Technological Needs for European Space Agency's Microwave Limb Sounders
Abstract
Since they present good capabilities for the detection of important trace species for atmospheric chemistry, the European Space Agency (ESA) has, in recent years, investigated a number of limb sounding instrument principles. These feasibility studies have provided baseline concepts which have helped to grasp the main features of these instruments and to identify their critical aspects. A number of scientific and technical activities have then followed, dedicated to specific topics, from retrieval simulations to developments of antennas, calibration loads, mixers, support to campaigns, etc. To make observations in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (UTLS), where they are the most urgently needed, the ESA limb sounder concept is called MASTER (Millimetre-wave Acquisitions for Stratosphere/Troposphere Exchange Research), which counts five broad detection bands, hence five receivers, from 200 to 500 GHz. The main channels of MASTER for UTLS sounding, which detect in priority ozone, water vapour and carbon monoxide, are centered near 300, 325 and 345 GHz.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 29, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADP011750
Entities
People
- C. C. Lin
- D. Lamarre
- J. Langen
- L. Marchand
- P. De Maagt
Organizations
- European Space Research and Technology Centre