Nightsky Imaging Tomography Experiment to Measure Ozone With Starlight

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. Caplan, D. Degenstein, M. Huber, A. Koustov, E. J. (Ted) 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. Giesbrecht, M. Stocki, H. Wood

Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Saskatchewan

57 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A9

J. Bugg, A. Dolovich, J. 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. 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 spectrum	6

1.4	Imaging spectroscopy of stars	6

1.5	Vertical and tomographic profile inversion of ozone distribution	6

2.	Relevance of ODIN aeronomy and other projects	7

3.	Theoretical studies, data analysis and dissemination of the scientific results	7

4	Composition of the science team and personnel responsibilities	7

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 gratings	8

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 programs	9

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 acquisition	10

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