Calibration and in-orbit performance of the Argus 1000 spectrometer - the Canadian pollution monitor

Abstract

Abstract. Argus 1000 is a new generation miniature pollution-monitoring instrument to monitor greenhouse-gas emission from the space. Argus was launched on the CanX-2 microsatellite April 28, 2008. Operating in the near infrared and in a nadir-viewing mode, Argus provides a capability for the monitoring of Earth-based sources and sinks of anthropogenic pollution. It has 136 near infrared channels in the spectral range of 0.9-1.7 µm with an instantaneous spatial resolution of 1.25 km. With a mass of just 228 g in flight-model configuration, the instrument is a demonstrator for a future micro-satellite network that can supply near-real time monitoring of pollution events in order to facilitate the detection of the sources causing climate change. In this Letter, we describe the instrument, the analysis concept behind Argus 1000 and its in-orbit performance. Recent spectral data taken over Ontario, Canada, are presented.

Carbon dioxide retrieval of Argus 1000 space data by using GENSPECT line-by-line radiative transfer model

“…In this section we describe the geolocation analysis of the data over British Columbia, Canada. Satellite position is determined applying the SGP4 algorithm with a NORAD two-line element set and satellite attitude measurements as inputs (Jagpal, 2011;Chesser et al, 2012). The NORAD two-line element set is chosen to have an epoch as close as possible to the geolocated observation in order to minimize propagation error.…”

“…The NORAD two-line element set is chosen to have an epoch as close as possible to the geolocated observation in order to minimize propagation error. Attitude measurements are obtained in one minute intervals over the duration of requested observations with extra time added before and after the requested observations to take into account the measurement errors (Jagpal, 2011;Chesser et al, 2012). tainties have been estimated to be 33.4 km along-track and 12.8 km crosstrack (Jagpal, 2011;Chesser et al, 2012).…”

“…It is common to assume that during data retrieval process the response of the spectrometer would match with that of simulation obtained by a radiative transfer model of the Earth atmosphere Clough et al, 2006;Jagpal et al, 2010;Fyfe et al, 2013). The ideal match of the retrieved and observed data is exceptionally rare due to number of reasons including imperfectness of the model and instrument variation on successive measurements conditions (Fyfe et al, 2013).…”

“…In order to convert Argus observations to absolute radiance profiles, three data files, an actual observed profile from Argus in space, a calibration profile using the 1000 W high-calibration etalon lamp, and a background profile for elimination of a background noise, are applied (Jagpal, 2011). Labview software is used as the front end while getting calibration and background profiles.…”

Space as a Tool for Astrobiology: Review and Recommendations for Experimentations in Earth Orbit and Beyond

“…Miniaturized spectrometers have been developed and flown for in-situ UV, visible, and near-IR spectral measurements Colaprete et al 2010;Jagpal et al 2010;Sarda et al 2006). Spectrometers to cover additional spectral regions (vacuum UV, mid-IR) are now in the planning stages or under development.…”