1: Introduction and About NASA's PRE FIRE Mission

  • The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has launched a new mission called PREFIRE (Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-InfraRed Experiment).
  • The mission involves the launch of two CubeSats (6U), which stands for miniaturised satellites, to monitor the Earth's poles' heat loss.
  • The key objective of this mission is to augment our understanding of the planet's energy budget.

2: CubeSats: The Frontier of Spatial Technology

  • CubeSats are a type of Nanosatellite, weighing less than 10 kilograms.
  • They symbolise a standardised, cost-effective and small satellite design widely used for demonstrating technology and research work.
  • The use of CubeSats has become increasingly prevalent due to their affordability and the ability to launch them in greater numbers. This makes them a lucrative tool for technological demonstrations and scientific research.

3: Role of PREFIRE Mission in Understanding Climate Change

  • PREFIRE's main aim is to illuminate the level of infra-red and far-infrared radiation emanating from the Arctic and Antarctica. It achieves this through thermal infrared spectrometers installed in two CubeSats.
  • The data so derived assists scientists in comprehending the equilibrium between inbound and outbound heat, a critical factor influencing changes in Earth's ice, seas, and weather
  • By studying heat emissions from Earth's poles, the PREFIRE Mission is indeed an effective tool in the ongoing climate change research.

4: General Knowledge Facts Related to PRE FIRE and CubeSats

  • The full form of PREFIRE is Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-InfraRed Experiment.
  • CubeSats represent a type of mini satellite. Their actual size is based on a unit 'U', which equals a 10x10x10 cm cube. The CubeSats used in PREFIRE are described as 6U, meaning they are equivalent to six standard cubes.
  • NASA, the organisation behind this mission, stands for National Aeronautics and Space Administration. It was established by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1958.
  • The invaluable data contributed by the PREFIRE mission will help model and perhaps predict changes in the Earth's climate, thus playing an instrumental role in the urgent cause of climate change mitigation.

5: Importance of PRE FIRE and CubeSats

  • As miniature satellites, CubeSats offer a cost-effective solution to understanding complex phenomena such as the Earth's energy budget.
  • PREFIRE represents an important mission as it addresses a critical gap in our understanding of Earth's energy, contributing toward a more comprehensive understanding of global climate
  • The mission exemplifies the crucial role of technological advancements and space study in understanding and addressing the pressing issue of climate change.