Abstract
For the past three decades, the ERBE and CERES instruments have established a long-term data record for the total radiance being emitted and reflected from the Earth. This data record is critical to understanding the Earth’s radiation balance, which in turn is a key driver to climate change. The Radiation Budget Instrument (RBI) will continue the ERBE/CERES data records into the future. RBI’s first flight will be on the JPSS-2 satellite, which is planned for launch in 2021.
RBI measures upwelling Earth radiance over an extremely broad spectral range, from the ultraviolet (0.3 microns) to the far-infrared (100 microns), separated into three spectral bands. RBI includes advanced onboard calibration sub-systems which provide the exceptionally precise radiometric accuracy and precision needed to fulfill the radiation balance mission.
This paper will describe the RBI mission and the overall RBI instrument design approach, including recent design updates and details of the onboard calibration targets. The latest radiometric and spectral performance projections for the instrument will also be provided. In addition, test results from an RBI instrument prototype called the Radiometric Test Model will be discussed.
Radiation Budget Instrument (RBI) Performance Update
For the past three decades, the ERBE and CERES instruments have established a long-term data record for the total radiance being emitted and reflected from the Earth. This data record is critical to understanding the Earth’s radiation balance, which in turn is a key driver to climate change. The Radiation Budget Instrument (RBI) will continue the ERBE/CERES data records into the future. RBI’s first flight will be on the JPSS-2 satellite, which is planned for launch in 2021.
RBI measures upwelling Earth radiance over an extremely broad spectral range, from the ultraviolet (0.3 microns) to the far-infrared (100 microns), separated into three spectral bands. RBI includes advanced onboard calibration sub-systems which provide the exceptionally precise radiometric accuracy and precision needed to fulfill the radiation balance mission.
This paper will describe the RBI mission and the overall RBI instrument design approach, including recent design updates and details of the onboard calibration targets. The latest radiometric and spectral performance projections for the instrument will also be provided. In addition, test results from an RBI instrument prototype called the Radiometric Test Model will be discussed.