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