NASA Selects Universities for Climate Science Mission Support

HAMPTON, Va. – NASA’s Langley Research Center has selected three universities to provide the agency with support for a climate science mission called CLARREO, short for Climate Absolute Radiance and Refractivity Observatory Mission.

Selected were Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.; the Space Dynamics Laboratory of Utah State University Research Foundation, North Logan, Utah; and the University of Wisconsin. Madison, Wis.

The Integrated Product Team Support for CLARREO Infrared Instruments contract is valued at up to $9.6 million over five years.

The new multiple award contract will provide instrument systems expertise and capabilities for conducting measurements in the infrared spectrum, including systems engineering, design of infrared measurement systems, analysis and modeling, and instrument systems development and characterization.

CLARREO is a climate-focused mission. The foundation for CLARREO is its ability to produce accurate climate records through the use of exacting on-board traceability of the instrument accuracy to international measurement standards.

Current satellite-based sensors are not designed to meet the accuracy requirements necessary for climate measurements. Many sensors used for climate measurements were designed to meet operational weather needs and were not specifically designed to meet the demanding calibration accuracies required for climate measurement.

The CLARREO mission is intended to meet climate needs through careful consideration of the instrument design, calibration traceability at all stages of development, calibration and verification traceability on-orbit, and spectral, spatial, and temporal sampling focused specifically on the creation of accurate, long-term climate data records.

For more information about CLARREO, visit:http://clarreo.larc.nasa.gov/

For more information about NASA and agency programs, visit: http://www.nasa.gov