Technology

NASA Launches Small Climate Satellite to Study Earth’s Poles

Published

2 years ago

May 25, 2024

WASHINGTON, May 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The first of a pair of climate satellites designed to study heat emissions at Earth’s poles for NASA is in orbit after lifting off atop Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket from the company’s Launch Complex 1 in Māhia, New Zealand at 7:41 p.m. NZST (3:41 a.m. EDT) on Saturday.

The agency’s PREFIRE (Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-InfraRed Experiment) mission consists of two shoebox-size cube satellites, or CubeSats, that will measure the amount of heat Earth radiates into space from two of the coldest, most remote regions on the planet. Data from the PREFIRE mission will help researchers better predict how Earth’s ice, seas, and weather will change in a warming world.

“NASA’s innovative PREFIRE mission will fill a gap in our understanding of the Earth system – providing our scientists a detailed picture of how Earth’s polar regions influence how much energy our planet absorbs and releases,” said Karen St. Germain, director of NASA’s Earth Science Division in Washington. “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 — crucial information to farmers tracking changes in weather and water, fishing fleets working in changing seas, and coastal communities building resilience.”

Ground controllers successfully established communications with the CubeSat at 8:48 EDT. The second PREFIRE CubeSat will set off on its own Electron rocket from Launch Complex 1 in the coming days. Following a 30-day checkout period during which engineers and scientists will make sure both CubeSats are working normally, the mission is expected to operate for 10 months.

At the heart of the PREFIRE mission is Earth’s energy budget – the balance between incoming heat energy from the Sun and the outgoing heat given off by the planet. The difference between the two is what determines the planet’s temperature and climate. A lot of the heat radiated from the Arctic and Antarctica is emitted as far-infrared radiation, but there is currently no detailed measurement of this type of energy.

The water vapor content of the atmosphere, along with the presence, structure, and composition of clouds, influences the amount of far-infrared radiation that escapes into space from Earth’s poles. Data collected from PREFIRE will give researchers information on where and when far-infrared energy radiates from the Arctic and Antarctic environments into space.

“The PREFIRE CubeSats may be small, but they’re going to close a big gap in our knowledge about Earth’s energy budget,” said Laurie Leshin, director, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. “Their observations will help us understand the fundamentals of Earth’s heat balance, allowing us to better predict how our ice, seas, and weather will change in the face of global warming.”

The mission’s CubeSats each carry an instrument called a thermal infrared spectrometer, which use specially shaped mirrors and sensors to measure infrared wavelengths. Miniaturizing the instruments to fit on CubeSats necessitated downsizing some parts while scaling up other components.

“Our planet is changing quickly, and in places like the Arctic, in ways that people have never experienced before,” said Tristan L’Ecuyer, PREFIRE’s principal investigator, University of Wisconsin, Madison. “NASA’s PREFIRE will give us new measurements of the far-infrared wavelengths being emitted from Earth’s poles, which we can use to improve climate and weather models and help people around the world deal with the consequences of climate change.”

NASA’s Launch Services Program, based out of the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, in partnership with NASA’s Earth System Science Pathfinder Program is providing the launch service as part of the agency’s Venture-class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare (VADR) launch services contract.

The PREFIRE mission was jointly developed by NASA and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. NASA JPL manages the mission for the agency’s Science Mission Directorate and provided the spectrometers. Blue Canyon Technologies built the CubeSats and the University of Wisconsin-Madison will process the data the instruments collect. The launch services provider is Rocket Lab USA Inc. of Long Beach, California.

To learn more about PREFIRE, visit:

https://science.nasa.gov/mission/prefire/

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SOURCE NASA

Technology

Chaberton Energy RFP Seeks Farming Partners for two Maryland Agrivoltaics Projects

Published

35 minutes ago

April 23, 2026

Agrivoltaics co-locates solar facilities and agricultural activity while creating access to lower-cost energy for community members during a time of spiking prices.

Chaberton is partnering with Okovate Sustainable Energy to select farmers for the Montgomery County, Md., projects.

