The Future of Earth Radiation Budget Observations Beyond CERES: Libera and Continuity of the ERB Climate Data Record

The Libera Mission, named for the daughter of Ceres in Roman mythology, will provide continuity of the Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES) Earth radiation budget (ERB) observations from space. Libera’s attributes enable a seamless extension of the current 23-year ERB climate data record from CERES. Libera will acquire spectrally integrated radiance over the CERES FM6-heritage broad spectral bands in the shortwave (0.3 – 5 μm), longwave (5 – 50 μm) and total (0.3 – beyond 100 μm) and adds a split-shortwave band (0.7 – 5 μm) to provide deeper insight into shortwave energy deposition. Libera leverages advanced detector technologies using vertically aligned black-carbon nanotubes with closed-loop electrical substitution radiometry to achieve radiometric uncertainty of approximately 0.2%. Libera will also employ a wide field-of-view camera to provide scene context and accelerate the development of the split-shortwave angular distribution models.

Libera’s stewardship of the ERB record begins in the latter part of this decade, at an important juncture in the monitoring of climate trends. Libera is currently slated for a launch aboard JPSS-3 in December 2027, when the probability of a CERES data gap will be approaching 50%. The Libera science objectives associated with continuity and extension of the ERB data record are to identify and quantify processes responsible for ERB variability on various times scales. Beyond data continuity, Libera’s new and enhanced observational capabilities will advance our understanding of spatiotemporal variations of radiative energy flow in the visible and near-infrared spectral regions in addition to facilitating the rapid development of new angular distribution models for near-infrared and visible radiance-to-irradiance conversion.

This talk provides an overview of the Libera’s observational strategy, its measurements, science goals and objectives. We discuss the importance of climate data record continuity in the context of the current climate state and anticipated changes over the next decade and beyond.