The Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment (ACE) is the mission selected by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) for its science satellite, SCISAT-1. ACE consists of a suite of instruments in which the primary element is an infrared Fourier Transform Spectrometer (FTS) coupled with an auxiliary 2-channel visible (525 nm) and near infrared imager (1020 nm). A secondary instrument, MAESTRO, provides spectrographic data from the near ultra-violet to the near infrared, including the visible spectral range. In combination the instrument payload covers the spectral range from 0.25 to 13.3 micron. A comprehensive set of simultaneous measurements of trace gases, thin clouds, aerosols and temperature are made by solar occultation from a satellite in low earth orbit. The ACE mission measures and analyses the chemical and dynamical processes that control the distribution of ozone in the upper troposphere and stratosphere. A high inclination (74 degrees), low earth orbit (650 km) allows coverage of tropical, mid-latitude and polar regions. The ACE/SciSat-1 spacecraft was launched by NASA on August 12th, 2003. This paper presents the on-orbit performance of the ACE-FTS instrument. The commissioning activities allowed the activation of the various elements of the instrument and the optimization of several parameters such as gains, integration times, pointing offsets, etc. The performance validation was the last phase of the instrument hardware commissioning activities. The results of the performance validation are presented in terms of on-orbit instrument performance with respect to instrument requirements such as signal-to-noise ratio, transmittance accuracy, and spectral resolution. Results are also compared to ground validation tests performed during the thermal-vacuum campaigns. Performance is presented in terms of validation of instrument from an engineering perspective.

Date Published: 26 October 2004
PDF: 10 pages
Proc. SPIE 5542, Earth Observing Systems IX, (26 October 2004); doi: 10.1117/12.559951

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 5542:
Earth Observing Systems IX
William L. Barnes; James J. Butler, Editor(s)