NPOESS

Accurate forecasting for improved global security

With accurate short- and long-range climate predictions, we can better anticipate an imminent storm, assess the impact of a rising river, improve crop management and yield, prepare for civil disasters and emergency response, and defend our way of life. Ultimately, improved forecasting helps save human life and property. That's why Northrop Grumman is committed to creating the most sophisticated climate monitors possible, including the National Polar-Orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System, or NPOESS. NPOESS is the nation's next-generation environmental monitoring satellite system.

Observing earth from space, it provides:

• Improved long-range forecasts for earlier warnings
• Detailed climate forecast models
• Enhanced prediction of ocean wind speed and direction
• Reduced data latency on short-term forecasts by four times over current systems
• The potential for improved disaster planning and response

Sound environmental and climate data aids the aviation, agriculture and maritime industries, along with emergency response teams, governmental organizations and even military operations. More importantly, NPOESS can help produce a warning or an emergency response before it's too late.

AQUA

Helping researchers and scientists better understand climate change

Developing a solution for climate change begins by better understanding it. What are the roots of global changes? What specific things or actions are causing it? And what will the results really be?

Northrop Grumman created Aqua, an Earth Observing System (EOS) satellite, to better understand this phenomenon. Collecting data through advanced scientific instrumentation, the goal of Aqua is to help multidisciplinary researchers develop a scientific basis for understanding the scope, dynamics and implications of climate change. Specifically, Aqua documents long-term change by measuring:

• Clouds
• Precipitation
• Atmospheric temperature
• Atmospheric moisture content
• Terrestrial snow
• Sea ice
• Sea temperature

Ultimately, Aqua may provide us with a better understanding of climate change, the first step toward creating a solution.

AURA

Getting to the roots of climate change and the earth's atmosphere

Trace chemicals in the earth's atmosphere have a hand in shaping the earth's climate. They may also be contributing to global warming. In spite of many predictions, much is still unknown about the roots of climate change and its long-term effects. And without a holistic understanding of the problem, it's impossible to develop an effective solution.

Northrop Grumman created Aura, an Earth Observing System (EOS) satellite, to monitor atmospheric gases and learn more about this phenomenon. Because of its unique orbit and design, Aura is able to observe all latitudes and record the most comprehensive measurements ever taken of trace gases. The data collected by Aura enables scientists to monitor and examine:

• The effects of industrialization in developing nations
• Large-scale biomass burning
• Ozone depletion
• El Niño conditions
• Trace gases resulting from organic decay or from naturally occurring events like lightning and volcanic eruptions

Ultimately, Aura may provide us with a better understanding of climate change, the first step toward creating a solution.

SENSORS & INSTRUMENTS

Sophisticated sensors and instruments for multidisciplinary climate research

Northrop Grumman engineers some of the most advanced sensors and instruments for monitoring and measuring climate data today, including:

CERES: Short for "Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System," CERES is the most precisely calibrated radiometer to ever fly in space. Over a 15-year period, it measures emitted and reflected radiant energy from the surface of the earth and the atmosphere. It offers scientists an accurate means to measure clouds and the energy they trap — a critical step toward maintaining the balance of earth's radiant energy. Learn more about CERES.

Hyperspectral Imaging: A hyperspectral imaging system from Northrop Grumman offers a view of what cannot be seen by the human eye — a camouflaged missile, fertile fishing beds, diseased forest, potential for improved crop rotation. It uses a unique sensor to measure the spectral footprint created by any object by measuring reflected light, including those wavelengths invisible to people. In fact, our hyperspectral imaging systems operate across up to 220 wavelengths — a huge advantage for anyone who may need to classify land features, measure productivity or identify trends. That's why NASA chose Northrop Grumman to build its first operational, in-orbit hyperspectral imager, which launched in 2000. Learn more about our hyperspectral imaging system.