FORUM
The Far-infrared Outgoing Radiation Understanding and Monitoring (FORUM) mission will improve climate models and, therefore, climate prediction.
An artist impression of what FORUM could look like. Credit: Airbus
FORUM will measure radiation emitted by Earth into space, giving a high-resolution view of Earth’s greenhouse effect. FORUM measures across the Earth’s entire far-infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum which enables better climate prediction through improved modelling.
Key Facts:
-
UK has invested in the ESA Earth Observation Envelope Programme - ESA EOEP-4, EOEP-5, and FutureEO programmes.
-
FORUM is also a part of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Earth Explorer missions which focuses on the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere and the Earth’s interior with the overall aim of learning more about the interactions between these components and the impact that human activity is having on natural Earth processes.
-
Contracts are expected to be signed in 2021 and the mission is due to launch in 2026.
Stakeholders: Dr Helen Brindley, from the Department of Physics at Imperial college London, helped to lead the science for FORUM and secure its selection by ESA. ESA. Airbus UK & RAL Space OR TAS UK (TBC).