European Space Agency’s Harmony mission will use ABB infrared instruments

• ABB to develop thermal imaging instrument to equip European Space Agency’s pair of Harmony satellites, to help research mission collect new data on Earth’s dynamic systems
• ABB technology will help advance climate science and better understand and predict extreme weather events
• The combination of thermal imaging and radar imaging provides a better understanding of the energy flows and exchange processes that occur at the interface between the ocean and the atmosphere

ZURICH, Nov. 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ABB has been selected by German space and technology company OHB System AG to develop and build the thermal imaging instruments for the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Earth Explorer Harmony satellites. , scheduled for launch in 2029. ABB will equip both satellites with multispectral infrared instruments in thermal bands capable of measuring a wide range of environmental parameters, including sea surface temperature, cloud position and movement . Financial details were not disclosed.

ABB’s multi-view instrument will enable ESA to measure the position and movement of clouds from space, ensuring radiometric precision, i.e. the accuracy of temperature measurement obtained by infrared instruments compared to the real temperature of the surface (clouds or sea). The data collected by the mission will help advance climate science and better understand and predict extreme weather events such as hurricanes. Additionally, on land, Harmony will provide information to estimate small changes in the shape of the earth’s surface, such as those resulting from earthquakes and volcanic activity. This will thus help to assess geological risks in geologically active areas.

“Harmony will allow us to better understand how our planet works by providing valuable data for Earth system science and climate research,” said Florence Hélière, Harmony project manager at the European Space Agency. “The expertise and commitment of our industrial partners are invaluable to the Harmony mission, helping us complete it on time and advance scientific knowledge. »

“We chose ABB for this high-profile assignment because of its recognized expertise in infrared sensors,” said Agustina Alvarez Toledo, Harmony Project Manager at OHB System AG. “We have already collaborated on several space programs and we know that they are very competent. We look forward to collaborating again to support the scientific community for the benefit of this generation and those that follow. »

“ABB’s goal is to realize a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. We are therefore proud to participate in this scientific program which will contribute to humanity’s understanding of climate change,” said Jacques Mulbert, President of ABB Measurement and Analysis. “As part of this collaboration, we are demonstrating our ability to provide precise cloud positioning and sea surface measurements from space, contributing to a better scientific understanding of our planet to preserve its future. »

The two satellites will move in orbit around Earth in tandem with the Sentinel-1 satellite in the Copernicus constellation, whose configuration will evolve during Harmony’s orbital life. In the different configurations, the SAR instruments on the Harmony satellites will receive radar signals from Sentinel-1 that bounce off the Earth’s surface. At the same time, Harmony’s thermal imaging instruments will provide complementary observations of the sea surface and the position and movement of clouds above it.

The combination of thermal imaging and radar imaging will provide a wide range of data and a better understanding of heat exchange in the upper ocean, the causes of extreme weather events and the impact on long term climate change. The mission will also provide new information to better understand how the loss of glacier ice affects sea level rise.

ABB is a global technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. By combining its expertise in engineering and digitalization, ABB helps industries achieve high-performance operations, while becoming more efficient, productive and sustainable in order to always stay one step ahead. At ABB we have a phrase to describe it: “When engineering surpasses itself”. The company builds on more than 140 years of history and employs more than 105,000 people worldwide. ABB shares are listed on the Swiss SIX Stock Exchange (ABBN) and Nasdaq Stockholm (ABB). www.abb.com

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