The Chemical and Aerosol Sounding Satellite (CASS): An Update
Abstract
Profiles of stratospheric ozone, aerosols, halogenated species, and other trace gases are currently measured from the EOS/AURA instruments, the Canadian ACE-FTS instrument aboard SCISAT-1, and (for large aerosol optical depths) the CALIPSO/CALIOP instrument. Instruments aboard the ENVISAT satellite also measure ozone and other stratospheric trace gases. All of the above instruments are estimated to last until around 2014. The following satellite mission targeted for measurements in the stratosphere and upper troposphere is the GACM mission, a Tier-3 mission recommended by the NRC Decadal Survey, which will not be launched until after 2020. In order to provide continuity in measurements of composition in the UT/LS and the rest of the stratosphere, the CASS mission is being studied. This mission would fly an existing copy of the SAGE III instrument, and a future copy of the current ACE-FTS instrument, at an orbital inclination of 58°, allowing sufficient sampling from high latitudes to the tropics. We present a mission update, including work that has been carried out in assessing the status of the SAGE III instrument in storage at NASA/LaRC, and future plans for the ACE-FTS instrument. In addition, scientific Level 1 requirements will be presented, as well as other potential scientific benefits of this mission.
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2009
- Bibcode:
- 2009AGUFM.A51K..03R
- Keywords:
-
- 0300 ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE;
- 0305 ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE / Aerosols and particles;
- 0340 ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE / Middle atmosphere: composition and chemistry;
- 0394 ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE / Instruments and techniques