Ever wonder how scientists get incredibly precise measurements of our planet from space? NASA’s innovative air-LUSI mission utilizes moonlight for calibrating Earth-observing satellites, promising enhanced accuracy and cost-effectiveness. Learn how this groundbreaking project is revolutionizing Earth observation by leveraging the consistent brightness of the Moon for improved data quality.
Lunar light Powers Next-Gen Earth Observation
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NASA’s air-LUSI mission uses moonlight as a calibration tool for earth-observing satellites, promising enhanced accuracy and cost savings.
The Mission: Airborne Lunar Spectral Irradiance (air-LUSI)
In March 2025, NASA embarked on an innovative mission, transforming its ER-2 aircraft into a high-altitude lunar observatory. Flying from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in California, these nighttime flights supported the airborne Lunar Spectral Irradiance, or air-LUSI, project.
- Objective: to refine the calibration of Earth-observing satellites.
- Method: Measuring moonlight at various wavelengths and lunar phases.
- Significance: Enhancing the accuracy of satellite data used to monitor Earth’s systems.
Moonlight: The Ultimate Calibration Tool
The Moon’s consistent brightness makes it an ideal reference point for calibrating satellite sensors. As an absolute reference, the Moon also becomes the perfect benchmark for satellites to consistently and accurately measure processes on Earth,
explained Kevin Turpie, air-LUSI principal investigator at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.
This calibration is crucial for satellites tracking changes in Earth’s weather patterns, ecosystems, and ocean dynamics.
ER-2: A stratospheric Vantage Point
The ER-2 aircraft’s high-altitude flights, reaching nearly 70,000 feet, provide a important advantage. At this altitude, the aircraft is above 95% of Earth’s atmosphere, minimizing atmospheric interference and ensuring remarkably pure data.
Unprecedented Accuracy, Potential Cost Savings
The air-LUSI project is setting new standards in measurement accuracy. To date, air-LUSI measurements of the Moon are the most accurate ever made,
stated Kelsey Bisson, NASA program scientist supporting the project. Air-LUSI data can advance our ability to understand the Earth and our weather, and they provide a new way to calibrate satellites that can result in cost savings.
By providing high-fidelity calibration, air-LUSI reduces the reliance on expensive onboard reference devices on satellites, improving data quality and potentially lowering mission costs.
A Collaborative Effort
Air-LUSI is a joint project involving multiple organizations:
- NASA
- The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
- The U.S. Geological Survey
- The University of Maryland Baltimore County
- McMaster University (Canada)
McMaster University played a crucial role,developing the Autonomous Robotic Telescope Mount Instrument System and the High-altitude aircraft Mounted Robotic (HAAMR) telescope mount. These systems enabled precise lunar tracking during flight.
The collective effort of the American and Canadian team members offers an prospect for truly exciting engineering and science collaboration.
Andrew Gadsden, associate professor at McMaster and a co-investigator on the project
HAAMR: A New Era in Lunar Observation
The successful integration and operation of the HAAMR system mark a significant advancement in airborne lunar observation. According to co-investigator John Woodward IV, these highest accuracy measurements
of lunar light are now enhancing Earth observation systems.
