Glory (satellite)

Glory was a satellite observatory and Earth observation satellite of NASA, with the influence of the energy radiation of the sun on the climate and the Earth's atmosphere should be investigated. Glory should be part of the Earth Observing System. The satellite was launched on March 4, 2011, but reached due to the failure of the launch vehicle no orbit and crashed into the Pacific Ocean.

Function

Glory was to continue the long-term measurements of the total solar radiation by the Earth Radiation Budget and ACRIM instruments and the measurements of the SORCE satellite.

In addition Glory had an instrument (APS ) for the study of natural and anthropogenic aerosols from the atmosphere on board. In support of this instrument there was a camera on board to see the clouds in the field of view of the aerosol sensor.

Construction

The spacecraft was built by Orbital Sciences Corporation in Dulles, Virginia on behalf of the Goddard Space Flight Center. Here, the satellite bus of the selected VCL satellite was used, which has been in storage for several years.

These were a three -axis stabilized spacecraft with a control system which orients the satellite to the Sun and to the calibration stars. The starting weight was 545 kg. The solar cells should provide a power output of 400 watts.

Instruments

Cloud Camera

APS

• Total Irradiance Monitor ( TIM) for registration of changes of solar radiation
• Aerosol Polarimetry Sensor (APS ) for the study of aerosols in the Earth's atmosphere in the infrared and visible range
• Cloud Camera for the identification of clouds in the field of view of the APS sensor

Mission History

The research satellite was to be launched on 23 February 2011 with a rocket of the type 3110 Taurus (Taurus XL) from Vandenberg Air Force Base, but the launch was postponed for technical reasons. The launch finally took place on 4 March 2011 but failed due to the non-separated payload fairing.