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The two PREFIRE cubesats, operating in different sun-synchronous orbital planes, each carry a thermal infrared spectrometer. The spacecraft will measure the infrared emissions at the poles, filling in gaps in data about those regions that can be used to improve climate models. “This will improve prediction of sea ice loss, ice sheet melt and sea level rise, creating a better understanding of how our planet’s system will change in the coming years,” Karen St. Germain, NASA Earth science division director, said in a statement, “crucial information to farmers tracking changes in weather and water, fishing fleets working in changing seas and coastal communities building resilience.”