Global Ozone in the Atmosphere
Project proposal for the Small Payloads Program
of the Canadian Space Agency
Principal Investigator:
D. P. Steele
Department of Physics and Engineering Physics
University of Saskatchewan
116 Science Place
Saskatoon SK S7N 5E2
Ph: (306) 966-6447
Fax: (306) 966-6400
David.Steele@usask.ca
H. C. Caplan, D. Degenstein, E. Furkal, M. Huber, A. Koustov, E. J. Llewellyn, E.
McDougall, J. Offiong, A. Smolyakov, M. White
Department of Physics and Engineering Physics, University of Saskatchewan
116 Science Place, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E2
R. Bolton, J. E. Giesbrecht, M. Stocki, H. C. Wood
Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Saskatchewan
57 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A9
J. Bugg, A. Dolovich, J. A. Steele
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Saskatchewan
57 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A9
C. Soteros, R. Srinivasan
Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Saskatchewan
106 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E6
J. Chan, D. P. Harris, M. Painter
College of Commerce, University of Saskatchewan
25 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A7
E. Ivanov, J. Johnston, D. Sniezek
Sci-Tec Instruments Limited
1526 Fletcher Road, Saskatoon, SK S7M 5M1 PART ONE
Table of Contents
Part I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Summary (Abstract) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
1. Description of the research program . . . . . . . . . .5
1.1 General introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
1.2 Global ozone distributions in the polar winter . .6
1.3 Absorption and scattering of starlight in the visible spectrum6
1.4 Imaging spectroscopy of stars . . . . . . . . . .6
1.5 Vertical and tomographic profile inversion of ozone distribution6
2. Relevance of ODIN aeronomy and other projects . . . . .7
3. Theoretical studies, data analysis and dissemination of the scientific results7
4 Composition of the science team and personnel responsibilities7
Part II. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
1. Mission objectives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
1.1 Relevance to the SPP program of CSA. . . . . . . .8
1.2 Scientific objectives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
1.3 Technological developments and industry liaison. .8
1.4 Training of highly qualified personnel . . . . . .8
1.4.1 Student involvement. . . . . . . . . . .8
1.4.2 Format of the project team (class, interdisciplinary faculty,
research engineers) . . . . . . . . . . . .8
2 Payload description and development . . . . . . . . . .8
2.1 Imaging spectrograph. . . . . . . . . . . . .8
2.1.1 Transmission versus reflection gratings8
2.1.2 Image intensifiers and CCD arrays .8
2.1.3 Lens system and ray tracing . . . .9
2.2 Video sensor for attitude determination and wavelength
calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
2.3 Global positioning system . . . . . . . . . .9
2.4 Data acquisition and telemetry system. . . .9
3. Validation of the payload . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
3.1 Instrument simulator - modular set of computer programs9
3.1.1 star database. . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
3.1.2 refractive atmosphere model. . . . . . .9
3.1.3 ozone absorption model . . . . . . . . .9
3.1.4 optics ray tracing model, including components for 9
3.1.4.1 grating . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
3.1.4.2 lenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.1.4.3 intensifiers. . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.1.5 CCD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.2 Calibration, testing, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4 Platform, vehicle, launch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4.1 Vehicle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4.2 Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4.3 Parachute deployment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
5 Flight operational schedule, ground support, data acquisition10
6. Work breakdown and schedules. . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
6.1 Conceptual design phase (Phase A). . . . . . . . 11
6.2 Engineering design phase . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
7. Budgets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
8 Risk analysis and management plan . . . . . . . . . . 11
9 Anticipated benefits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
9.1 Canadian space science . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
9.2 Industry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
9.3 Public at large. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
10. Training of highly qualified personnel. . . . . . . . 13
Part I
Summary (Abstract)
1 Description of the research program
1.1 General introduction
Since its inception in the 1920s, major advances in the study of the ozone layer have
been made, progressing from ground based observations to balloon, aircraft, rocket and
satellite platforms. Observations from the ground are convenient and provide long term
data but cover only a small area of Earth and cannot provide a global picture of the ozone
distribution and its complex dynamical variations. Satellite instruments are capable of
remotely sensing total ozone levels and height distributions, providing comprehensive
current data over most of the Earth. Over the last three decades several satellite missions
have involved ozone measurements [1], and several other missions are now operating or
in preparation [2]. Significant progress has been achieved in understanding the major
processes involved in ozone dynamics. Despite this, no comprehensive model capable of
predicting long term trends of the ozone layer exists. Recent satellite missions are
directed toward obtaining comprehensive data which will support the development of
such models.
Over the last two decades, ozone chemistry has ceased to be a purely scientific problem,
as major ozone depletions have taken place, both in the polar regions and elsewhere.
