The Earth Radiation Budget Experiment Nonscanner Instrument

TLDR

ERBE nonscanner instruments are flying from low Earth orbit, with a third set scheduled for launch in March 1986, to measure the Earth’s energy budget. The program aims to provide comprehensive, highly accurate measurements of the Earth’s energy budget across specified spectral, spatial, and temporal scales for climatological research. The ERBE nonscanner employs a highly accurate active cavity radiometer, extensive preflight calibration, and in‑flight calibration checks within a flexible design to maintain measurement accuracy over its two‑year mission.

Abstract

Two Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) nonscanner instruments are flying with companion scanner instruments to measure the earth's energy budget from low earth orbit. A third set of instruments will be launched in March 1986. This program is the first designed to make a comprehensive set of highly accurate measurements of the earth's energy budget on the spectral, spatial, and temporal scales specified by the scientific community for use in climatological research. The ERBE nonscanner combines the use of the highly accurate active cavity radiometer (ACR) detector with a comprehensive preflight calibration and characterization program and a design which includes operational flexibility and in‐flight calibration checks to achieve and maintain, throughout its 2‐year design life, a measurement accuracy capability not previously possible. This paper describes the ERBE nonscanner instrument, its operation, calibration, and mission profile.