On Friday, NASA’s Calibration Absolute Radiance and Refractivity Observatory Pathfinder (CLARREO Pathfinder) instrument launched aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station as part of SpaceX’s 34th commercial resupply services mission for the agency. 

The CLARREO Pathfinder instrument uses an imaging spectrometer to take highly accurate measurements of sunlight reflected by Earth and the Moon, showcasing technology that can be used by Earth observations providers, helping to improve accuracy and efficiency across the industry. The CLARREO Pathfinder mission’s measurements, which are anchored to international standards, will be five to 10 times more accurate than those from existing sensors. 

The Dragon spacecraft will arrive at the orbiting outpost on Sunday, May 17. Extraction from the Dragon spacecraft trunk and installation of the instrument to the space station is expected to take place by robotic arm later this month. The instrument will then be commissioned over a period of months to test viability for calibration of satellites in government and commercial fleets.