Investigator: Richard Ulrich
Co-Investigator: Tom Spicer, Tim Kral
Department: Chemical Engineering
E-mail: rulrich@uark.edu
The purpose of this project is to establish a SPAC research area in the use of LIDAR to characterize planetary atmospheres. Principal applications include more accurately determining the three-dimensional distribution of methane in the Martian atmosphere which, in the past year, has been found to be present on Mars in anomalously high amounts and with a non-homogenous distribution, and mapping the atmosphere of Titan. More generally, the goals of this project at the end of one year include:
• Understand what minor components can be measured with an orbiting down looking LIDAR and associated optics. The resulting system must be small enough and light enough to be considered as an economically viable payload component.
• Based on the considerable amount of literature from terrestrial LIDAR projects, consider application to other atmospheric conditions such as those of Venus, Mar, Titan and, collectively, the gas giants. This study will involve fundamental computer modeling of laser interactions with spectroscopically active molecules, aerosols, dust of Martian size, cloud layers, etc.
• Specify, select, and cost laser and optical equipment that could be installed on SPAC’S Mars simulation chamber to provide model validation. This would form the basis of a follow-on proposal.
