Preparing a future Swedish satellite mission

Research Project, 2020 – 2021

A better knowledge of the physical processes controlling the middle atmosphere (15-90 km of altitude) is necessary to understand the atmospheric system as a whole and to improve climate models. However, the current models are unable to reproduce correctly the wind field and no accurate long-term and global wind observational data set is available in this atmospheric region. SIW (Stratospheric Inferred Winds) will fill in this gap. SIW is a future satellite-borne instrument project that was recently selected by the Swedish national space agency to be the next Swedish research satellite. The goal of this mission is to develop a new limb-sounding sub-millimetre radiometer, optimised for wind measurements at high altitude.
This project will facilitate the transfer of responsibilities from Prof. Donal Murtagh (PI of the mission) to Dr Kristell Pérot, a young female atmospheric scientist. She will carry out a preliminary study to start preparing for the scientific exploitation of the future wind data. She will also conduct two short-term research international stays at a few strategic institutes in order to learn more about middle atmospheric dynamics and wind measurement techniques. This project will therefore allow Kristell to extend her network and to take on greater responsibilities with respect to this future satellite mission.