scholarly journals Swarm Langmuir Probes' data quality and future improvements

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Filomena Catapano ◽  
Stephan Buchert ◽  
Enkelejda Qamili ◽  
Thomas Nilsson ◽  
Jerome Bouffard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Data Quality ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
European Space Agency ◽  
Langmuir Probes ◽  
Plasma Parameters ◽  
Plasma Dynamics ◽  
High Data ◽  
Space Agency ◽  
Swarm Satellites ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. Swarm is ESA's (European Space Agency) first Earth observation constellation mission, which was launched in 2013 to study the geomagnetic field and its temporal evolution. Two Langmuir Probes (LPs) on board of each of the three Swarm satellites provide very accurate measurements of plasma parameters, which contribute to the the study of the ionospheric plasma dynamics. To maintain a high data quality for scientific and operational applications, the Swarm products are continuously monitored and validated via science-oriented diagnostics. This paper presents an overview of the data quality of the Swarm Langmuir Probes' measurements. The data quality is assessed by analysing short and long data segments, where the latter are selected sufficiently long to consider the impact of the solar activity. Langmuir Probes data have been validated through comparison with numerical models, other satellite missions, and ground observations. Based on the outcomes from quality control and validation activities conduced by ESA, as well as scientific analysis and feedback provided by the user community, the Swarm products are regularly upgraded. In this paper we discuss the data quality improvements introduced with the latest baseline, and how the data quality is influenced by the solar cycle. The main anomaly affecting the LP measurements is described, as well as possible improvements to be implemented in future baselines.

scholarly journals Six years of total ozone column measurements from SCIAMACHY nadir observations

2009 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Lerot ◽  
M. Van Roozendael ◽  
J. van Geffen ◽  
J. van Gent ◽  
C. Fayt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sections ◽  
Total Ozone ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
European Space Agency ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Ozone Data ◽  
Space Agency ◽  
German Aerospace ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. Total O3 columns have been retrieved from six years of SCIAMACHY nadir UV radiance measurements using SDOAS, an adaptation of the GDOAS algorithm previously developed at BIRA-IASB for the GOME instrument. GDOAS and SDOAS have been implemented by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in the version 4 of the GOME Data Processor (GDP) and in version 3 of the SCIAMACHY Ground Processor (SGP), respectively. The processors are being run at the DLR processing centre on behalf of the European Space Agency (ESA). We first focus on the description of the SDOAS algorithm with particular attention to the impact of uncertainties on the reference O3 absorption cross-sections. Second, the resulting SCIAMACHY total ozone data set is globally evaluated through large-scale comparisons with results from GOME and OMI as well as with ground-based correlative measurements. The various total ozone data sets are found to agree within 2% on average. However, a negative trend of 0.2–0.4%/year has been identified in the SCIAMACHY O3 columns; this probably originates from instrumental degradation effects that have not yet been fully characterized.

European Space Agency (ESA) Landsat MSS/TM/ETM+ Archive Bulk-Processing: processor improvements and data quality

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Gascon ◽  
R. Biasutti ◽  
R. Ferrara ◽  
P. Fischer ◽  
L. Galli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Data Quality ◽  
European Space Agency ◽  
Space Agency ◽  
Bulk Processing

Spaceborne monitoring of CO2 emissions from large cities and the impact of aerosols

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sander Houweling ◽  
Jochen Landgraf ◽  
Friedemann Reum ◽  
Hein van Heck ◽  
Wei Tao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Co2 Emissions ◽  
European Space Agency ◽  
Monitoring Network ◽  
Atmospheric Measurements ◽  
Large Cities ◽  
Anthropogenic Co2 ◽  
Space Agency ◽  
Spatial Coverage ◽  
Spaceborne Monitoring ◽  
The Impact

