Session
Weekday Session 3: Science/Mission Payloads
Location
Utah State University, Logan, UT
Abstract
Following the advent of small satellites and the development of science quality miniature payloads, we are implementing a private constellation (the climate-n missions where n is the number of the satellite) of small satellites for the measurement of particulate aerosols and greenhouse gases from space. The two main payloads for this mission are a multi-angle imaging polarimeter designed for the detailed measurement of aerosol particle properties and cloud microphysics, and a shortwave infrared spectrometer optimized for the measurement of carbon dioxide (CO2) and Methane (CH4).
The first demonstrator for the polarimeter payload (GAPMAP-0) was launched in early 2023 in a 6U satellite. The first science images from GAPMAP-0 were collected in June 2023 and we currently have data over biomass burning smoke, dust, urban pollution aerosols, and clouds over multiple regions around the globe. The GAPMAP level 1 data is processed to produce geo-referenced, geo-located, calibrated, multi-angle, multiwavelength, polarization data. Level 2 retrievals are performed with the GRASP algorithm. The second GAPMAP in the series (Climate-1) will be a 12U satellite with two payloads: a copy of the GAPMAP-0 multiangle polarimeter, and the SWIR spectrometer for the greenhouse gases measurements.
The goal of the Climate-n constellation is to have multiple satellites (10-40 satellites) covering different sun-synchronous crossing times as well as orbits with different inclinations in order to obtain coverage of worldwide Mega-Cities as well as to provide synergy with multiple existing satellites including VIIRS, MODIS, TEMPO, PACE, etc. The Climate-n satellites in inclined orbit will cross multiple sun-synchronous satellites, multiple times at the same day, allowing for important cross calibration exercises between the different satellites and payloads.
The Climate-n constellation also contains a ground-based component that includes a network of in situ measurements specially designed to work in synergy with the satellite retrievals of aerosol and gases. On the aerosol side, a series of polarized polar nephelometers (the IMAP instrument), measuring aerodynamically selected particles will provide similar measurements as the satellite but, at the nose level, where the PM 2.5 particulates really affect human health. The IMAP instrument uses the same algorithm (GRASP) as the satellites and provides the connection between optically retrieved parameters (similar to the satellite retrievals) and the aerodynamic particles sizes that penetrate deep into the human lung. Similar ground based measurements will be performed with a network of greenhouse gas instruments to work in synergy with the satellite retrievals.
The combination of the total column measurements provided by the satellite and the in-situ measurements by the IMAP network, and by the greenhouse gas sensors will improve our understanding of how satellites can assess the effects of air pollution aerosols on human health, and greenhouse gas emissions on the Earth's climate.
The Climate-n Constellation of Small Satellites for the Detailed Measurement of Aerosol Pollution, Cloud Properties, and Greenhouse Gases
Utah State University, Logan, UT
Following the advent of small satellites and the development of science quality miniature payloads, we are implementing a private constellation (the climate-n missions where n is the number of the satellite) of small satellites for the measurement of particulate aerosols and greenhouse gases from space. The two main payloads for this mission are a multi-angle imaging polarimeter designed for the detailed measurement of aerosol particle properties and cloud microphysics, and a shortwave infrared spectrometer optimized for the measurement of carbon dioxide (CO2) and Methane (CH4).
The first demonstrator for the polarimeter payload (GAPMAP-0) was launched in early 2023 in a 6U satellite. The first science images from GAPMAP-0 were collected in June 2023 and we currently have data over biomass burning smoke, dust, urban pollution aerosols, and clouds over multiple regions around the globe. The GAPMAP level 1 data is processed to produce geo-referenced, geo-located, calibrated, multi-angle, multiwavelength, polarization data. Level 2 retrievals are performed with the GRASP algorithm. The second GAPMAP in the series (Climate-1) will be a 12U satellite with two payloads: a copy of the GAPMAP-0 multiangle polarimeter, and the SWIR spectrometer for the greenhouse gases measurements.
The goal of the Climate-n constellation is to have multiple satellites (10-40 satellites) covering different sun-synchronous crossing times as well as orbits with different inclinations in order to obtain coverage of worldwide Mega-Cities as well as to provide synergy with multiple existing satellites including VIIRS, MODIS, TEMPO, PACE, etc. The Climate-n satellites in inclined orbit will cross multiple sun-synchronous satellites, multiple times at the same day, allowing for important cross calibration exercises between the different satellites and payloads.
The Climate-n constellation also contains a ground-based component that includes a network of in situ measurements specially designed to work in synergy with the satellite retrievals of aerosol and gases. On the aerosol side, a series of polarized polar nephelometers (the IMAP instrument), measuring aerodynamically selected particles will provide similar measurements as the satellite but, at the nose level, where the PM 2.5 particulates really affect human health. The IMAP instrument uses the same algorithm (GRASP) as the satellites and provides the connection between optically retrieved parameters (similar to the satellite retrievals) and the aerodynamic particles sizes that penetrate deep into the human lung. Similar ground based measurements will be performed with a network of greenhouse gas instruments to work in synergy with the satellite retrievals.
The combination of the total column measurements provided by the satellite and the in-situ measurements by the IMAP network, and by the greenhouse gas sensors will improve our understanding of how satellites can assess the effects of air pollution aerosols on human health, and greenhouse gas emissions on the Earth's climate.
