Glory

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Mission Overview The Earth's energy balance and the effect on climate requires measuring black carbon soot and other aerosols, and the total solar irradiance. Glory is a low Earth orbit (LEO) scientific research satellite designed to achieve two major goals:
+ Collect data on the properties of aerosols, including black carbon, in the Earth's atmosphere and climate system. It will enable a greater understanding of the seasonal variability of aerosol properties. + Collect data on solar irradiance for the long-term effects on the Earth climate record. Understanding whether the temperature increase and climate changes are by-products of natural events or whether the changes are caused by man-made sources is of primary importance.
Glory: Explaining the Earth's Energy Budget An accurate description of Earth's energy budget is important for scientists in order to anticipate changes to our climate. Shifts in the global climate and the associated weather patterns impact life by altering landscapes and changing the availability of natural resources. Scientists are working to better understand exactly how and why this energy budget changes. The Glory mission will provide significant contributions toward this critical endeavor.