NASA\u2019s\u00a0Arcstone\u00a0instrument, designed to improve the accuracy of lunar calibration,\u00a0successfully completed its\u00a0technology demonstration,\u00a0and now begins extended operations.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Arcstone\u00a0launched<\/a>\u00a0on\u00a0June 23 on\u00a0a\u00a0SpaceX Transporter-14 from Vandenberg Space Force Base\u00a0in California,\u00a0on a six-month mission\u00a0to measure light reflected by the Moon,\u00a0which is a\u00a0stable\u00a0and potentially\u00a0highly-accurate\u00a0calibration\u00a0source,\u00a0for satellite sensors.\u00a0<\/p>\n The\u00a0mission,\u00a0led by NASA\u2019s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, uses\u00a0a\u00a0specially designed\u00a0spectrometer\u00a0system\u00a0and\u00a0is the first\u00a0on-orbit\u00a0instrument solely dedicated to improving\u00a0the accuracy of\u00a0lunar\u00a0calibration.\u00a0Measurements of sunlight reflected off the Moon\u00a0are the first step in creating\u00a0a new lunar model for the calibration of Earth-orbiting sensors\u00a0\u2014\u00a0including\u00a0those that\u00a0map the surface of the Earth for commercial, scientific, and\u00a0consumer use,\u00a0such as the maps on cellphones.<\/p>\n \u201cSince\u00a0Arcstone\u00a0is\u00a0gathering measurements\u00a0in space, the data it collects does not contain atmospheric effects that increase error, and operations are not dependent on having good weather,\u201d said Cindy Young, principal investigator for the mission.\u00a0\u201cThis\u00a0helps\u00a0us acquire\u00a0consistent and frequent\u00a0lunar\u00a0sampling.\u201d<\/p>\n Young added that\u00a0Arcstone\u00a0has already collected more than 240 lunar observations\u00a0and\u00a0has successfully\u00a0demonstrated\u00a0the measurement concept on-orbit.<\/p>\n Next steps\u00a0for the science team\u00a0include\u00a0processing and\u00a0validating\u00a0the\u00a0raw data to assess accuracy.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n The\u00a0Arcstone\u00a0technology demonstration\u00a0is\u00a0a low-cost mission\u00a0funded by NASA\u2019s\u202fEarth Science Technology Office\u2019s\u202fIn-space Validation of Earth Science Technologies Program.\u00a0Partners include\u00a0the\u00a0University of Colorado Boulder\u2019s Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics,\u202fthe\u00a0U.S.\u00a0Geological Survey, NASA\u2019s\u202fGoddard Space Flight Center\u00a0in Greenbelt, Maryland,\u202fResonon\u00a0Inc.,\u202fBlue Canyon Technologies, and\u202fQuartus Engineering.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0For more information on NASA\u2019s\u00a0Arcstone\u00a0mission, visit:\u00a0<\/p>\n https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/arcstone\/<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/6ef6e37b9964208a52d6c6e192c657926f00899520d473a8d99f63200de01595?s=200&d=blank&r=g\"\/)