Balloon borne spectroscopy from the UV to the THz region: Recent advances and future perspectives

Abstract

The ‘Institute for Meteorology und Climate Research’ (IMK) has used stratospheric balloon borne platforms for atmospheric science for more than 20 years. For that purpose dedicated Infrared Fourier transform spectrometers (MIPAS-B) have been developed, characterised and operated. Recently the MIPAS-B payload has been complemented by TELIS, a submillimeter/Far IR heterodyne spectrometer, developed by DLR-IMF and SRON-EPS, and by a UV/vis spectrometer (Univ. of Heidelberg). The payload constitutes a unique combination of sophisticated sensors for remote sensing of radiation, atmospheric state parameters, cloud information and atmospheric composition, covering a wide range of the electromagnetic spectrum. The broad spectral coverage offers large synergies as e.g. cross-validation of independently measured parameters, closure of chemical families, improved detection of cloud parameters, and cross-check of spectroscopic parameters. Very successful flights with this payload were carried out in 2010 and 2011 that have delivered a wealth of data for studying time-dependent evolutions of reactive species from night-time equilibrium till daytime equilibrium. As a next generation instrument an imaging Fourier-transform spectrometer called GLORIA has been developed in recent years by KIT in cooperation with the Research Center Jülich that had its maiden flight on the Russian high-flying Geophysica in December 2011 (cf. related talk by Friedl-Vallon, Oelhaf and Preusse in session XYZ). The GLORIA concept is being adapted for use on stratospheric balloons in near future.. The talk will focus on recent highlights and outline the current roadmap for the future based on the scientific and technical rationale behind these plans.