Laser Atmospheric Transmitter and Receiver Network (LAnTeRN): A novel hosted-payload active measurement to enhance future space-based GHG emissions monitoring frameworks
Jeremy Todd Dobler, Spectral Sensor Solutions LLC, jeremy.dobler@s-3llc.com (Presenter)
James Nagel, L3Harris Technologies, james.nagel@l3harris.com
Nathan Blume, Spectral Sensor Solutions LLC, nathan.blume@s-3llc.com
Doug McGregor, Spectral Sensor Solutions LLC, doug.mcgregor@s-3llc.com
Today’s state-of-the-art sensing of GHG from space relies on passive optical methods to determine the dry-air column-averaged mole fraction of CO2 (XCO2). These methods often rely on a measurement of a well-mixed gas such as O2 in order to determine the total density of the atmosphere along the optical path of the solar reflected light, and are subject to interference from clouds and aerosols, among other known sources of error. Ground-based spectrometer calibration standards are used to quantify the biases in current passive XCO2 retrievals, primarily using the total column carbon observing network (TCCON). While, TCCON has successfully demonstrated a total error of ~0.2% in XCO2 for solar zenith angles <83˚ with traceability to WMO standards, it is still inherently limited to a sampling window defined by direct solar viewing. The Laser Atmospheric Transmitter and Receiver Network (LAnTeRN) is a novel concept for providing a near-continuous active measurement between a geostationary satellite and the surface. The concept developed by Exelis Inc. (now L3Harris Technologies), is based on an intensity modulated continuous wave laser absorption spectroscopy method, with extensive validation heritage. Active measurements from LAnTeRN offer long-term near-continuous measurements along fixed paths and allow for extensive characterization and averaging without biases from clouds and aerosols. Furthermore, selectable receiver locations enable cross-calibration of XCO2 from various passive systems and can be key to addressing specific targets of interest such as urban areas. Additionally, the relatively low-cost LAnTeRN approach lends itself to WMO traceability through extensive airborne characterization and can provide diurnal information not currently being provided by existing approaches. In this presentation, we will present an overview of LAnTeRN, including its active measurement concept, results from recent airborne evaluation of the measurement technique, and a baseline instrument design with initial performance analysis.
Poster: Poster_Dobler__160_25.pdf
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 2.2c Results expected from future missions
Session Date: Tuesday (6/15) 9:45 AM