The Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES) sensor will be integrated onto the NPP spacecraft, which is scheduled to launch in 2010. NPP is a joint mission between the tri-agency NPOESS Integrated Program Office and NASA providing risk-reduction for NPOESS and will bridge climate measurements between NASA’s Earth Observing System (EOS) research spacecraft and the operational NPOESS system. Northrop Grumman is the prime contractor for the design, development and delivery of NPOESS system – and is responsible for overseeing the delivery of three sensors for NPP. Northrop Grumman modified CERES under contract to NASA Langley Research Center.
Four CERES sensors are currently operational on NASA’s Terra and Aqua Earth Observing System spacecraft. The first CERES sensor to be launched was a part of the Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission. CERES sensors measure thermal radiation from the visible/near-ultraviolet to the far infrared wavelength regions, or in simpler terms, the amount of sunlight reflected from the Earth and atmosphere as well as the thermal energy emitted by the Earth and atmosphere. Changes in the radiation budget can cause significant temperature changes, enough to increase or shrink arable lands, lengthen growing seasons, and enlarge cold zones or deserts.