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PARASOL
Polarization & Anisotropy of Reflectances for Atmospheric Sciences coupled with Observations from a Lidar
SATELLITE
Microsatellite from the CNES MYRIADE series
To improve the characterization of the clouds and aerosols microphysical and radiative properties.
Instrument derived from POLDER
Altitude 705 km
Lifetime in orbit :
minimum 1 year,
2 years wished

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The project main steps

Timeline

 

Parasol is the second microsatellite in the Myriade series developed by CNES. It is carrying a wide-field imaging radiometer/polarimeter called POLDER (Polarization and Directionality of the Earth’s Reflectances), designed in partnership with the LOA atmospheric optics laboratory in Lille (CNRS-USTL). POLDER is designed to improve our knowledge of the radiative and microphysical properties of clouds and aerosols by measuring the directionality and polarization of light reflected by the Earth-atmosphere system.

Launched by an Ariane 5 G+ from Europe’s spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, Parasol has embarked on an expected two-year mission, flying in formation with Aqua and Aura (NASA), Calipso (NASA/CNES) and CloudSat (NASA/CSA) as part of the so-called A-Train. These satellites, to be joined later by NASA’s Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO) in 2008, will for the first time ever combine a full suite of instruments for observing clouds and aerosols, from passive radiometers to active lidar and radar sounders.


 Press pack  
 Animations and videos

  Rita vue par Parasol
Hurricane Rita seen by PARASOL
Orbit 019070, on the 23rd of September 2005
 

Latest Update 10/12/2009
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STATUS
  After nearly 5 years of simultaneous measurements with the A-Train satellites, PARASOL microsatellite left its position in the constellation at 12:48 UT, on December 2, 2009.  
NEWS
02/12/2009
PARASOL gets off the train
 
18/12/2008
4th anniversary in orbit for PARASOL!
 
11/2008
PARASOL in the press: interview of the PI of the mission (in french).
 
10/2008
A-TRAIN operational coordination meeting (MOWG) on October 8th, 9th and 10th, 2008 in Norfolk, Virginia (USA).
 
06/2008
3rd PARASOL products Exploitation Review on June 19th, 2008, at CNES Toulouse
 
03/2008
3rd PARASOL space segment Exploitation Review on March 27th and 28th, 2008, at CNES Toulouse
 
10/2007
A-Train Lille Symposium 2007" Lille (France) from October 22 to 25, 2007. The goal of this ...