ERBS
Earth Radiation Budget Satellite

ERBS was part of the NASA's 3 satellite Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE), designed to investigate how energy from the Sun is absorbed and re-emitted by the Earth. This process of absorbtion and re-radiation is one of the principal drivers of the Earth's weather patterns. Observations from ERBS were also used to determine the effects of human activites (such as burning fossil fuels and the use CFCs) and natural occurances (such as volcanic eruptions) on the Earth's radiation balance. Following deployment from STS-41G, Astronaut Sally Ride had to shake the satellite with the remote manipulator arm to get the solar arrays to deploy. The other instruments of the ERBE were flown on NOAA 9 and 10.

Spacecraft
3-axis stabilized to 1 degree using magnetic torquers, hydrazine RCS backup. Two solar arrays generate 2164 W (EOL peak), two 50 Ahr NiCd batteries. Hydrazine propulsion system supports ACS yaw maneuvers (required to keep solar arrays illuminated), initial orbit raising. Downlink (at 128 kbps), uplink through TDRSS using electrically steerable spherical array antenna.

Payload
SAGE II (Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment), ERBE Non-Scanner (Earth Radiation Budget Experiment), ERBE Scanner. ERBE (Non-Scanner)- Total energy of Sun's radiant heat and light. Channels 1-4 : 0.2 - 3.5 µ m, 0.2 - 50.0 µ m; Channel 5 : 0.2 - 50.0 µ m; 1000 km resolution across swath full solar disc. ERBE (Scanner)- Reflected solar radiation, Earth emitted radiation. 3 Channels : 0.2 - 50.0 µ m, 40 km resolution. SAGE II - Stratospheric aerosols, O3, NO2, water vapor. 7 channels : 0.385 - 1.02 µ m, 0.5 km resolution.

Country of Origin	United States
Customer/User	NASA, GSFC
Manufacturer(s)	Ball Space Systems
Size	4.6 x 3.5 x 1.5 meter
Orbit	610 km, 57 deg inclination
Design Life	2 years

Launch Facts

Name	Int'l Desig.	Date	Site	Vehicle	Orbit	Mass(kg)
Notes
ERBS	1984-108B	10/5/84	ESMC	STS 41G	LEO	226
Earth Radiation Budget Satellite