Earth Radiation Array (ERA)

James W. Hoffman; Ronald C. Grush; Albert Arking

doi:10.1117/12.961488

6 October 1989 Earth Radiation Array (ERA)

James W. Hoffman, Ronald C. Grush, Albert Arking

Proceedings Volume 1129, Advanced Optical Instrumentation for Remote Sensing of the Earth's Surface from Space; (1989) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.961488
Event: 1989 International Congress on Optical Science and Engineering, 1989, Paris, France

Abstract

The Earth Radiation Array (ERA) represents a new instrument under development for climate research and global monitoring of the earth radiation budget. The ERA contains a mosaic array of detectors which measures the outgoing radiation of the earth in all directions without the need for mechanical scanning. The goal is to eliminate all moving parts and obtain highly calibrated measurements for up to one solar cycle (11 years) without being susceptible to mechanical failure. Over set intervals of time, the angular measurements are integrated up to produce total reflected and emitted flux values from each target area on the earth. To achieve the required sensitivity while maintaining a flat spectral response, an improved dual cavity detector with digital control loop has been developed. The detector is self calibrating to maintain high precision over the life of the instrument. Prototype detectors and a complete set of electronics with a microprocessor controller are currently being fabricated and tested by Space Instruments, Inc ., under contract to NASA/GSFC. Early measurements indicate that the new detectors are more than an order of magnitude more sensitive than previous versions. The design concept for the complete ERA and the status of the hardware development will be presented, along with key test results obtained to date.

Citation Download Citation

James W. Hoffman, Ronald C. Grush, and Albert Arking "Earth Radiation Array (ERA)", Proc. SPIE 1129, Advanced Optical Instrumentation for Remote Sensing of the Earth's Surface from Space, (6 October 1989); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.961488

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