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Cloud Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations
CALIPSO Satellite
CHARACTERISTICS
CNES Proteus series Mini-satellite
Instruments :
an infrared Lidar,
a visible camera
and a 3 channels infrared imager.
Studies the clouds and aerosols radiative impacts to predict climate evolution.
Quasi sun synchronous orbit at 705 km altitude
Mission lifetime 3 years

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CALIPSO IN THE A-TRAIN

Timeline

 
The Franco-American CALIPSO mission (Cloud Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations) was selected by the NASA for the Earth System Science Pathfinder (ESSP) program to supply a unique data set of atmosphere vertical profiles measured by a Lidar on-board a satellite.

The CALIPSO satellite, which uses a PROTEUS platform, has a payload composed of one backscattering Lidar, main instrument equiped of a 1 meter telescope, a visible camera, and an infrared imager provided by CNES.
 
CALIPSO fly in tandem with CLOUDSAT radar satellite, and both integrated the A-Train, constellation of satellites dedicated to the observation of clouds, aerosols and the water cycle.   Calipso launch

 CALIPSO mission   Movie [20 Mo] © CNES
 Press pack
 Space and Climate


Latest update 01/12/2011
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STATUS
  NASA and CNES extend CALIPSO mission exploitation until the end of 2013. Beginning 2013, another 2 years extension will be studied by the 2 agencies.  
NEWS
November 21, 2011
Positive response of the LOS bureau for CALIPSO mission extension.		  
October 19-21, 2011
A-TRAIN operational coordination meeting (MOWG) in Biarritz, France.		  
October 17-18, 2011
5th CALIPSO Exploitation Review in Biarritz, France.		  
September 26, 2011
NASA confirms CALIPSO mission 2 years extension		  
September 8, 2011
Signature of the new Implementing Arrangement (IA) between CNES and NASA.		  
May 26, 2011
Mission Extension Review Steering Committee (REDEM).		  
April 4, 2011
Mission Extension Review (REDEM).