Global measurement of tropospheric winds is a key
measurement for understanding atmospheric
dynamics and improving numerical weather
prediction. Global wind profiles remain a high
priority for the operational weather community and
also for a variety of research applications including
studies of the global hydrologic cycle and transport
studies of aerosols and trace species. In addition to
space based winds, high altitude airborne Doppler
lidar systems flown on research aircraft, UAV's or
other advanced sub-orbital platforms would be of
great scientific benefit for studying mesoscale
dynamics and storm systems such as hurricanes. The
Tropospheric Wind Lidar Technology Experiment
(TWiLiTE) is a three year program to advance the
technology readiness level of the key technologies and
subsystems of a molecular direct detection wind lidar
system by validating them, at the system level, in an
integrated airborne lidar system. The TWiLiTE
Doppler lidar system is designed for autonomous
operation on the WB57, a high altitude aircraft
operated by NASA Johnson. The WB57 is capable of
flying well above the mid-latitude tropopause so the
downward looking lidar will measure complete
profiles of the horizontal wind field through the
lower stratosphere and the entire troposphere. The
completed system will have the capability to profile
winds in clear air from the aircraft altitude of 18 km
to the surface with 250 m vertical resolution and < 3
m/s velocity accuracy. Progress in technology
development and status of the instrument design will
be presented.
Access to the requested content is limited to institutions that have purchased or subscribe to SPIE eBooks.
You are receiving this notice because your organization may not have SPIE eBooks access.*
*Shibboleth/Open Athens users─please
sign in
to access your institution's subscriptions.
To obtain this item, you may purchase the complete book in print or electronic format on
SPIE.org.
INSTITUTIONAL Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.
PERSONAL Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.