# Earth Radiation Budget Satellite

> former American geophysical research satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q49687](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q49687)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_Radiation_Budget_Satellite)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/earth-radiation-budget-satellite

## Summary
The Earth Radiation Budget Satellite (ERBS) was a former American geophysical research satellite launched by NASA in 1984 that orbited Earth to study the planet's radiation budget and atmospheric composition.

## Key Facts
- Launched on October 5, 1984, aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger (STS-41-G) from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A
- Operated by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- Manufacturer: Ball Aerospace & Technologies
- Mass: 2,449 kg at launch, 2,307 kg dry weight
- COSPAR ID: 1984-108B
- In low Earth orbit and powered by solar arrays and nickel-cadmium batteries
- Carried scientific instruments including SAGE II and the Earth Radiation Budget Experiment
- Service retirement occurred on October 14, 2005, with atmospheric entry on January 9, 2023

## FAQs
### Q: When was the Earth Radiation Budget Satellite launched?
A: It was launched on October 5, 1984, aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger.

### Q: What was the primary purpose of the ERBS?
A: The satellite was designed to study Earth's radiation budget and atmospheric composition.

### Q: How long was the Earth Radiation Budget Satellite operational?
A: It was operational from 1984 until its service retirement on October 14, 2005.

## Why It Matters
The Earth Radiation Budget Satellite played a crucial role in advancing our understanding of Earth's energy balance and atmospheric processes. As a dedicated Earth observation satellite, it provided comprehensive measurements of solar radiation, Earth's reflected energy, and atmospheric properties, which are fundamental to understanding climate change and weather patterns. The data collected by ERBS has been instrumental in validating climate models and improving our understanding of how Earth's energy budget operates. Its long-term observations contributed significantly to the scientific community's ability to track changes in Earth's radiation balance over time.

## Notable For
- First satellite dedicated specifically to studying Earth's radiation budget
- Carried the SAGE II instrument, which provided critical measurements of atmospheric aerosols and ozone
- Operated for over 21 years, providing continuous data on Earth's energy balance
- Contributed to the understanding of how human activities affect Earth's radiation budget
- Its atmospheric entry on January 9, 2023, marked the end of an era for this important scientific mission

## Body
### Technical Specifications
The Earth Radiation Budget Satellite (ERBS) was a dedicated Earth observation satellite designed for geophysical research. It was launched on October 5, 1984, aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A as part of the STS-41-G mission. The satellite was manufactured by Ball Aerospace & Technologies and operated by NASA.

The spacecraft had a launch mass of 2,449 kilograms and a dry weight of 2,307 kilograms. It was placed in low Earth orbit and was powered by both solar arrays and nickel-cadmium batteries. The satellite carried several scientific instruments, most notably the SAGE II (Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment II) and the Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE), which were crucial for measuring Earth's radiation budget.

### Mission Operations
ERBS was designed to orbit Earth at an altitude that allowed it to collect comprehensive data on solar radiation, Earth's reflected energy, and atmospheric composition. The satellite's instruments provided measurements of atmospheric aerosols, ozone, and other key parameters that help scientists understand how Earth's energy balance works.

The mission operated for over two decades, with service retirement occurring on October 14, 2005. The satellite's orbital decay was predicted to occur on January 9, 2023, when it reentered Earth's atmosphere, marking the end of its scientific mission.

### Scientific Contributions
ERBS made significant contributions to climate science by providing long-term measurements of Earth's radiation budget. The data collected by the satellite helped scientists understand how changes in atmospheric composition and aerosol loading affect Earth's energy balance. This information has been critical for validating climate models and predicting future climate changes.

The satellite's measurements of solar radiation and Earth's reflected energy have been used to study the Earth's energy balance and how it's affected by both natural and anthropogenic factors. The data collected by ERBS continues to be used by researchers studying climate change, atmospheric chemistry, and Earth's energy budget.

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/erbs.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1984-108B)
4. [Source](https://www.eoportal.org/satellite-missions/erbs#spacecraft)
5. [Source](https://www.nasa.gov/feature/langley/retired-nasa-earth-radiation-budget-satellite-to-reenter-atmosphere)
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. [Source](https://www.eoportal.org/satellite-missions/erbs#mission-status)
8. [Source](http://database.eohandbook.com/database/missionsummary.aspx?missionID=216)