The associated potential for human health problems and disruption of plant life,
including effects on the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries industries, have made this
subject one of intense public interest and concern. In light of the potentially disastrous
consequences of ozone depletion both for key sectors of the national economy and for
public health, it is imperative to provide an effective, low cost means of global ozone
monitoring which can provide data on ozone levels both to the Canadian public and to
the scientific community. It is worth noting that recent specialized ozone satellite
missions are not able to meet this requirement fully because of their extreme complexity
and high scientific specialization. Due to the extremely large costs associated with these
missions they are normally conducted with broad international cooperations.
We propose to develop an instrumental technique to measure the vertical and horizontal
distribution of ozone at altitudes of 10 - 60 km. The technique involves measuring ozone
concentrations using an imaging spectrograph suspended from a parachute deployed
from a small ("met") rocket at apogee near 70 km altitude. Data from a suite of such
instruments flown along a 300 km baseline are processed on the ground to yield vertical
and horizontal ozone profiles. This technique could eventually lead to a relatively
low-cost microsat-based system for global ozone monitoring, drawing upon the national
capabilities of Canadian universities and industry.
The primary goal of this project is to develop and validate an instrument to be deployed
beneath a parachute released from a rocket at ~70 km altitude. The ultimate goal is to
create within the Canadian Space Science community and Canadian industry a capability
for construction and deployment of a microsat-based system for global ozone monitoring.
Such a system would be an efficient low-cost alternative to the presently contemplated
systems (TOMS, GOMOS), and would provide important and timely information about
the ozone layer to both the Canadian public and the atmospheric science community.
1.2 Global ozone distributions in the polar winter
TBD - Matthias Huber
Other targets - TBD - Megan White
1.3 Absorption and scattering of starlight in the visible spectrum
Ozone column concentrations will be determined by measuring the absorption of
starlight by atmospheric ozone in the Chappuis bands between 450 and 700 nm. The
method is self-calibrating and is based on a comparison of stellar spectra measured above
and within the stratospheric ozone layer. The 3D position of the instrument will be
measured using GPS technology, and the sight lines to the stars will be determined by
identifying the stars using a simultaneous video record of the star field observed.
Scattered light - TBD - Megan White
1.4 Imaging spectroscopy of stars
Wavelength calibration - TBD - Jay Offiong
Aurora/airglow contamination - TBD - Matthias Huber
1.5 Vertical and tomographic profile inversion of ozone distribution
Required/achievable accuracy of measurements - TBD
2 Relevance of ODIN aeronomy and other projects
TBD
3 Theoretical studies, data analysis and dissemination of the scientific results
TBD
4 Composition of the science team and personnel responsibilities
TBD
Part II
1 Mission objectives
1.1 Relevance to the SPP program of CSA
TBD
1.2 Scientific objectives
TBD
1.3 Technological developments and industry liaison
TBD
1.4 Training of highly qualified personnel
1.4.1 Student involvement
TBD
1.4.2 Format of the project team (class, interdisciplinary faculty,
research engineers)
TBD
2 Payload description and development
2.1 Imaging spectrograph
2.1.1 Transmission versus reflection gratings
TBD - Eugene McDougall
2.1.2 Image intensifiers and CCD arrays
TBD - James Giesbrecht
2.1.3 Lens system and ray tracing
TBD
2.2 Video sensor for attitude determination and wavelength calibration
TBD - James Giesbrecht
2.3 Global positioning system
TBD
2.4 Data acquisition and telemetry system
TBD
3 Validation of the payload
3.1 Instrument simulator - modular set of computer programs
TBD
3.1.1 star database
TBD - John Steele
3.1.2 refractive atmosphere model
TBD - Megan White
3.1.3 ozone absorption model
TBD - Matthias Huber? Megan White?
3.1.4 optics ray tracing model, including components for
3.1.4.1 grating
TBD - Eugene McDougall?
3.1.4.2 lenses
TBD
3.1.4.3 intensifiers
TBD - James Giesbrecht
3.1.5 CCD
TBD - James Giesbrecht
3.2 Calibration, testing, etc.
TBD
4 Platform, vehicle, launch
TBD
4.1 Vehicle
TBD
4.2 Location
TBD
4.3 Parachute deployment
TBD - John Steele?
5 Flight operational schedule, ground support, data acquisition
TBD
6 Work breakdown and schedules
6.1 Conceptual design phase (Phase A)
TBD
6.2 Engineering design phase
TBD
7 Budgets
TBD
8 Risk analysis and management plan
TBD
9 Anticipated benefits
9.1 Canadian space science
TBD
9.2 Industry
TBD
9.3 Public at large
TBD