News & Outreach – CLARREO Pathfinder

Current Status

CLARREO Pathfinder Conducts Successful Delta Pre-Environmental Review (PER)

The CLARREO Pathfinder project conducted a successful payload-level Delta Pre-Environmental Review (PER) on March 27th, 2024 via a hybrid/virtual meeting at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA and at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) in Boulder, CO.

The project conducted the main portion of the payload-level Pre-Environmental Review (PER) on December 13th, 2023. One week prior to the main PER (December 6th, 2023), a payload-level electrical issue was identified that prevented successful completion of some test scripts that comprised the payload-level Comprehensive Performance Test (CPT). It’s important to note that most test scripts that comprised the CPT had completed successfully. The team proceeded with the PER knowing a delta-PER would be necessary once the electrical issues were resolved. The payload-level electrical issues have now been resolved and the CPT has been completed. The payload is now ready to proceed to payload-level environmental testing.

Team Updates

The payload has been mounted, the launch locks engaged, and the Melinex tent and workhorse blankets installed in preparation of shipment to Electro-Mechanical Industries (EMI). Photo credit: LASP
✅ NASA's CLARREO Pathfinder (CPF) payload has been integrated!
There are still a few boxes to check before CPF can start measuring Earth's climate aboard the International Space Station.
Up next are tests to demonstrate that the payload can withstand launch conditions and operate in the unique space environment. Credits: LASP
Vibe check! NASA's CLARREO Pathfinder will detect subtle changes in the Earth's climate using instruments like the HySICS spectrometer, which recently completed characterization & environmental testing, including vibration tests. Credits: LASP
Project Manager Gary Fleming is recognized for his role as a mentor at the LaRC MERGE Mentor Awards. He received three separate nominations for this award! Congratulations, Gary! Credits: NASA
Dr. Yolanda Shea shares her story of her career path to Earth science research at NASA in her Behind the Science interview available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1s5ow--lLs
Congratulations to Raj Bhatt on receiving the Journal of Applied Science Remote Sensing 2022 Best Paper Award for Theoretical Innovation!
Congratulations to CLARREO Pathfinder’s Associate Project Manager, Stephanie Harrison, on receiving the NASA Guiding Star Mentor Award for her exceptional mentorship, fostering inspiration, and dedication to the future diverse generation of NASA’s talent. Stephanie has been a mentor to our NASA Pathways Intern, Kaitlyn Bebb for the past 2 years. Images of the 2022 MERGE (Mentoring Employees to Realize Goals and Experiences) Mentoring Awards held in the Reid Auditorium. Photo credit: NASA LaRC, Mark Knopp
Xu Liu receives NASA Agency Honor Award for Exceptional Scientific Achievement.
Yolanda Shea & Gary Fleming share the importance of CLARREO Pathfinder with Bill Nelson, NASA Administrator, and members of Congress during their visit to NASA Langley. (Photo credit: NASA/David C. Bowman)
The CLARREO Pathfinder (CPF) team virtually hosted an open science workshop on November 2-3, 2021. Over 60 attendees participated in the workshop each day, learning about the mission and exchanging ideas about how CPF measurements can best support the climate science community. (Photo credit: NASA/Yolanda Shea).
Congratulations to CLARREO Pathfinder's Data Management Team Lead Chris Currey on receiving the NASA 40 Year Service Award!
The CLARREO Pathfinder team celebrates completing & shipping the Power Converter Unit (PCU) to partner LASP. The PCU serves as the power interface between CLARREO Pathfinder and the ISS, ensuring that the right level of power is delivered to the rest of the CLARREO Pathfinder payload. (Photo credit: NASA/Mark Knopp).
CLARREO Pathfinder (CPF) Team member Stephanie Harrison receives a certificate of appreciation for her work on the Power Converter Unit (PCU). (Photo credit: NASA/Mark Knopp).
Members of the GSFC GLAMR team (Julia Barsi and Joel McCorkel pictured here) attended the successful launch of Landsat-9 on September 27, 2021. The GLAMR facility was used to characterize the Landsat-9 OLI-2 spectral response and will be used to verify the calibration model of the CLARREO Pathfinder HySICS instrument. Launch photo credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls
Congratulations to Bruce Wielicki on receiving the AMS Warren Washington Research and Leadership Medal!
Celebrating CLARREO Pathfinder engineer Stephen Bowen who graduated with a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree from the University of Colorado Boulder!
CPF Deputy Project Manager Nalin Ratnayake received a NASA Special Act Award for his extraordinary leadership as a Contracting Officer's Representative on a NIA contract and Cooperative Agreement. He successfully led an effort to bring software-related work packages into full compliance. The CPF team is lucky to have an award winning COR on our team!
Former CPF Program Executive Dr. Tahani Amer recently delivered a STEM talk to students at the U.S. Embassy in Egypt where she shared about NASA Earth Science missions including CLARREO PF.
Assisted by Nancy Holloway, Gary Fleming recognized those who worked on the CLARREO Pathfinder 3D model. Credits: NASA/David C. Bowman
Featured on NASA Tumblr, CLARREO Pathfinder's Project Scientist Yolanda Shea answers several questions about her career path and current role at NASA as an Earth Scientist. Read more here: https://nasa.tumblr.com/post/649179586737963008/nasa-spotlight-earth-climate-scientist-dr
CLARREO Pathfinder team members after a successful Preliminary Design Review (PDR) at LASP in May 2019 Credit: Amber Dooley


CPF in the News
New space instrument to peer at light reflecting from Earth, achieve record accuracy | November 29, 2022
NASA Administrator, Local NSBE Jr. Chapter Marvel at Langley During Tour | February 25, 2022
CLARREO Pathfinder Team Celebrates Completion of Milestone | November 2, 2021
CLARREO Pathfinder Power Converter Unit Completed | September 1, 2021
How Scientists Are Using the International Space Station to Study Earth's Climate | April 20, 2021
NASA doing 'preparatory work' for climate push, acting chief says | February 19, 2021
3D Model Will Aid in Development of Climate Instrument | NASA.gov | February 2, 2021
Earth science missions are still challenged 50 years after 1st Earth Day | Space.com | April 22, 2020
Congresswoman Elaine Luria Secures Funding for Important NASA Priorities in House-Passed Bill | Luria Press Release | June 25, 2019
Balancing Earth’s energy checkbook | Boulder Weekly | May 30, 2019
House bill restores funding to Earth science and astrophysics missions | Space News | May 22, 2019
NASA Awards Contract for Climate Pathfinder Mission Instrument | NASA | September 27, 2018
CLARREO Pathfinder Undergoes Successful Mission Concept Review | NASA | September 15, 2016