<p>International agreements to reduce CO2 emissions call for an independent mechanism for evaluating the compliance with emission reduction targets. Atmospheric measurements can provide important information in support of this goal. However, to do this globally requires a drastic expansion of the existing monitoring network, using a combination of surface measurements and satellites. CO2 sensing satellites can deliver the required spatial coverage, filling in the gaps that are difficult to cover on ground. However, to reach the accuracy that is required for monitoring CO2 from space is a challenge, and even more so for anthropogenic CO2.</p><p>The European space agency is preparing for the launch of a constellation of satellites for monitoring anthropogenic CO2 within the Copernicus program, starting in 2025. Scientific support studies have been carried out to define this mission in terms of payload and observational requirements. We report on the AeroCarb study, which investigated the impact retrieval errors due to aerosols in CO2 plumes downwind of large cities, and the potential benefit of an onboard aerosol sensor to help mitigate such errors. In this study, CO2 and aerosol plumes have been simulated at high-resolution for the cities of Berlin and Beijing. The impact of aerosol scattering on spaceborne CO2 measurements has been assessed using a combined CO2-aerosol retrieval scheme, with and without the use of an onboard multi-angular spectropolarimeter (MAP) for measuring aerosols. The results have been used to quantify the accuracy at which the CO2 emissions of Berlin and Beijing can be quantified using inverse modelling and the impact of aerosols depending on the chosen satellite payload. </p><p>In this presentation we summarize the outcome of this study, and discuss the implications for the space borne monitoring of anthropogenic CO2 emissions from large cities.</p>

The science return of the ESA Hera mission to the binary asteroid Didymos

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Michel ◽  
Michael Kueppers ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Solar System ◽  
European Space Agency ◽  
Direct Determination ◽  
Hypervelocity Impact ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Impact Speed ◽  
Asteroid Impact ◽  
Space Agency ◽  
The Impact

<p>The Hera mission has been approved for development and launch in the new ESA Space Safety Programme by the ESA Council at Ministerial Level, Space19+, in November 2019. Hera will both offer a high science return and contribute to the first deflection test of an asteroid, in the framework of the international NASA- and ESA-supported Asteroid Impact and Deflection Assessment (AIDA) collaboration.</p> <p>The impact of the NASA DART (Doube Asteroid Redirection Test) spacecraft on the natural satellite of Didymos in October 2022 will change its orbital period around Didymos. As Didymos is an eclipsing binary, and close to the Earth on this date, the change can be detected by Earth-based observers. ESA’s Hera spacecraft will rendezvous Didymos four years after the impact. Hera’s instruments will perform the measurements necessary to understand the effect of the DART impact on Didymos’ secondary, in particular its mass, its internal structure, the direct determination of the momentum transfer and the detailed characterization of the crater left by DART. This new knowledge will also provide unique information on many current issues in asteroid science.</p> <p>From small asteroid internal and surface structures, through rubble-pile evolution, impact cratering physics, to the long-term effects of space weathering in the inner Solar System, Hera will have a major impact on many fields. For instance, collisions play a fundamental role in our Solar System history, from planet formation by collisional accretion to cratering of solid surfaces and asteroid family formation by collisional disruption. The fully documented hypervelocity impact experiment provided by DART and Hera will feed collisional models with information obtained at actual asteroid scale and for an impact speed (~6 km/s) that is close to the average impact speed between asteroids in the main belt. Moreover, Hera will perform the first rendezvous with an asteroid binary, characterize the smallest object ever visited (165 m in diameter) and provide the first direct measurement of an asteroid interior. Additionally, studies using Hera data will in turn affect our understanding of the asteroid population as a whole. The scientific legacy of the Hera mission will extend far beyond the core aims of planetary defense.</p> <p>Acknowledgment: The authors acknowledge funding support from ESA and from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 870377 (project NEO-MAPP), from the European Space Agency and from the French space agency CNES.</p>

scholarly journals On the accuracy of integrated water vapor observations and the potential for mitigating electromagnetic path delay error in InSAR

2012 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 1015-1030 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Cimini ◽  
N. Pierdicca ◽  
E. Pichelli ◽  
R. Ferretti ◽  
V. Mattioli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Vapor ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
European Space Agency ◽  
Path Delay ◽  
Gps Receivers ◽  
Transmission Errors ◽  
Vapor Sensing ◽  
Space Agency ◽  
Microwave Radiometers

