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CALIPSO

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description CALIPSO Overview

CALIPSO (Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation) was a joint Earth-observing satellite mission developed by NASA and the French space agency CNES. Launched in 2006, the spacecraft utilized a lidar instrument to collect vertical profiles of atmospheric clouds and aerosols. These measurements provided climate scientists with critical data to better understand how clouds and airborne particles impact Earth's weather and climate systems.

help CALIPSO FAQ

What did the CALIPSO satellite measure?

CALIPSO used a lidar instrument to collect vertical profiles of clouds and aerosols in Earth's atmosphere, providing data on how these particles affect climate and weather. The mission was specifically designed to study the role of clouds and aerosols in Earth's radiation budget.

Which space agencies built and operated CALIPSO?

CALIPSO was a joint mission between NASA and the French space agency CNES (Centre National d'Études Spatiales). It was part of NASA's Earth Observing System constellation of satellites.

When was CALIPSO launched and what was the A-Train?

CALIPSO launched in 2006 and joined the A-Train, a coordinated formation of Earth-observing satellites that flew in close succession over the same ground track. This formation allowed multiple instruments to observe the same atmospheric features nearly simultaneously.

How does the lidar on CALIPSO work?

CALIPSO's lidar sent laser pulses downward through the atmosphere and measured the backscattered light returning from clouds and aerosol particles. By timing the return signal, scientists could determine the altitude and density of atmospheric layers, creating vertical cross-sections of the sky.

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