A drifting platform at stratospheric heights presents a unique opportunity to profile the Antarctic atmosphere that can increase our understanding of upper atmosphere dynamics in regions that are poorly sampled by conventional techniques. For example, understanding changes leading up to the breakup of the polar vortex in spring is important to understanding the impact of carbon dioxide (CO2) versus ozone induced forcing of Antarctic climate. The Centre Nationale d'Etudes Spatiales, in France, has developed a stratospheric super-pressure balloon that flies at constant density at 20 km altitude for deployment during an Antarctic measurement campaign in September 2009. A modified version of Haase's airborne radio occultation system will be developed for incorporation into the balloon payload. This prototype system will record two profiles per hour for the approximately 90 day journey of the stratospheric balloon within the polar vortex. These exploratory data will pave the way for future campaigns that will contribute sufficient data to improve substantially model representations of the springtime breakup of the Antarctic polar vortex. These data will contribute to improved methods for assimilating other advanced satellite sounder data, in particular the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI).
This grant will foster close collaboration with international scientists in France who have unique expertise in observations from stratospheric balloons. This will be of mutual value to both nation's scientific activities.
