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Details on this mission type
Full name Earth radiation budget from LEO
Definition This type of mission designates two measuring systems: - broad-band radiometry of the total upward radiation (longwave emission of the Earth's atmosphere to Space and short-wave reflected solar radiation) measured from Low Earth Orbit; provision of additional information from key narrow-band channels, and multi-directional viewing (to retrieve irradiance), are necessary; - Cavity radiometers to measure the incoming solar radiation.
Relevant instruments and their contribution

The sorting column describes how the instruments, by design, have the potential to contribute to certain pre-determined capabilities, assuming nominal operation of space and ground segments. For this particular capability, instrument performance is considered to be driven by:

  • the scanning mode, with or without bi-axial capability in addition to cross-scanning;
  • the presence of narrow-band channels, for cloud detection;
  • observation of solar irradiance at TOA (total and/or spectral)

 Sorting criteria and colour code

  1. ERB measured in SW, LW and total (SW+LW).  Bi-axial capability.  Built-in capability for Total Solar Irradiance.
  2. ERB measured in SW and/or LW and/or total (SW+LW), SW or LW possibly computed as difference from Total.  Supporting narrow-bandwidth channels and/or bi-axial capability.
  3. ERB measured in SW and total (SW+LW), LW computed as difference.  OR solar irradiance monitoring, both Total and spectral.
  4. Total Solar Irradiance measured, from UV to MWIR or TIR or FIR
  5. Solar spectral irradiance measured, from UV to VIS, orVISto NIR