INVESTIGATING SPECTROSCOPY AND FORWARD MODEL IMPROVEMENTS FOR ATMOSPHERIC RETRIEVAL OF METHANE IN THE THERMAL INFRARED
19, January 2018

ESA Open Invitation to Tender AO9177
Open Date: 15/01/2018
Closing Date: 09/03/2018 13:00:00

Status: ISSUED
Reference Nr.: 17.197.13
Prog. Ref.: General Studies
Budget Ref.: E/0600-00 – General Studies
Special Prov.: BE+DK+FR+DE+IT+NL+ES+SE+CH+GB+IE+AT+NO+FI+PT+GR+LU+CZ+RO+PL+EE+HU+CA+SI
Tender Type: C
Price Range: 200-500 KEURO
Techology Domains: Onboard Data Systems / Payload Data Processing / System Technologies for Payload Data Processing
Establishment: ESTEC
Directorate: Directorate of Tech, Eng. & Quality
Department: System, Software & Technology Department
Division: Future Prep. & Strategic Studies Off.
Contract Officer: Ferreol, Audrey
Industrial Policy Measure: N/A – Not apply
Last Update Date: 15/01/2018
Update Reason: Tender issue

The increase of direct greenhouse gases, such as CH4, are amongst the largest contributors to climate change. The determination of their sources and sinks is hence a pre-requisite for the prediction of future climate. A recent activity, investigating methods for synergetic retrieval of near-surface concentrations of CH4 using passive short-wave infrared (SWIR) and thermal infrared (TIR) observations, revealed a problem in the retrieval of CH4 from the TIR (6-10 micrometers). In order to further the capabilities of synergetic use of SWIR and TIR observations to obtain CH4 profile information, and thereby improved input to models inferring sources and sinks, this bias problem must be resolved. Also, current and future passive TIR sensors for CH4 will benefit from this investigation.This activity aims at investigating the causes of the bias through investigations of uncertainties in the spectroscopic information, state-of-the-art forward models, and possible instrument biases. Recommendations for further spectroscopic and/or model improvements shall be provided.

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