The Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) experiment is one of the highest priority scientific satellite instruments developed for NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS)

The CERES Radiation and Validation Experiment (CRAVE) provide continuous world-class surface radiation measurements and validation of CERES and other satellite products. CRAVE consists of three sites (2 active and 1 legacy). One active site is Granite Island in Lake Superior, established in the summer of 2018, located 19 km (12 mi.) due North of Marquette, Michigan, and 10 km (6 mi.) to the closest land point. The second active site is at Nasa Langley in Hampton, Virginia, established December 2014. The legacy CERES Ocean Validation Experiment (COVE) at Chesapeake Light Station site was active from 2000-2016 and after 17 years of continuous operation has been indefinitely suspended due to structural concerns. COVE was located 25km (~15 mi.) to the closest land point in Virginia Beach.

All 3 sites belong to the Baseline Surface Radiation Network (BSRN), the gold standard for surface radiation measurements. The active sites are 2 of only 63 BSRN sites operational in the world.

For data access please visit the current and archival program links given below:
LaRC BSRN-PLUS DATA
GRANITE ISLAND BSRN-PLUS DATA
COVE BSRN-PLUS DATA
LEGACY COVE Site