CEM MiddleEast - Abstract

Abstract Information :

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. Measurements for particulates and CO2 will be enhanced and supported by a synergistic use of ground instrument measurements, hyper local dispersion models and transport models at global regional and local scales. 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. We currently have data from 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 next mission in the series (Climate-1) will be a 12U satellite with two payloads: a copy of the GAPMAP-0 multiangle polarimeter, and the G3 (GRASP Greenhous GAS) instrument for the greenhouse gases measurements. G3 will have a spatial resolution of ~50M and a swath width of ~60Km. The goal of the Climate-n constellation is to have multiple satellites (10-20 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 satellite will have pointing capabilities to allow us to select targets for observation. The combined capabilities of the polarimeter and spectrometer and the pointing capability allows us to take advantage of ocean glint for atmospheric correction which will result methane and CO2 over ocean at scales that can identify ocean drilling platform emissions. 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 and mini IMAP instruments), 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 instruments use 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 This talk will show results from the GAPMAP-0 payload as well as examples of results from the ground-based with satellite results, and will also discuss the expected performance of the Climate-n constellation.