Development of an airborne molecular direct detection Doppler lidar for tropospheric wind profiling

Bruce Gentry; Matthew McGill; Geary Schwemmer; Michael Hardesty; Alan Brewer; Thomas Wilkerson; Robert Atlas; Marcos Sirota; Scott Lindemann; Floyd Hovis

doi:10.1117/12.739379

Conference proceeding

Development of an airborne molecular direct detection Doppler lidar for tropospheric wind profiling

Bruce Gentry, Matthew McGill, Geary Schwemmer, Michael Hardesty, Alan Brewer, Thomas Wilkerson, Robert Atlas, Marcos Sirota, Scott Lindemann and Floyd Hovis

Proceedings of SPIE, Vol.6681(1), pp.66810B-66810B-6

Lidar Remote Sensing for Environmental Monitoring VIII

09/13/2007

DOI: 10.1117/12.739379

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Abstract

Global measurement of tropospheric winds is a key measurement for understanding atmospheric dynamics and improving numerical weather prediction. Global wind profiles remain a high priority for the operational weather community and also for a variety of research applications including studies of the global hydrologic cycle and transport studies of aerosols and trace species. In addition to space based winds, high altitude airborne Doppler lidar systems flown on research aircraft, UAV's or other advanced sub-orbital platforms would be of great scientific benefit for studying mesoscale dynamics and storm systems such as hurricanes. The Tropospheric Wind Lidar Technology Experiment (TWiLiTE) is a three year program to advance the technology readiness level of the key technologies and subsystems of a molecular direct detection wind lidar system by validating them, at the system level, in an integrated airborne lidar system. The TWiLiTE Doppler lidar system is designed for autonomous operation on the WB57, a high altitude aircraft operated by NASA Johnson. The WB57 is capable of flying well above the mid-latitude tropopause so the downward looking lidar will measure complete profiles of the horizontal wind field through the lower stratosphere and the entire troposphere. The completed system will have the capability to profile winds in clear air from the aircraft altitude of 18 km to the surface with 250 m vertical resolution and < 3 m/s velocity accuracy. Progress in technology development and status of the instrument design will be presented.

Details

Title: Subtitle: Development of an airborne molecular direct detection Doppler lidar for tropospheric wind profiling
Creators: Bruce Gentry - Goddard Space Flight Center
Matthew McGill - Goddard Space Flight Center
Geary Schwemmer - Science Engineering Services, Inc.
Michael Hardesty - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Alan Brewer - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Thomas Wilkerson - Utah State University
Robert Atlas - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Marcos Sirota - Sigma Space (United States)
Scott Lindemann - The Aerospace Corporation
Floyd Hovis - Fibertek (United States)
Resource Type: Conference proceeding
Publication Details: Proceedings of SPIE, Vol.6681(1), pp.66810B-66810B-6
Conference: Lidar Remote Sensing for Environmental Monitoring VIII
DOI: 10.1117/12.739379
ISSN: 0277-786X
Language: English
Date published: 09/13/2007
Academic Unit: Physics and Astronomy; Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
Record Identifier: 9984276450702771

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