Object Details
Manufacturer
Langley Research Center
Summary
Operating from 1984-1990, the Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) was the first scientific effort to develop a broad-based data set of the Earth's radiation budget. ERBE measured the balance between incoming long and short wave radiation to the Earth system and the emission of such radiation back into space (the radiation budget).
To gather the budget data, required using three instruments, each on a separate spacecraft--NOAA 9 and NOAA 10, operating in polar orbits as well as the Earth Radiation Budget Satellite, operating at an inclined orbit.
The ERBE instruments the foundation for developing climate models that more accurately represented the Earth as physical system and the large-scale impacts of human activity, especially from CO2 emissions. This artifact is an engineering model used in development and testing, as well as for assessment of the three flight units once in orbit.
Credit Line
Transferred from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Langley Research Center
Inventory Number
A20181307000
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
INSTRUMENTS-Scientific
Materials
Aluminum, copper, glass, plastic, mylar
Dimensions
Overall: 53.3 w × 63.5 h × 45.7 d cm (1 ft. 9 in. × 2 ft. 1 in. × 1 ft. 6 in.)
Country of Origin
United States of America
See more items in
National Air and Space Museum Collection
Location
National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
Exhibition
One World Connected
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nasm_A20181307000