned by the present ozone monitoring systems, with more consistency and finally the Cloud and Earth Radiant Energy System to measure the radiant energy balance of the earth, to assist the scientists to create and devise superior weather predictions and climate model prognosis.
The NPP mission managed by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center is to carry on with NASA’s Earth Observing System measurements, and also to deliver risk reduction for NPOESS.
Source: http://www.nasa.gov