Abstract. A field campaign was carried out in the framework of the Mitigation of Electromagnetic Transmission errors induced by Atmospheric Water Vapour Effects (METAWAVE) project sponsored by the European Space Agency (ESA) to investigate the accuracy of currently available sources of atmospheric columnar integrated water vapor measurements. The METAWAVE campaign took place in Rome, Italy, for the 2-week period from 19 September to 4 October 2008. The collected dataset includes observations from ground-based microwave radiometers and Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers, from meteorological numerical model analysis and predictions, from balloon-borne in-situ radiosoundings, as well as from spaceborne infrared radiometers. These different sources of integrated water vapor (IWV) observations have been analyzed and compared to quantify the accuracy and investigate the potential for mitigating IWV-related electromagnetic path delay errors in Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) imaging. The results, which include a triple collocation analysis accounting for errors inherently present in every IWV measurements, are valid not only to InSAR but also to any other application involving water vapor sensing. The present analysis concludes that the requirements for mitigating the effects of turbulent water vapor component into InSAR are significantly higher than the accuracy of the instruments analyzed here. Nonetheless, information on the IWV vertical stratification from satellite observations, numerical models, and GPS receivers may provide valuable aid to suppress the long spatial wavelength (>20 km) component of the atmospheric delay, and thus significantly improve the performances of InSAR phase unwrapping techniques.

Columnar-to-Equiaxed Transition in SOLidification Processing (CETSOL): A Project of the European Space Agency (ESA) - Microgravity Applications Promotion (MAP) Programme

2006 ◽  
Vol 508 ◽  
pp. 393-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles-André Gandin ◽  
Bernard Billia ◽  
Gerhard Zimmermann ◽  
David J. Browne ◽  
M.D. Dupouy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Models ◽  
European Space Agency ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Physical Modelling ◽  
Grain Structure ◽  
Integrated Modelling ◽  
Solidification Processing ◽  
Benchmark Data ◽  
Space Agency ◽  
Columnar To Equiaxed Transition

The main objective of the research project of the European Space Agency (ESA) - Microgravity Application Promotion (MAP) programme entitled Columnar-to-Equiaxed Transition in SOLidification Processing (CETSOL) is the investigation of the formation of the transition from columnar to equiaxed macrostructure that takes place in casting. Indeed, grain structures observed in most casting processes of metallic alloys are the result of a competition between the growth of several arrays of dendrites that develop under constrained and unconstrained conditions, leading to the CET. A dramatic effect of buoyancy-driven flow on the transport of equiaxed crystals on earth is acknowledged. This leads to difficulties in conducting precise investigations of the origin of the formation of the equiaxed crystals and their interaction with the development of the columnar grain structure. Consequently, critical benchmark data to test fundamental theories of grain structure formation are required, that would benefit from microgravity investigations. Accordingly, the ESA-MAP CETSOL project has gathered together European groups with complementary skills to carry out experiments and to model the processes, in particular with a view to utilization of the reduced-gravity environment that will be afforded by the International Space Station (ISS) to get benchmark data. The ultimate objective of the research program is to significantly contribute to the improvement of integrated modelling of grain structure in industrially important castings. To reach this goal, the approach is devised to deepen the quantitative understanding of the basic physical principles that, from the microscopic to the macroscopic scales, govern microstructure formation in solidification processing under diffusive conditions and with fluid flow in the melt. Pertinent questions are attacked by well-defined model experiments on technical alloys and/or on model transparent systems, physical modelling at microstructure and mesoscopic scales (e.g. large columnar front or equiaxed crystals) and numerical simulation at all scales, up to the macroscopic scales of casting with integrated numerical models.

scholarly journals On the Impact Monitoring of Near-Earth Objects: Mathematical Tools, Algorithms, and Challenges for the Future

Universe ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 103
Author(s):  
Giacomo Tommei
Keyword(s):  
European Space Agency ◽  
Historical Evolution ◽  
Planetary Protection ◽  
Impact Monitoring ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Space Agency ◽  
The Future ◽  
Operational Systems ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Near Earth Objects

The Impact Monitoring (IM) of Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) is a young field of research, considering that 22 years ago precise algorithms to compute an impact probability with the Earth did not exist. On the other hand, the year 2020 just passed saw the increase of IM operational systems: in addition to the two historical systems, CLOMON2 (University of Pisa/SpaceDyS) and Sentry (JPL/NASA), the European Space Agency (ESA) started its own system AstOD. Moreover, in the last five years three systems for the detection of imminent impactors (small asteroidal objects detected a few days before the possible impact with the Earth) have been developed: SCOUT (at JPL/NASA), NEORANGER (at University of Helsinki) and NEOScan (at University of Pisa/SpaceDyS). The IM science, in addition to being useful for the planetary protection, is a very fascinating field of research because it involves astronomy, physics, mathematics and computer science. In this paper I am going to review the mathematical tools and algorithms of the IM science, highlighting the historical evolution and the challenges to be faced in the future.

