Moon-based Earth Radiation Budget Observation for Chang’e-7 Lunar Mission

The Moon, as Earth's only natural satellite, provides excellent positional resources and a supportive environment for Earth observations; lunar-based Earth observation has advantages such as minimal interference, stable orbit, and broad field of view, making it an ideal platform for observing macro phenomena on Earth. China's Chang'e phase 4 lunar exploration missions will carry out large-scale and long-term Earth observations. Conducting lunar-based Earth observations can also further enhance our understanding of Earth's resource environment while enriching the connotations of lunar exploration. Shenzhen University, leading a collaboration with scientists from France and Switzerland, has proposed an international cooperative payload named MERB (Moon-based Earth Radiation Budget). This payload has successfully passed the selection process and has been officially included as an international cooperative payload on the Chang'e-7 mission. MERB aims to measure the Earth's radiation budget from the unique vantage point of the Moon, providing data that is essential for improving our understanding of Earth's climate system and its variations over time. Based on simulations, the observing geometries, observing frequency, angular coverage and solar invasion effects of Chang’e-7 Moon Orbiter-based Earth observations were analyzed, and compared with the Moon Lander-based Earth observations. Besides, the interpreting method and application potentials of deep space-based Earth observation for Earth’s Radiation budget were also explored.