The CO2M mission, part of the Copernicus Expansion programme, will measure anthropogenic CO2. Due to the accuracy requirements of this measurement, it is important to measure and characterise the aerosol population within the CO2 instrument footprint. For this purpose, ESA have requested that a Multi Angle Polarimeter (MAP) be part of the instrument suite.As part of the overall mission consortium led by OHB (DE), Thales Alenia Space (UK) have been selected to provide this instrument. The instrument itself is a multi angle (>40 angles) multi spectral (7 bands, 400-900nm) polarimeter, based on well known approaches (POLDER, 3MI). However, MAP achieves the demanding level of accuracy in a compact volume by using a focal plane assembly that performs both polarization and spectral separation. Use of simple telescopes also allows for wide field-of-view (300km swath) while minimising issues associated with straylight.This paper outlines the main MAP instrument requirements, and details the instrument operating concept and design. Results from the early technology predevelopment activity will be presented, as well as a brief look at other missions for which MAP is suited.
The Broadband Radiometer (BBR) is one of a suite of instruments to be flown on the Earth Clouds, Aerosol and Radiation Explorer (EarthCARE) space mission. Its role is to make broadband measurements of Earth radiance in terms of reflected solar radiation and emitted thermal infrared radiation for use with the other EarthCARE instruments for the study of Earth atmosphere processes. The Broadband Radiometer has its design based on the principles and heritage of previous instruments for studying the earth radiation budget (ERB). The radiometer has common features with those instruments: two measurement bands—shortwave (solar energy of 0.25–4 µm) and total wave (0.25 to >50 µm)—with a longwave band (thermal emission of 4 to >50 µm) being obtained by subtraction of the two measured bands. Multiple simultaneous views of Earth at three different view angles are used to account for angular variations in radiance. The radiometer requires an accuracy of 1% in each band, similar to those of the previous instruments, and detailed calibration measurements on ground and in orbit. This paper describes the instrument calibration algorithms and the corresponding requirements on the ground calibration of the flight instrument prior to launch. It includes a description of the main methods to be used and the error sources to be controlled, based on the design heritage and analysis results of the previous ERB instruments.
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