NASA's Groundbreaking Moonlit Mission

In an extraordinary operation beneath a waxing Moon in March 2025, NASA's ER-2 aircraft morphed into a lunar observatory, soaring high above the clouds from the Armstrong Flight Research Center in California. This nighttime mission, dubbed Airborne Lunar Spectral Irradiance (air-LUSI), is crucial for advancing Earth science.

Precision Calibration from Above

Armed with a sophisticated spectroradiometer, the air-LUSI instrument captured moonlight across multiple wavelengths and phases. By examining how the Sun’s light reflects off the Moon, researchers are fine-tuning Earth-observing satellites like never before. Kevin Turpie, principal investigator at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, emphasized, "The Moon serves as a perfect benchmark for satellites to measure Earth's dynamic processes with precision."

Soaring High for Unmatched Clarity

Flying at an altitude of nearly 70,000 feet, the ER-2 provided an unobstructed view of 95% of Earth's atmosphere. This lofty position minimizes atmospheric discrepancies, resulting in unprecedented clarity of measurements. Kelsey Bisson, a NASA program scientist, declared that air-LUSI’s moon measurements are the most precise ever captured, enhancing our understanding of weather patterns and environmental changes.

Revolutionizing Cost and Quality

The air-LUSI project not only boosts data quality but also paves the way for significant cost-saving opportunities. By delivering high-fidelity calibrations, air-LUSI diminishes the need for expensive onboard reference devices on satellites, leading to more efficient missions.

Collaborative Innovation Across Borders

This ambitious project is a collaborative effort between NASA, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the U.S. Geological Survey, the University of Maryland Baltimore County, and Canada’s McMaster University. McMaster played a vital role by developing essential hardware for the mission, including the Autonomous Robotic Telescope Mount Instrument System and the High-Altitude Aircraft Mounted Robotic (HAAMR) telescope mount, enabling precise lunar tracking during the campaign.

A New Era in Earth Observation

Andrew Gadsden, an associate professor at McMaster and project co-investigator, celebrates this collaboration: "The partnership between American and Canadian teams exemplifies true engineering and science synergy." The successful deployment of the HAAMR system marks a transformative leap in airborne lunar observation, as noted by co-investigator John Woodward IV, who heralds these "highest accuracy measurements" of lunar light as game-changers for future Earth observation initiatives.