NASA presented its prestigious Group Achievement Award to the CLARREO Pathfinder (CPF) HySICS Characterization and Test Team in a ceremony held at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) at the University of Colorado Boulder on Sept. 17. The award recognized the team’s groundbreaking efforts in developing and testing the Hyperspectral Imager for Climate Science (HySICS)—an instrument that will provide highly accurate measurements of reflected solar radiation, which is critical to understanding Earth’s changing climate.
“The work they have done to design, build, assemble, test, and characterize the HySICS instrument, in pursuit of improved accuracy in measuring Earth’s solar reflectance, will greatly enhance the world’s ability to predict changes in Earth’s climate decades sooner than previously possible,” said NASA’s CLARREO Pathfinder project scientist Yolanda Shea in presenting the award to the team.
After its expected launch and installation on the International Space Station later this decade, the CLARREO (Climate Absolute Radiance and Refractivity Observatory) Pathfinder mission will deliver highly precise data crucial for monitoring and predicting climate trends. Central to that mission is the HySICS instrument, developed and built at LASP, which will measure sunlight reflected from Earth with five to 10 times greater accuracy than current sensors. This breakthrough in accuracy achieved by the CPF HySICS team will allow scientists to track even the smallest changes in solar radiation, ultimately helping other satellites make more accurate climate observations.
When reflected off Earth’s surface, solar radiation holds key information about the planet’s energy balance, and even subtle changes can signal long-term shifts in climate patterns. Accurately measuring this reflected sunlight will allow scientists to detect climate change trends decades sooner than current sensors can.
HySICS will measure sunlight in the visible and near-infrared portions of the spectrum, which is vital for studying how the Earth reflects solar energy. This data will help scientists track and predict changes in the Earth’s atmosphere, improving climate models and supporting global decision-making on climate policies.
“The CLARREO Pathfinder HySICS team is an innovative and dedicated group of individuals from across LASP who have consistently maintained a commitment to technical excellence, even in the face of unexpected challenges,” said LASP Director Dan Baker. “We are so proud of their perseverance and achievement, and pleased that their efforts are being acknowledged with this award from our partners at NASA.”
One of the challenges the team encountered during the development of HySICS was finding a light source capable of calibrating the instrument to meet its exceptionally high standards.
HySICS calibrates itself using direct solar irradiance from the sun, which provides a highly accurate reference. However, when the instrument measures sunlight reflected by the moon or Earth, the light is approximately 100,000 times dimmer than direct sunlight. While in the lab, the team needed an artificial light source that could mimic the brightness and uniformity of the Sun, all while ensuring the equipment didn’t overheat or malfunction.
To overcome this challenge, the team at LASP innovated and built their own solution: an in-house light source called the “Sun Cannon.” This powerful device could produce the brightness needed for HySICS’s calibration, while keeping the instrument within safe thermal limits. The “Sun Cannon” allowed the team to complete much of the planned characterization, marking a significant milestone for the mission. Remaining calibrations were done using advanced algorithms to ensure the instrument met its accuracy standards.
“It was a great feeling of accomplishment,” said Peter Pilewskie, the science principal investigator for the LASP CLARREO Pathfinder team. “But that is exactly what I’ve come to expect from this team.”
The innovation also represents a major leap forward in climate science. HySICS will have the ability to detect even the slightest changes in Earth’s climate system, and researchers will be able to gather essential data more quickly. The data produced by the CLARREO Pathfinder mission will improve predictions for future weather patterns and climate change, guide decision-makers in making more informed actions to address climate challenges and help prepare governments and communities around the world for environmental challenges ahead.
Reflecting on what makes the CLARREO Pathfinder team stand out, Stephanie Harrison, project manager for CLARREO Pathfinder at NASA Langley Research Center, said: “I truly think it’s the way our teams collaborate across NASA and LASP—it’s a true partnership. Everyone is dedicated to the mission’s success, with their eyes on the same goal, supporting each other along the way. This team is the best, truly.”
By Gabriel Moraga, Communications Assistant
Founded a decade before NASA, the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics at the University of Colorado Boulder is on a mission to revolutionize human understanding of the cosmos by pioneering new technologies and approaches to space science. The institute is at the forefront of solar, planetary, and space physics research, climate and space-weather monitoring, and the search for evidence of habitable worlds. LASP is also deeply committed to inspiring and educating the next generation of space explorers. From the first exploratory rocket measurements of Earth’s upper atmosphere to trailblazing observations of every planet in the solar system, LASP continues to build on its remarkable history with a nearly $1 billion portfolio of new research and engineering programs, backed by superb data analysis, reliable mission operations, and skilled administrative support.
