Thursday, 17 January 2002: 10:45 AM
In-situ science from global networks of stratospheric satellites
This paper describes potential atmospheric science missions from global and regional networks of stratospheric superpressure balloons, called StratoSat(TM) platforms. We present selected in-situ science mission scenarios for global and regional constellations of StratoSat(TM) platforms: ozone loss monitoring and related stratospheric chemistry, cloud particle measurements, vertical profiling of atmospheric constituents in the troposphere and stratosphere, and global circulation monitoring through measurements of tracers of stratospheric transport. Other potential applications of the StratoSat(TM) platform network may include hurricane tracking, global radiation budget monitoring, and tropospheric winds measurements. We discuss possible payloads and a proof-of-concept mission. These example concepts have been developed based on our current understanding of Earth science priorities and the extrapolations of technological developments in measurement capabilities.
Supplementary URL: http://www.gaerospace.com/publicPages/projectPages/StratCon/index.html