FORUM mission sees delivery of flight far-infrared detectors

These will enable atmospheric scientists to measure the energy emitted by the Earth. This is in the far-infrared part of Earth’s outgoing longwave radiation and will be critical for determining the earth’s heat loss (cooling) through the atmosphere.

FORUM stands for “Far Infrared Outgoing Radiation Understanding and Monitoring”. And the new detectors will make the first global measurements of Earth’s far infrared emissions, a region of the spectrum critical for determining the earth’s heat loss (cooling) through the atmosphere.

Collecting such radiation data from satellites is a new achievement, according to Leonardo.

“Far infrared radiation is not usually measured by earth observation satellites, due to limitations of the available detectors for weather monitoring and climate missions,” said Leonardo’s Space Programme Manager Sarah Millo.

“Our detectors fill this gap in climate models, by validating actual far infrared emissions against existing models so that a comparison can be drawn. This is only possible due to the detectors’ broadband of operation which has previously supported the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR) on MARS, so it is fantastic to see the technology being used much closer to home.”

FORUM

You can read more about FORUM on the ESA website.

Airbus is building the satellite itself. Specifically, Airbus in Stevenage will lead the development of the satellite. This is with Airbus in Germany responsible for the Instrument signal detection chain. And Airbus in France providing platform product support.

The FORUM satellite prime contract dates back to June 2022, with OHB appointed as instrument subcontractor.

Note that Leonardo Italy is also developing a Thermal InfraRed Camera (FEI) for the Forum mission. This will be a secondary payload on the satellite, and delivery will be this month.

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