Teledyne e2v Space Imaging has officially joined the UK-led climate change TRUTHS mission in a signing ceremony at COP 28. As part of The European Space Agency’s Earth Watch programme, the TRUTHS consortium aims to establish a space-based climate and calibration observatory. This observatory will not only enhance confidence in climate change forecasts but also support net zero mitigation strategies and their impact.
The primary objective of the TRUTHS mission is to collect precise measurements of energy from the Sun entering the Earth's atmosphere, as well as the light reflected off the Earth's surface. These measurements will contribute to a better understanding of global warming and the impact of human activities on the planet.
Following the successful study-phase, Teledyne e2v Space Imaging has been awarded the contract to supply the TRUTHS hyperspectral sensor. Additionally, they will be responsible for the full design, manufacture, and Technology Readiness Level (TRL) raising activities of the associated front-end electronics. These critical technologies will be integrated into the Hyperspectral Imaging Spectrometer (HIS), which will acquire radiation measurements across the entire spectral range, from ultraviolet to infrared.
"Our sensor and electronics onboard TRUTHS will serve as the enabling technology for this space-based metrology laboratory dedicated to climate change forecasting. They will play a crucial role in providing climate decision-makers with reliable data gathered from space," says Antonino Spatola, representative of Teledyne e2v Space Imaging.
The TRUTHS mission aims to become a "standards laboratory in space," setting the "gold standard" reference for climate measurements. By ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the data used for climate change mitigation strategies and policymaking, TRUTHS will contribute to the global net zero agenda. The mission is scheduled to launch in 2030.