<title>EOS-AM1: project update</title>

Abstract

EOS-AM1 is the initial component of NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS). EOS serves as the centerpiece for Mission to Planet Earth (MTPE) and is to provide satellite observations to determine extent, causes, and regional consequences of global climate change. EOS-AM1 is specifically focused on the characterization of terrestrial and oceanic surfaces; clouds, radiation, and aerosols; and the earth's radiative balance. It carries five advanced instruments: advanced spaceborne thermal emission and reflection radiometer (ASTER), clouds and earth's radiant energy system (CERES), multi-angle imaging spectroradiometer (MISR), moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS), and measurements of pollution in the troposphere (MOPITT). They are provided by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry of Japan, NASA's Langley Research Center, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, and the Canadian Space Agency, respectively. The project is currently in its C/D phase and is maintaining schedule for a June 1998 launch. During the past year all of the instruments and the spacecraft successfully completed their critical design reviews (CDRs) and engineering model fabrication, integration, and testing. Fabrication and integration of flight model hardware is underway. Results of these activities and the current development status are discussed. The EOS-AM1 project is managed by Goddard Space Flight Center.