Assessment of future operational atmospheric chemistry missions

Paper number

IAC-06-B1.2.09

Author

Mr. Francois Gonzalez, Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES), France

Coauthor

Mr. Benoit Beghin, Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES), France

Coauthor

Mr. Philippe-Jean Hebert, Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES), France

Coauthor

Mrs. Carole Deniel, Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES), France

Coauthor

Dr. Thierry Phulpin, Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES), France

Year

2006

Abstract

In 2005 CNES started several internal assessment studies relative to GMES sentinels 2,3,4 and 5 within the frame of  PASO.
The present paper deals with atmospheric chemistry missions, and more specifically on the critical question of  tropospheric air quality.
The objectives of the study were to assess the definition of future operational observational systems providing service continuity and reliability with respect to scientific requirements, technical feasibility and economical realism. The analysis has been performed at a phase 0 level taking into account most of the components of the overall system (space segment with dedicated instruments, ground segment).
Two families of scenarios have been studied :
1.	one geostationnary satellite over Europe
2.	a constellation of several satellites in a low Earth orbit
For each kind of scenario, many trade-off’s have been performed especially on the IR instrument (FT interferometer, spectrometer, …) together with different cases for the orbit altitude. These parameters were the driving factors to fulfill the scientific requirements such as temporal and spatial resolution for sufficient coverage.
These requirements have been collected by a group of scientists already involved in space programs (Envisat, Aura, IASI) and potential users from agencies and institutes. Many of these members were already involved in ESA working groups for Capacity and Promote studies, ensuring the coherence of  high level inputs (species, product types, degrees of freedom, resolution, …). 
In addition, other technical drivers were considered such as radiations, TM capability, on-board data processing, platform pointing and stability, bus accommodation constraints, and launcher. 
Finally, this gave a great number of combinations for a possible mission scenario. The analysis has shown that at the end 2 of  them were realistic (one GEO and one LEO), but presenting some slight differences in the achievable performances.
Part of the results of this study has been used to prepare technical proposals in support to scientists responding to the ESA call for ideas for the Next Earth Explorer Core Missions.

Abstract document

IAC-06-B1.2.09.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-06-B1.2.09.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.