| Popis: |
In the frame of the EarthCARE programme, Astrium France is currently developing one of the mission core instruments: the backscatter lidar ATLID. The EarthCARE mission is the third Earth Explorer Core Missions of the ESA Living Planet Programme, with a launch date planned in 2013. It addresses the interaction and impact of clouds and aerosols on the Earth’s radiative budget. ATLID (ATmospheric LIDar), one of the four instruments of EarthCARE, shall determine vertical profiles of clouds and aerosols physical parameters (altitude, optical depth, backscatter ratio and depolarisation ratio) in synergy with other instruments. This paper presents the design and performance of the ATLID instrument, and relates the main development issues. The technical challenges and the main innovations are highlighted. |
