Energy News  
Calipso Integration And Qualification Proceeding

The Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) satellite is currently being developed to help scientists answer significant questions and provide new information about the effects of clouds and aerosols (airborne particles) on changes in the Earth's climate. Understanding these components will provide the international science community with a more comprehensive data set that is essential for a better understanding of the Earth's climatic processes. Accurate climate model predictions will provide international and national leaders accurate information to make more informed policy decisions about global climate change.

Paris - Mar 22, 2004
The Calipso (Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infra-Red Pathfinder Satellite Observations) satellite is a collaborative effort between CNES (French Space Agency) and NASA. It will take measurements of the vertical distribution of the clouds and the aerosols to provide a better understanding of the climate system and global climate forecasting.

NASA is responsible for the overall mission and system as well as the facilities for operations. It provides the payload and the launch as well. One of the 3 instruments within the payload is a 3-channel thermal imager developed by CNES.

CNES is responsible for the satellite, navigation and guidance tools and the facility to process data from the thermal imager. CNES also provides a PROTEUS microsat bus. The payload arrived at Alcatel Space in Cannes, France, last month where it is being integrated to the bus and will than go through integration and qualification tests.

Ground facilities are almost ready. Testing of the entire system and preparation of the operations should start at the end of April. Calipso is set to launch in March 2005. Calipso will be teamed with the American missions AQUA and CLOUDSAT, and the French micro satellite PARASOL.

Orbiting at an altitude of 705 km, the group of 4 satellites will be nicknamed "Aqua-train". AQUA was placed in orbit in April 2002. PARASOL is set to launch at the end of 2004 and Calipso and CLOUDSAT beginning 2005.

Community
Email This Article
Comment On This Article

Related Links
Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations
CNES
SpaceDaily
Search SpaceDaily
Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express
Earth Observation News - Suppiliers, Technology and Application



Memory Foam Mattress Review
Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily
XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News


New Legislation Initiated To Support Commercial Remote Sensing Industry
New York NY (SPX) Jan 11, 2006
The importance of remotely sensed data and technologies to support natural disasters has prompted attention and action in Washington. New initiatives and legislation authorizing appropriations to the remote sensing industry will be discussed at Strategic Research Institute's U.S. Commercial Remote Sensing Industry conference, scheduled for February 9-10, 2006 in Washington D.C.







  • Scientists Call For Less Destructive Remediation At Doe Sites
  • INEEL Designing Prototype System For Yucca Mountain Repository
  • EU Offers Armenia 100 Million Euros To Shut Down Nuclear Plant
  • Hybrids On The High Seas

  • Yucca Mountain Site Must Make Use Of Geological Safety Net
  • New Jersey Physicist Uncovers New Information About Plutonium
  • Complex Plant Design Goes Virtual To Save Time And Money
  • Volcanic Hazard At Yucca Mountain Greater Than Previously Thought





  • NASA Uses Remotely Piloted Airplane To Monitor Grapes



  • Sonic Boom Modification May Lead To New Era
  • Hewitt Pledges Support For Aerospace Industry
  • National Consortium Picks Aviation Technology Test Site
  • Wright Flyer Takes To The Sky In Las Vegas

  • Los Alamos Hopes To Lead New Era Of Nuclear Space Tranportion With Jovian Mission
  • Boeing Selects Leader for Nuclear Space Systems Program
  • Boeing-Led Team to Study Nuclear-Powered Space Systems
  • Boeing To Build Space-borne Power Generator

  • The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement