NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS) 20150001411: Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) for the International Space Station (ISS): Mission Description and Science Goals

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Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) for the International Space Station (ISS):
Mission Description and Science Goals
R. J. Blakeslee1, H. J. Christian2, D. M. Mach3, D. E. Buechler2, W. J. Koshak1, T. D. Walker2, M. Bateman3, M. F. Stewart2, S. O’Brien2, T. Wilson2, S. Pavelitz1, C. Coker1
1NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (email: [email protected], phone: [phone]), 2University of Alabama in Huntsville, 3Universities Space Research Association (USRA)
Introduction and Overview LIS Hardware (Heritage and New) Science and Applications from LIS Lightning
Mission (heritage) (new) Weather: Total lightning is strongly coupled in a quantitative way
to thunderstorm processes and responds to updraft velocity and
(cid:190)Fly a space-qualified, flight-spare LIS on ISS to take
cloud particles (concentration, phase, type, and flux).
advantage of unique capabilities provided by the ISS (e.g.,
high inclination, real time data). ─ LIS acts like a radar in space: it reveals the heart of the cloud.
─ Lightning can improve convective precipitation estimates.
(cid:190)Integrate LIS as hosted payload on DoD Space Test Program ─ Lightning is strongly coupled to severe weather hazards (winds, floods,
Houston 5 (STP-H5) mission and launch on Space X rocket tornadoes, hail, wild fires) and can improve forecast models.
in February 2016 for a minimum 2 year mission. Flight Spare LIS Climate: Lightning is an excellent variable for climate monitoring
Measurement because it is sensitive to small changes in temperature and
atmospheric forcing. ISS LIS will:
(cid:190) NASA, the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) and their partners developed Sensor Unit Electronics Unit Interface Unit ─ Extend 16 year time series of TRMM LIS, expand to higher latitudes.
and demonstrated effectiveness and value of space-based lightning observations as - Optical Assembly - Real Time Event Processor and - Power conversion ─ Monitor the occurrence and changes in extreme storms.
a remote sensing tool. - 128x128 CCD Focal Plane Background removal - 1 PPS Time Signal ─ Provide much desired cross-sensor calibrations between platforms.
(cid:190) LIS measures total lightning (amount, rate, radiant energy) during both day and - Lightning and Background - Control & Data Handling (C&DH) - C&DH Formatting Chemistry: ISS LIS will help improve estimates of lightning
night, with storm scale resolution, millisecond timing, and high, uniform detection detection - Power conversion and control - ISS Interface produced NO for climate and air quality studies.
x
efficiency. ─ Lightning NOx also impacts ozone, an important green house gas.
– LIS daytime detection is especially unique and scientifically important (>70% occurs during day). ─ Climate most sensitive to ozone in upper troposphere, exactly where
– Also, LIS globally detects TOTAL (both cloud and ground) lightning with no land-ocean bias. lightning is the most important source of NOx.
Other: Complementary ISS LIS observations will help unravel the Lightning (top), radar (middle),
Need and Benefit mechanisms leading to terrestrial gamma-ray flashes (TGFs) and and vertical velocity (bottom)
illustrate strong lightning-
Transient Luminous Events (TLEs). storm coupling
(cid:190)Lightning is quantitatively coupled to both

thunderstorm and related geophysical processes, and Unique Science Contributions from ISS Platform
therefore provides important science inputs across a LIS in Calibration LIS Performance Parameters
wide range of disciplines (e.g., weather, climate, (cid:137)Lightning coverage at higher latitude missed by TRMM
atmospheric chemistry, lightning physics). LIS Integration as Hosted Payload on STP-H5 – TRMM LIS misses up to 30% lightning in N. Hemisphere summer
(cid:190) ISS LIS (or i LIS as Hugh Christian prefers) will extend Interface Unit – Enhance regional and global weather, climate, and chemistry studies
TRMM time series observations, expand latitudinal Starboard Electronics – Provide CONUS coverage (needed for National Climate Assessment)
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LIS Flight Heritage Zenith •LmISa nwifilel sbte. installed on – rDaensgier elidgh btnyi nNgA sSyAst eamn dva slitdraotniognly, h eunrrdicoarnsee rda pbiyd iNntOeAnsAif ipcaatriotnne ervsa luations)
ISS in an Earth viewing (partners include: NWS Pacific Region, Joint Typhoon Warning Center, Ocean
Optical Transient Detector MicroLab-1 MicroLab-1 (nadir) position. Prediction Center, Aviation Weather Center, and National Hurricane Center) Real time LIS Lightning useful for a host
LDOaarubtanit:c: hM7e0adºy: i1An9cpl9rini5l . 1,- 97A93p55r ikl m20 00 1D9at9a5 b Luayu: n1c9h95 -2000 •Proabyolotaicd i nbsutialtl ltaoti oalnlo own (cid:137)Eonthaebrl eIS sSim pauyltlaonaedos us / complementary observations with of operations (LIS in Hurricane Katrina)
FD ii eu l(rddn oeatfl e cvcyietcswl et:o: 1s ~a27m550pº )xle 1d2 i5n0 5 k5m d ays Wake Nadir Sensor Unit ISS. – Pleraodviindge tcor iTtiGcaFls daanydt iTmLEes l i(gshtrtonnignlgy etnod boerstetde rb yu EnSdAe ArsStIMan adn md JeAcXhAa GnLiIsMmSs)
(cid:137)Support cross-sensor calibration and validation activities
Lightning Imaging Sensor 1997 Launch Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) LIS Launch, Installation and Operation on ISS – Inter-calibrate ISS LIS, TRMM LIS, GOES-R GLM and MTG LI for
Launched: November 1997 Satftilel ro 1p6e+ra yteioanrsa l! improved science and applications (strongly endorsed by NOAA and ESA) LwISh edne tmecotsst lliigghhttnniinngg doucrciunrgs the day
Data: Jan 1995 - present •Launch on a Space X rocket
O(broboits:t e3d5 ºt oin 4cl0in0. ,k 3m5 0in k 2m0 01) with Dragon cargo vehicle Summary
(detects to ~38º) Feb. 2016
Field of view: 600 x 600 km
Diurnal cycle: sampled in 49 days •Robotically installed on an (cid:190) There exist several core science applications of LIS lightning observations, that range from
(cid:190)ISS LIS builds upon a solid foundation of previous on-orbit observations, extending 19 years. external truss (ELC-1) in weather and climate to atmospheric chemistry and lightning physics due to strong quantitative
position shown. connections that can be made between lightning and other geophysical processes of interest.
(cid:190)Key LIS scientists, engineers, and facilities are still in place to support this mission.
•Operated for 2 years, but (cid:190) The space-base vantage point, such as provided by ISS LIS, still remains an ideal location to
(cid:190)Wqueicllk elys tpalbaclieshde idn tpor othcee shsainngd,s a orcf hthivea ls,c aienndc dei sutsreibr uctoiomnm suysntietym. s assures ISS LIS data will be wfroillm s eNeAkS mA.is sion extension Launch (February 2016) Operation (minimum 2 years) obtain total lightning observations on a global basis.