Mission Design for Continental-Scale Carbon Cycle Applications

Carbon cycle scientific requirements in both land and ocean studies point toward the need for multiple spectrally detailed observations per day. For terrestrial research, accurate estimates of carbon, water and energy (CWE) exchange between the terrestrial biosphere and atmosphere are needed to identify the geographical locations of carbon sources/sinks and to improve regional climate models and global climate change assessments. It is an enormous challenge to estimate CWE exchange from the infrequent temporal coverage provided by most polar-orbiting satellites, and without benefit of spectral indices that capture vegetation responses to stress conditions that down-regulate photosynthesis. Physiological status can be better assessed with spectral indices based on narrow (<10 nm) bands. Sensors that can measure CWE exchange would also provide accurate biomass observations, although geosynchronous platforms are not required to observe the slowly changing land biomass and biomass change. A hyperspectral instrument (400-1000 nm) would enable improved estimates of seasonal and annual terrestrial productivity, using narrow band and red edge indices not available with current of near-future operational satellites. The overall goal for geosynchronous ocean observations is to predict the variability of carbon uptake in the ocean, and thereby evaluate its role in climate change scenarios. In the plan for developing new observations, we need to: 1)continue to improve estimates of ocean productivity; and 2 expand the emphasis of coastal ocean processes and specific regions of critical importance. Remote sensing of the coastal ocean represents a unique challenge due to the small-scale spatial variability and elevated concentrations of dissolved organic carbon, detritus and chlorophyll, which are difficult to distinguish, because they absorb light intensely in the blue spectrum. Observations in the ultraviolet are essential to improve our capability to distinguish these ocean constituents. A hyperspectral instrument design capable of observing in the ultraviolet, in addition to the visible and near infrared spectrum, is essential to investigate the variability, dynamics and biogeochemical cycles of the world's coastal and open ocean regions. For both terrestrial and ocean carbon cycle science objectives, a hyperspectral geostationary sensor should enable the development of new remote sensing measurements for important but as yet unobservable variables, and with the overall goal of linking both terrestrial and ocean carbon cycle processes to climate variability. The GSFC Carbon Team has been pursuing a geosynchronous hyperspectral instrument, which would revolutionize our knowledge of biological processes on land, in the ocean, and along the coast by providing multiple, diurnal coverage. Preliminary studies in Goddard's Instrument Synthesis and Analysis Laboratory indicate that we can meet many of our science requirements: full spectral coverage (360-1000 nm); narrow bandwidths (5-10 nm); adequate ground resolution (100-200 m); and continental-scale coverage 4-6 times per day; all the while achieving a signal to noise ratio of between 500 and 1000 to 1. An innovative and bold focal plane design and a large mirror (1.8 meter diameter) will be required.