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Conclusion of CALIPSO Mission: 17 Years of Lidar Satellite Observations Provide Crucial Data on Earth’s Atmosphere
In a collaborative initiative between NASA and France’s Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES), the CALIPSO lidar satellite mission came to an end in 2023 after 17 years. Operating in conjunction with CloudSat, CALIPSO provided indispensable data on Earth’s atmospheric conditions, significantly contributing to our understanding of incidents like the 2020 wildfires in Australia and volcanic activity.
CALIPSO’s Role and Impact
The Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO) successfully concluded its operations on August 1, 2023. Over its 17-year span, the satellite collected in excess of 10 billion lidar measurements, serving as the foundation for countless scientific publications. CALIPSO was launched in partnership with NASA and CNES and functioned collaboratively with CloudSat’s cloud-profiling radar system.
NASA’s project scientist for CALIPSO, Chip Trepte, noted, “The mission necessitated the construction of a highly sophisticated lidar system capable of functioning in the outer space environment. The satellite was then flown in a coordinated formation to align CALIPSO’s lidar measurements with radar data from CloudSat.”
Sensor Innovations
Both lidar and radar are categorized as “active” sensors as they emit energy beams—laser light for CALIPSO and radio waves for CloudSat—towards Earth and then record the reflections from clouds and aerosols. This is in contrast to other “passive” orbiting instruments that solely measure natural emissions or reflections from Earth or its atmosphere. The composite data from CALIPSO and CloudSat offered unprecedented details about cloud structures and aerosol layers.
Observational Scope and Achievements
Launched simultaneously on April 28, 2006, both satellites operated in Sun-synchronous orbits, covering the Earth from the North to the South poles. Their unique and nearly simultaneous observations enabled scientists to develop a more nuanced understanding of multiple atmospheric phenomena, including but not limited to cloud formation, atmospheric convection, and precipitation.
Key Observations
Among the significant findings, CALIPSO was instrumental in observing the 2020 Australian wildfires. The satellite detected smoke plumes ascending between 9 and 12 miles above the Earth, reaching the stratosphere, which was one of the highest such elevations ever recorded. CALIPSO’s data were also vital for aviation safety, especially in detecting and measuring volcanic ash plumes, as substantiated by its utility during the 2010 Icelandic volcanic eruption.
Legacy and Collaborations
According to Winker, CALIPSO’s long-term impact includes the formation of an international community of data users, comprising hundreds of graduate students worldwide. Trepte emphasized the importance of international partnerships, stating, “Our collaboration with CNES was particularly beneficial. Their extensive experience in both spacecraft and lidar technology enabled us to develop and execute a mission that significantly expanded our understanding of Earth’s climate, air quality, and weather conditions.”
CALIPSO was equipped with an aerosol-measuring lidar from NASA’s Langley Research Center, while the spacecraft itself was provided by CNES. Additional partners included the Canadian Space Agency and the Jet Propulsion Lab, which were responsible for CloudSat’s radar, and Ball Aerospace Corporation and Fibertek, which contributed to the CloudSat spacecraft and CALIPSO laser, respectively.
In concluding remarks, Winker expressed satisfaction, stating, “The mission, envisioned 25 years ago, has been a long-standing success, and it feels fulfilling to see it come to fruition.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about CALIPSO lidar satellite mission
What was the primary objective of the CALIPSO lidar satellite mission?
The primary objective of the CALIPSO (Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation) mission was to collect lidar measurements to advance global understanding of Earth’s atmospheric conditions. The satellite focused on climate, weather, and air quality, among other atmospheric phenomena.
Who were the key partners in the CALIPSO mission?
The CALIPSO mission was a collaborative initiative between NASA and France’s Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES). Additional partners included the Canadian Space Agency and the Jet Propulsion Lab, which contributed to the cloud-profiling radar system on CloudSat.
How long did the CALIPSO mission last?
The CALIPSO mission lasted for 17 years, from its launch on April 28, 2006, until its conclusion on August 1, 2023.
What were some of the significant findings of the CALIPSO mission?
CALIPSO played a crucial role in understanding various atmospheric events and conditions. For example, it observed smoke from the 2020 Australian wildfires reaching up to 12 miles above the Earth’s surface and detected ash plumes from volcanic eruptions, aiding aviation safety.
What types of sensors did CALIPSO use?
CALIPSO used an “active” lidar sensor that emitted laser beams towards Earth to measure reflections from clouds and aerosols. This was in contrast to “passive” sensors, which only measure natural emissions or reflections.
How many measurements did CALIPSO collect during its mission?
Over its 17-year operational span, CALIPSO recorded more than 10 billion lidar measurements.
What is the legacy of the CALIPSO mission?
The mission has left an enduring legacy, including the development of an international community of data users. Hundreds of graduate students worldwide have been trained in using CALIPSO lidar data for their research.
How did CALIPSO contribute to aviation safety?
CALIPSO’s lidar technology was instrumental in detecting and measuring the altitude of volcanic ash plumes. This data was crucial for issuing advisories to pilots and rerouting flights to ensure aviation safety.
Were there any other satellites working in conjunction with CALIPSO?
Yes, CALIPSO worked in tandem with the CloudSat satellite. The two satellites collected nearly simultaneous measurements, providing new insights into cloud structures and aerosol layers.
What is the future of atmospheric research following the conclusion of the CALIPSO mission?
While CALIPSO has concluded its mission, the data it collected will continue to be analyzed and used for various scientific research projects. The international community of researchers trained on CALIPSO data is also expected to utilize data from future satellite lidar missions.
More about CALIPSO lidar satellite mission
- CALIPSO Mission Overview
- NASA Earth Science Division
- Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES)
- CloudSat Satellite Mission
- Australian Wildfires of 2020
- Volcanic Ash Advisory Centers
- Canadian Space Agency
- Jet Propulsion Lab
- Ball Aerospace Corporation
- Fibertek Company Profile
7 comments
its just fascinating that CALIPSO helped with aviation safety too. Volcanic ash can be so dangerous for flights.
Wow, 17 years is a long time for a satellite mission. Hats off to everyone involved in CALIPSO. It’s amazing how this project has contributed so much to our understanding of the atmosphere.
This is great and all but what’s next? Any plans for a CALIPSO 2.0?
kudos to international collaborations. When great minds from different parts of the world come together, they achieve what’s nearly impossible alone.
I think the legacy part is pretty neat. Training the next gen of researchers is a long-term win that goes beyond the life of the satellite.
10 billion measurements is mind-blowing. Think of all the scientific reports that can stem from this data!
Makes you wonder what the next big thing in atmospheric research will be, now that CALIPSO has concluded its mission. I’m excited to see what the future holds.