The prototype obtained great results during its first trial run

Nov 1, 2013 17:56 GMT  ·  By
The helium balloon that took HySICS to the edge of the atmosphere on September 29, 2013
   The helium balloon that took HySICS to the edge of the atmosphere on September 29, 2013

Scientists with the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) at the University of Colorado in Boulder (UCB) have successfully tested a new instrument designed to measure reflected solar radiance.

With this critical milestone behind, experts can now consider installing different versions of the new system on future NASA spacecraft.

The research effort, led by LASP expert Greg Kopp, was sponsored by NASA through its Earth Science Technology Office. According to officials at the space agency, instruments such as the HyperSpectral Imager for Climate Science (HySICS) are essential for understanding critical elements that define our planet's dynamic climate.

Reflected solar radiance is a measure of how much sunlight is bounced off our planet. These values are highly dependent on factors such as the density and clarity of the atmosphere, the extent of the cloud cover, the amount of particles in the atmosphere and other elements.

HySICS, which took its maiden flight in a balloon recently, proved able to quantify these factors in an efficient manner.