Mechanical Design of the Merlin Payload

Merlin (Methane Remote Sensing LIDAR Mission) is a joint CNES/DLR mission aimed at achieving a better understanding of the global methane cycle and of the processes that control the changes of atmospheric methane by exchange of methane between biosphere and atmosphere.Airbus Defence and Space has been selected by DLR as the prime contractor for the payload, which is based on the use of an IPDA LIDAR instrument.The paper shows the mechanical architecture of the payload, whose core consists of a CFRP optical bank supporting the laser source as well as two telescopes for transmission and reception of the LIDAR signal. It also provides an overview of how the mechanical design copes with the challenges posed by accommodation, thermo-elastic and environmental requirements.