NASA and the Italian Space Agency (ASI) have entered into a significant agreement to collaborate on the SBG-TIR mission, following a 2023 pact aimed at leveraging advanced space technologies for global challenges.
The mission will focus on obtaining radiometric and multispectral measurements of emissions from land and water, contributing to climate, ecological, and geological analyses, as well as applications in food security and water management. The integration of NASA's thermal infrared (TIR) radiometer with ASI's VIS-NIR camera will enable high-resolution observations of ecosystems, while also monitoring critical events such as wildfires and volcanic activity.
Additionally, the satellite will feature the VIREO instrument, developed by Leonardo in partnership with ASI, which will capture images across visible and near-infrared (VNIR) spectra to enhance data collection.
Teodoro Valente, President of ASI, remarked on the contract's significance for bilateral cooperation with NASA, emphasizing its role in addressing climate change and environmental monitoring. He stated that the integration of their satellites would yield a clearer understanding of Earth's state.
Giampiero Di Paolo, Deputy CEO at Thales Alenia Space, highlighted the contract's importance for Italy, enhancing its Earth observation capabilities and benefiting the scientific community.
The mission will be jointly managed by ASI and NASA, overseeing system management, payload integration, and launch operations, including the integration of the TIR and VIREO sensors.