The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced on January 20 that its newest Earth-observing research mission is scheduled to launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on February 23. The “Glory mission,” which will improve understanding of how the sun and tiny atmospheric particles called aerosols affect the Earth's climate, will also extend a legacy of long-term solar measurements needed to address key uncertainties about climate change.
It will join a fleet called the Afternoon Constellation or “A-train” of satellites. This group of other Earth-observing satellites, including NASA's Aqua and Aura spacecraft, flies in tight formation.
It marks the first satellite launch under U.S. President Barack Obama's climate initiative that will advance the U.S.' contribution to cutting-edge and policy-relevant climate change science.
The mission carries two primary instruments, the Aerosol Polarimetry Sensor (APS) and the Total Irradiance Monitor (TIM). The APS will improve measurement of aerosols, that can influence climate by reflecting and absorbing solar radiation and modifying clouds and precipitation. “Glory” will fly in a low-Earth orbit altitude of 438 miles (704.9 km). After launch, mission operators will conduct verification tests for 30 days and then begin to collect data for at least three years.
