The Infrared Sounder: a novel instrument for addressing the rapidly developing consequences of climate change
- Paper number
GLOC-2023,T,IP,x75056
- Author
Mr. Francesc Lucas Carbó, OHB System AG, Germany
- Coauthor
Mr. Rupert Feckl, OHB System AG, Germany
- Coauthor
Mr. Pablo Jorba Coloma, OHB System AG, Germany
- Coauthor
Mr. Torsten Levin, OHB System AG, Germany
- Coauthor
Dr. Luis Riegger, OHB System AG, Germany
- Coauthor
Mr. Rüdiger Schönfeld, OHB System AG, Germany
- Coauthor
Dr. Tomasz Wocjan, OHB System AG, Germany
- Coauthor
Mr. Sylvain Abdon, Thales Alenia Space, France
- Coauthor
Mr. Didier Miras, Thales Alenia Space, France
- Coauthor
Dr. Donny M. A. AMINOU, ESA, The Netherlands
- Coauthor
Mr. Paul Blythe, ESA, The Netherlands
- Coauthor
Mr. James Champion, European Space Agency (ESA), The Netherlands
- Coauthor
Mr. Manfred Falkner, ESA, The Netherlands
- Coauthor
Mr. Tobias Guggenmoser, ESA, The Netherlands
- Coauthor
Mr. Daniel Lamarre, ESA, The Netherlands
- Coauthor
Mr. Lionel de la Taille, EUMETSAT, Germany
- Coauthor
Mr. Stefano Gigli, EUMETSAT, Germany
- Coauthor
Mr. Gary Fowler, EUMETSAT, Germany
- Year
2023
- Abstract
The Infrared Sounder (IRS) instrument is the primary payload of the Meteosat Third Generation Sounder satellite (MTG-S). The main objective of the MTG sounding mission is to enhance Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) capabilities at regional and global scales, through the provision of Atmospheric Motion Vectors (AMV) with higher vertical resolution and frequent information on temperature and water vapour profiles. The IRS will be the first European hyperspectral sounding instrument in geostationary orbit. Thanks to the orbit and the instrument’s scanning mirror, the repeat cycle is highly tuneable and can be modified in-flight under the demand of the end-users. The current baseline is to scan Europe every 30 minutes and a full Earth’s disk every 1.5 hours. The design of the instrument is based on an imaging Fourier Transform Spectrometer (FTS) and will deliver hyperspectral sounding information in two infrared bands: LWIR (700 - 1,210 1/cm) and MWIR (1,600 - 2,175 1/cm). Each detector records 160 x 160 interferograms every 10 seconds covering 640 km x 640 km per stare. Once the data is received on-ground, the ground processing algorithms convert the interferograms into radiometrically/spectrally corrected spectra with a spectral channel interval of 0.625 1/cm. The measurements will be continuous and the calibration views will be part of the nominal repeat cycle, as the mission shall provide the Level 1 product without interruption. Applications benefiting from the IRS science data will be manifold. By delivering frequent four-dimensional information on humidity, temperature, and wind profiles, the IRS will significantly enhance regional and global NWP, thus improving early detection of rapidly developing atmospheric instability like severe convective storms - a very well-known consequence of climate change. The spectral range of the IRS will also allow monitoring the concentration of atmospheric trace gases like ozone and carbon monoxide, leading to enhanced information for air pollution forecasting. Moreover, through information on the composition and density of volcanic ash clouds, ash fallout prediction models will be refined. The optical performance test in atmospheric conditions of the first IRS flight model was successfully carried out in 2022 and the final test in vacuum will be completed in Q2 2023. The first MTG-S satellite launch is planned in 2024. This paper provides a detailed overview of the objectives, capabilities, and applications of the MTG sounding mission; as well as an up-to-date review of the development status, data products and performance of the IRS.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
(absent)