FLEX: ESA's Earth Explorer 8 candidate mission

Abstract

In this paper we present the scientific objectives of the FLEX mission and the underlying rationale. It sketches the basic ideas of the new measurement concept, which is making use of the tandem configuration of FLEX with GMES/Sentinel-3, and outlines the most important instrument and system requirements. We will describe the envisaged instrument configuration that is in line with the measurement objectives, and which is supported by the latest results of the scientific investigations.

Reconstructed Solar‐Induced Fluorescence: A Machine Learning Vegetation Product Based on MODIS Surface Reflectance to Reproduce GOME‐2 Solar‐Induced Fluorescence

“…Recently, a new retrieval of red SIF from GOME‐2 instrument was developed (Joiner et al, 2016), which is noisy but could yield important additional information on LUE. New fluorescence observations at higher spatial and temporal resolution and with higher signal‐to‐noise ratio, such as from OCO‐2 (Frankenberg et al, 2014; Li et al, 2017; Schimel et al, 2015), Florescence Explorer (FLEX) (Kraft et al, 2012), TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) (Guanter et al, 2015), or Geostationary Carbon Cycle Observatory (GeoCARB) (O'Brien et al, 2016), might help better retrieve changes in LUE, maybe in combination with this RSIF product. In addition, SIF observations at other spectral frequencies and at higher temporal resolution (diurnal) might yield critical information regarding variations in SIF yield and LUE.…”

Spaceborne Sun-Induced Vegetation Fluorescence Time Series from 2007 to 2015 Evaluated with Australian Flux Tower Measurements

“…These include the Greenhouse gases Observing SATellite (GOSAT) [32][33][34][35], the Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment 2 (GOME-2) [21,36], the SCanning Imaging Absorption spectroMeter for Atmospheric CHartographY (SCIAMACHY) [33,37], and the Orbiting Carbon Observatory 2 (OCO-2) [38]. Future instruments capable of measuring SiF are the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) [39] and the dedicated FLuorescence EXplorer mission (FLEX) [40]. From the current instruments, particularly the GOME-2 instruments profit from a good spatial coverage and the availability of long historical records: GOME-2 on Metop-A has been fully operational since 2007 and GOME-2 on Metop-B since 2013.…”

La contribution du spatial en France aux sciences de l'atmosphère et du climat

“…Clerbaux et al, 2009 ;Menut et al, 2017 pour les aspects composition atmosphérique), Polder et Calipso (aérosols et nuages, voir Tanré et al, 2011 ;Zeng et al, 2011et Winker et al, 2009 ; voir aussi encadré 6). De futures missions/ instruments sont aujourd'hui en phase A, B ou C, comme par exemple Iasi-NG (Crevoisier et al, 2014), Biomass (Scipal et al, 2010), Flex (Kraft et al, 2012), CFOsat (Caudal et al, 2014), Swarm (Mandéa, 2016), Swot (Gaultier et al, 2016), Merlin et Microcarb (voir Chevallier et al, 2017, pour plus …”