Swarm Mission: instruments performance, data availability, quality and future evolutions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enkelejda Qamili ◽  
Filomena Catapano ◽  
Lars Tøffner-Clausen ◽  
Stephan Buchert ◽  
Christian Siemes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
European Space Agency ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Magnetic Disturbance ◽  
Langmuir Probes ◽  
Incoherent Scatter ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Space Agency ◽  
Incoherent Scatter Radars ◽  
Scalar Magnetometer ◽  
Swarm Mission

<p>The European Space Agency (ESA) Swarm mission, launched on November 2013, continue to provide very accurate measurements of the strength, direction and variation of the Earth’s magnetic field. These data together with precise navigation, accelerometer, electric field, plasma density and temperature measurements, are crucial for a better understanding of the Earth’s interior and its environment. This paper will provide a status update of the Swarm Instrument performance after seven years of operations. Moreover, we will provide full details on the new Swarm Level 1b product baseline of Magnet and Plasma data which will be generated and distributed soon to the whole Swarm Community.  Please note that the main evolutions to be introduced in the Swarm L1B Algorithm are: i) computation of the Sun induced magnetic disturbance (dB_Sun) on the Absolute Scalar Magnetometer (ASM) and Vector Field Magnetometer (VFM) data; ii) computation of systematic offset between Langmuir Probes (LP) measurements ad ground observations derived from Incoherent Scatter Radars (IRS) located at middle, low, and equatorial latitudes. These and further improvements are planned to be included in the upcoming versions of the Swarm Level 1b products, aiming at achieving the best data quality for scientific applications.</p>

Quality Status of the CryoSat Data Products

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erica Webb ◽  
Ben Wright ◽  
Marco Meloni ◽  
Jerome Bouffard ◽  
Tommaso Parrinello ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sea Ice ◽  
Data Quality ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
European Space Agency ◽  
Performance Standards ◽  
Radar Altimeter ◽  
Mountain Glaciers ◽  
Space Agency ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Quality Status

<p>Launched in 2010, the European Space Agency’s (ESA) polar-orbiting CryoSat satellite was specifically designed to measure changes in the thickness of polar sea ice and the elevation of the ice sheets and mountain glaciers. Beyond the primary mission objectives, CryoSat is also valuable source of data for the oceanographic community and CryoSat’s sophisticated SAR Interferometric Radar Altimeter (SIRAL) can measure high-resolution geophysical parameters from the open ocean to the coast.</p><p>CryoSat data is processed operationally using two independent processing chains: Ice and Ocean. To ensure that the CryoSat products meet the highest data quality and performance standards, the CryoSat Instrument Processing Facilities (IPFs) are periodically updated. Processing algorithms are improved based on feedback and recommendations from Quality Control (QC) activities, Calibration and Validation campaigns, the CryoSat Expert Support Laboratory (ESL), and the Scientific Community. </p><p>Since May 2019, the CryoSat ice products are generated with Baseline-D, which represented a major processor upgrade and implemented several improvements, including the optimisation of freeboard computation in SARIn mode, improvements to sea ice and land ice retracking and the migration from Earth Explorer Format (EEF) to Network Common Data Form (NetCDF). A reprocessing campaign is currently underway to reprocess the full mission dataset (July 2010 – May 2019) to Baseline-D.</p><p>The CryoSat ocean products are also generated in NetCDF, following a processor upgrade in November 2017 (Baseline-C). Improvements implemented in this new Baseline include the generation of ocean products for all data acquisition modes, therefore providing complete data coverage for ocean users. This upgrade also implemented innovative algorithms, refined existing ones and added new parameters and corrections to the products. Following the completion of a successful reprocessing campaign, Baseline-C ocean products are now available for the full mission dataset (July 2010 – present).</p><p>Since launch, the CryoSat ice and ocean products have been routinely monitored as part of QC activities by the ESA/ESRIN Sensor Performance, Products and Algorithms (SPPA) office with the support of the Quality Assurance for Earth Observation (QA4EO) service (formerly IDEAS+) led by Telespazio VEGA UK. The latest processor updates have brought significant improvements to the quality of CryoSat ice and ocean products, which in turn are expected to have a positive impact on the scientific exploitation of CryoSat measurements over all surface types.</p><p>This poster provides an overview of the CryoSat data quality status and the QC activities performed by the QA4EO consortium, including both operational and reprocessing QC. Also presented are the main evolutions and improvements that have implemented to the processors, and anticipated evolutions for the future.</p>

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