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PARASOL
Polarization & Anisotropy of Reflectances for Atmospheric Sciences coupled with Observations from a Lidar
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The project main steps
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Parasol is the second microsatellite in the Myriade series developed by CNES. It is carrying a wide-field imaging radiometer/polarimeter called POLDER (Polarization and Directionality of the Earth’s Reflectances), designed in partnership with the LOA atmospheric optics laboratory in Lille (CNRS-USTL). POLDER is designed to improve our knowledge of the radiative and microphysical properties of clouds and aerosols by measuring the directionality and polarization of light reflected by the Earth-atmosphere system.
Launched by an Ariane 5 G+ from Europe’s spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, Parasol has embarked on an expected two-year mission, flying in formation with Aqua and Aura (NASA), Calipso (NASA/CNES) and CloudSat (NASA/CSA) as part of the so-called A-Train. These satellites, to be joined later by NASA’s Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO) in 2008, will for the first time ever combine a full suite of instruments for observing clouds and aerosols, from passive radiometers to active lidar and radar sounders.
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Latest Update 06/03/2008
Before reproducing any containt of this web site, please consult the Rights
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Since November 28, 2007 19:24:20 UTC, Calipso has definitively changed its tilt (pitch from 0,3° to 3°) following tests performed from November 6 to 15, 2006 and from August 21 to September 7 2007.
To insure the best possible footpring overlap, Cloudsat has modified its position with respect to Calipso by moving 5 secondes away ahead of Calipso.
New A-Train phasing
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03/2008
PARASOL Exploitation Review on March 27th and 28th, 2008, at CNES Toulouse |
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10/2007
A-Train Lille Symposium 2007" Lille (France) from October 22 to 25, 2007. The goal of this ... |
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06/2007
2nd PARASOL Exploitation Review |
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03/2007
PARASOL in the Eye of the storm. |
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01/2007
End of AEROSOL and CLOUDS Level 2 and 3 reprocessing at ICARE. |
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12/2006
A-train operational coordination meeting at NASA |
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