NASA is preparing to launch the ARCSTONE mission, an innovative space instrument designed to measure light reflected from Earth. This will enable more reliable and comprehensive atmospheric measurements.
The ARCSTONE mission, developed at the NASA Langley Research Center, is scheduled to launch a 6U CubeSat equipped with a spectrometer on the SpaceX Transporter-14 mission in the second half of 2025. This instrument will measure the spectral radiance of Earth in the 350 to 2300 nm range with an accuracy of up to 0.5% (k=1), which will significantly improve the calibration of satellite sensors.
Precise methods for calibrating satellite sensors, which use known data from sources such as the Sun or the Earth's surface, affected by atmospheric interference, can affect the accuracy of measurements. The use of a space-based light calibration source will allow for more accurate and reliable data for Earth research.
The ARCSTONE mission is part of NASA's initiative to develop technologies to improve the accuracy of data obtained from Earth observation satellites and is designed to ensure high-precision calibration standards for future missions.
The ARCSTONE mission is scheduled to launch in the second half of 2025, which is an important step in the development of technology for calibrating satellite sensors with the help of a space-based light source.