ROCKVILLE, Md., April 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Chaberton Energy invites Maryland farmers to respond to two requests for proposal (RFPs) to farm up to 27 acres of land in Montgomery County as part of an agrivoltaics initiative. Agrivoltaics is the practice of co-locating solar power projects with farming activities.

This opportunity will provide selected farmers with access to land at no cost as well as compensation for vegetation management at the site. Chaberton is working with Okovate Sustainable Energy to solicit and evaluate proposals from farmers interested in using the land under and between the projects’ rows of solar panels for crop farming and/or animal grazing.

The RFPs come at a time when Maryland imports more than 40% of its electricity, leaving ratepayers exposed to volatile wholesale prices. These projects bring distributed solar closer to the communities that need it most, providing lower-cost energy to nearly 1,000 local households while supporting agricultural businesses in the area.

“These projects are among Montgomery County’s first agrivoltaics projects,” said Ryan Boswell, vice president of development for Chaberton Energy. “Everybody benefits when farmers, communities, local governments and energy developers work together toward a shared set of goals.”

The solar projects align with Maryland’s renewable energy and agricultural sustainability goals. Selected farmers will develop tailored farming plans for each site and seek the required review from the Montgomery County Office of Agriculture.

“Together we’re building out the energy network we need while keeping agricultural land productive,” said Miles Braxton, CEO and co-founder of Okovate. “This is an opportunity to provide land access to local farmers looking to expand or start their operations, while also leasing land for solar that helps meet the growing energy demand.”

Chaberton Solar Sugarloaf in Dickerson, Md., will have a generating capacity of 5.23 megawatts. It spans 19 acres, with 16 acres covered by the solar array and a 3-acre buffer zone. Approximately 10 acres of land in between solar panel rows and a total of 13 acres are available for agricultural use.

Chaberton Solar Ramiere in Poolesville, Md., is a 3.88 megawatt project spanning 11 acres, with approximately 8 acres covered by the solar array and a 2-acre buffer zone. Approximately 5 acres of land in between solar panel rows and a total of 7 acres are available for agricultural use.

Farmers or agricultural operators responding to the RFPs must submit a proposal that provides a clear vision for how they will utilize one or both agrivoltaics sites and outlines their approach to vegetation management, agricultural production and sustainable practices. Complete information as well as application forms are available at chaberton.com/RFP26.

About Chaberton Energy
Chaberton Energy is a public benefit corporation developing community-scale energy projects, with a focus on distributed solar and battery energy storage. A national developer with roots in the communities it serves, Chaberton is a two-time Inc. 5000 awardee, ranking in 2025 as the No. 53 fastest-growing private company in America and the No. 2 energy company on the list. With a commitment to creativity, excellence, and humanity, Chaberton’s team develops distributed solar and battery energy storage projects that improve grid reliability and resilience while lowering electricity costs for community members and businesses.

Media Contact
Lia Morrison
lia.morrison@chaberton.com
412-573-9095

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chaberton-energy-rfp-seeks-farming-partners-for-two-maryland-agrivoltaics-projects-302752253.html

SOURCE Chaberton Energy

Technology

Empire Asset Finance Adds Katharine Rudzitis as Vice President, Direct Originations

Published

35 minutes ago

April 23, 2026

Empire Asset Finance, LLC (“Empire”) has added Katharine Rudzitis as Vice President, Direct Originations, further expanding the firm’s direct origination capabilities as it continues to scale its equipment finance platform serving middle-market, private equity-sponsored, and non-sponsored companies.

NEW YORK, April 23, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Empire Asset Finance, LLC (“Empire”) has added Katharine Rudzitis as Vice President, Direct Originations, further expanding the firm’s direct origination capabilities as it continues to scale its equipment finance platform serving middle-market, private equity-sponsored, and non-sponsored companies.

Rudzitis brings more than a decade of experience originating and executing asset-backed transactions for North American businesses. She partners closely with corporate borrowers, private equity sponsors, and advisors to deliver flexible, tailored equipment financing solutions across a wide range of company stages and credit profiles.

Prior to joining Empire, Rudzitis spent ten years at Macquarie Group, where she focused on providing equipment finance solutions for clients across the manufacturing, industrial, commodity, and technology sectors.

