HATS Airborne Projects

The Halocarbons and other Atmospheric Trace Species (HATS) group of NOAA/GMD has designed and built three instruments since 1991 for implementation on aircraft and/or balloon platforms. Each instrument is a multi-channel gas chromatograph (GC) that measures halogenated trace gases (e.g., chlorofluorocarbons and halons) and other important atmospheric tracers.
The data obtained from these instruments permit studies of chemistry and transport in the upper atmosphere.

Airborne Chromatograph for Atmospheric Trace Species (ACATS)
A four-channel gas chromatograph designed to make autonomous, in situ measurements of halocarbons and other trace gases on board the high-altitude NASA ER-2 aircraft.  

Lightweight Airborne Chromatograph Experiment (LACE)
A three-channel gas chromatograph designed to make autonomous, in situ measurements of halocarbons and other trace gases on board high-altitude balloons and the NASA WB-57 aircraft.