Lelia Vann (l.b.vann@larc.nasa.gov), SAGE III Science Manager, Aerosol Research Branch, NASA Langley Research Center
The first Meteor-3M/SAGE III Science and Data Processing Subgroup meeting was held at the Langley Research Center. The meeting began on Monday, April 3, with welcoming statements by M. Patrick McCormick,the SAGE III Principal Investigator. The meeting goals were to:
The SAGE III Science Team was established in 1989. Team activities include the development of required Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) EOS documentation, involvement in algorithm development, involvement in verification, data correlation, etc. It is important that the science team results be coordinated and peer reviewed prior to publication.
McCormick and the SAGE III Science Team would like to have two Russians added as members of the SAGE III Science Team. In addition, there is a strong desire for Russian participation in the algorithm development, and McCormick extended an invitation to have one or two Russian scientists visit the U.S. to work side-by-side with the U.S. team in developing processing algorithms. (These Russian scientists working on algorithm development could be other than the Russian Science Team members.)
The Science Program highlights were presented by Jack Kaye, the SAGE III Program Manager from NASA Headquarters. SAGE III is critical to the EOS program and was strongly supported by the EOS Payload Panel and recognized as an overall international program for studying atmospheric chemistry and aerosols. Flying SAGE III aboard Meteor-3M in 1998 through 2003+ is important because other space-based sources of data may be severely limited, and it is predicted that the stratospheric chlorine levels should be peaking near 2000, so this timeframe will provide global coverage before and after the peak. The U.S. recognizes the Russian capabilities in ground-based measurements of ozone, aerosols, trace gases, and atmospheric chemistry; balloon measurements of ozone and water vapor; and use of models and remote sensing. We want the best Russian scientists involved, working jointly with the SAGE III Science Team. We envision Russia to have an independent team led and coordinated by their two members on the Science Team.
Co-investigator Joseph Zawodny described the instrument and data to be taken. Yuri Borisov had several questions about the instrument specifications and data sampling as well as detailed questions about the SAGE II data, which had previously been provided to him. Zawodny agreed to meet with him later during the week with a couple of the algorithm developers to explain in detail the SAGE II algorithms, processing, and archiving. Zawodny also provided Borisov with SAGE III instrument parameters as well as some papers that have been presented on some of the data results.
Borisov, Department Chief at Central Aerological Observatory in Russia, listed eight potential candidates for either the science team or the algorithm development team: Kokin, Ivanovsky, Shturkov, Glazkov, Stasuik, Kugaenko, Borisov, and Efinov. The SFM-2M Russian spaceborne instrument measures ozone from 30-60 km. Borisov thought it would be desirable to fly this instrument with SAGE III for data validation and correlation. The Russians have 20+ years of temperature, pressure, and ozone data for the 30-60 km altitude range.
Borisov suggested that the U.S. members of this subgroup identify the responsibilities of the Russian Science Team members, and the Russians would attempt to supply people to satisfy the responsibilities. The U.S. members agreed to draft some tasks and present them later in the afternoon (see below).
Co-investigator, William Chu, discussed the SAGE III algorithm development and data processing plans. The EOS philosophy is that the data production software will be in place, debugged, and operational at launch. Chu stated the EOS requirements for algorithms and processing software. He talked briefly about the Algorithm Theoretical Basis Documents (ATBD). SAGE III will generate an ATBD for eight data products. He explained that the SAGE III Science Team was grouped into Integrated Product Teams to develop each of these ATBDs. A sample copy of the ATBD was provided to Borisov to help him to understand the detail at which these documents will be generated.
McCormick presented the following as potential Russian Science Team tasks:
These potential tasks will be discussed with Albert Chernikov, Director of Central Aerological Observatory, next week. It is hoped that the Russian science team members will be chosen before the next SAGE III Science Team meeting which is currently targeted for this coming July.
On Tuesday, April 4, Chris Harris, Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC), gave an overview of EOSDIS. Paula Detweiler, also from CSC, briefly discussed the capabilities of the Langley Distributed Active Archive Center (DAAC). She explained how to access the Langley DAAC via Internet and how to obtain data products.
Mike Cisewski, Lockheed contractor supporting Mission Operations for SAGE III, presented a draft outline of the Meteor-3M /SAGE III Mission Operations Plan. The objective of this plan is to identify U. S. and Russian roles and responsibilities during the conduct of the integrated Meteor-3M/SAGE III operations. Current plans are to transmit science data twice every 24 hours to both the Russian and U.S. data stations. Every 2 weeks, routine spacecraft and instrument commands will be transmitted to the spacecraft. However, if there is a possible need to transmit commands to SAGE III more frequently than once every 2 weeks, then the Science team wants the capability to do that. It was agreed to conduct a more-detailed mission operations discussion at the next meeting in Russia. Another subgroup may be warranted since this would involve discussions with all parties that will be participating in the integrated mission operations.
Borisov presented information about the Russian ground, sounding rocket, and balloon measurements program. Recent data results were shown as well.
Zawodny, Borisov, Nina Iyer, and Mike Rowland met on Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning to discuss, in detail, the SAGE II algorithm and data processing. Absorption cross-section data and species climatologies for SAGE were provided to Borisov. Several papers on algorithms for data inversion were provided to Borisov as well.
In summary, the Science and Data Processing subgroup meeting was a huge success. The excitement shared with Borisov during these meetings was evidence that an overall feeling of a genuine Russian/U.S. science partnership is being created.