“Katharine brings deep experience navigating complex equipment and asset-backed transactions and a thoughtful, solutions-oriented approach to serving middle-market clients,” said Rick Rockhold, CEO of Empire. “She understands how to deliver flexible capital solutions that align with sponsor and borrower objectives, and we are excited to have her join Empire as we continue to grow our direct origination platform.”

“Her institutional background and disciplined approach to sourcing and executing transactions are highly aligned with how we operate,” said Mike Miroshnikov, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Credit Officer of Empire. “Katharine brings a strong ability to navigate complex situations, combined with a structured, process-driven mindset that supports consistency and high-quality outcomes across a wide range of client needs.”

In her role, Rudzitis will focus on expanding Empire’s direct origination efforts and deepening relationships with private equity sponsors, corporate borrowers, and advisors.

Rudzitis holds a BA in Mathematics, English, and Classics from Amherst College.

About Empire Asset Finance, LLC

Empire Asset Finance, LLC is a direct private credit lender focused on mid-to large-ticket equipment financing solutions for underserved middle-market companies. Backed by Arena Investors LP, Empire delivers flexible capital structures, white-glove service, and technology-driven execution that empowers businesses to grow while preserving liquidity.

About Arena Investors, LP

Arena Investors, LP is a global institutional asset manager founded in 2015 by Daniel Zwirn, a veteran investor with over two decades of experience building alternative asset platforms. Arena is a global multi-strategy investment firm with approximately $4.6 billion of assets under management and programmatic capital as of June 30, 2025. The firm is a subsidiary of Arena Investors Group Holdings (“AIGH”). AIGH, along with its affiliate, Ceres Life Insurance, comprises the Westaim Corporation (TSXV: “WED”), an integrated asset management and life insurance and annuity provider.

Media Contact

Rick Rockhold, Empire Asset Finance, LLC, 1 7189643439, rrockhold@empireassetfinance.com, http://www.empireassetfinance.com/

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/empire-asset-finance-adds-katharine-rudzitis-as-vice-president-direct-originations-302751354.html

SOURCE Empire Asset Finance, LLC

Technology

OverActive Media to Host Fourth Quarter 2025 Conference Call

Published

35 minutes ago

April 23, 2026

TORONTO, April 23, 2026 /CNW/ – OverActive Media Corp. (“OverActive” or the “Company”) (TSXV: OAM) (OTC: OAMCF) (WKN: A3CSPU) (FSE: 0RB), a global digital media, esports and entertainment company for today’s generation of fans will report its fourth quarter 2025 results after market close on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. The Company will hold a conference call the following day, call hosted by Adam Adamou, CEO and Co-Founder.

WHAT: Q4 2025 Earnings Conference Call

WHEN: Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. ET
Please connect at least 15 minutes before the conference call.

PARTICIPANT INFORMATION

To join the conference call without operator assistance, you may register and enter your phone number at https://emportal.ink/4tu24C0 to receive an instant automated callback.

You can also dial directly to be entered into the call by an operator.

Call Details: 416-945-7677 or 1-888-699-1199

The conference call will be webcast live in its entirety at 9:00 a.m. ET at https://app.webinar.net/lqrNZlWd29V, and it will be archived for three months.

Links to SEDAR filings and press releases are available on the investor website at https://overactivemedia.com/pages/filings.

TELEPHONIC REPLAY

Call Details: 289-819-1450 or 1-888-660-6345
Encore Replay Entry Code: 96797 #
Encore Replay Expiration Date: Wednesday, May 6, 2026

About OverActive Media

OverActive Media Corp. (TSXV: OAM) (OTC:OAMCF) (WKN:A3CSPU) (FSE:0RB) is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, with operations in Madrid, Spain and Berlin, Germany, is a premier global esports and entertainment company for today’s generation of fan. OverActive Media owns team franchises in professional esports leagues, including the Call of Duty League, operating as the Toronto KOI, the League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC), operating as Movistar KOI, operating as Movistar KOI in other professional esports leagues and competitions. OverActive also operates ActiveVoices, an AI-driven content localization and monetization platform that enables creators and brands to expand their audiences globally and unlock new revenue streams through automated translation, dubbing, and distribution.

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE Overactive Media Corp.