High-altitude balloon-based wind LIDAR demonstration: from near space to space

Michael T. Dehring; Peter Tchoryk Jr.; Jinxue Wang

doi:10.1117/12.669262

6 June 2006 High-altitude balloon-based wind LIDAR demonstration: from near space to space

Michael T. Dehring, Peter Tchoryk Jr., Jinxue Wang

Proceedings Volume 6220, Spaceborne Sensors III; 62200P (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.669262
Event: Defense and Security Symposium, 2006, Orlando (Kissimmee), Florida, United States

Abstract

A near space, high-altitude balloon mission (BalloonWinds) is planned to demonstrate the performance of a direct detection wind LIDAR instrument. The program is a NOAA-funded initiative to demonstrate direct detection, fringe imaging Doppler Wind LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology. BalloonWinds will involve a series of high altitude missions (~30km), each lasting 8-10 hours, scheduled for launch in 2006 to validate wind LIDAR technology from a near space platform. With the promise of responsive, affordable launch vehicles and near space platforms, there is an opportunity to demonstrate launch-on-demand capability of low-cost instruments that can provide regional or global wind data. It has been well established that direct measurement of winds will improve weather forecasting accuracy and hurricane landfall prediction and would provide benefits to government agencies and the public at large. An overview of the BalloonWinds instrument design and near space flight plan is presented in this paper as well as a concept design for a low-cost, 6-12 month space mission. Instrument performance simulations are used to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the low-cost approach for global wind sounding compared to traditional mission concepts.

Citation Download Citation

Michael T. Dehring, Peter Tchoryk Jr., and Jinxue Wang "High-altitude balloon-based wind LIDAR demonstration: from near space to space", Proc. SPIE 6220, Spaceborne Sensors III, 62200P (6 June 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.669262

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