Measurement Of Pollution In The Troposphere (MOPITT)
The Measurements Of Pollution In The Troposphere ( MOPITT ) instrument, which was by far the largest and most complex instrument ever undertaken by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), was launched on the Terra spacecraft in late 1999 (follow the link for information on the spacecraft status and current mission operations). MOPITT is an infrared radiometer designed to measure carbon monoxide (CO) and methane (CH4) total column concentrations, and CO vertical profile concentrations.
COM DEV was the prime contractor for the CSA and provided systems engineering, detailed design, manufacturing, assembly and test. Some of the specific technologies used in the MOPITT instrument include:
- infrared optics (136 optical elements in the flight model)
- long life optical mechanisms (e.g. 1800 RPM for 5 years)
- radiation hard electronics (mechanism drive, thermal control, digital signal processing, detector readout, control computer)
- infrared detectors (InSb detectors and cryogenic preamplifiers)
- cryogenic cooling down to 90 K (-183°C)
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COM DEV also supported instrument calibration at the University of Toronto, spacecraft integration/test at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space in Pennsylvania, and launch operations which occurred at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Initial flight operations support took place as the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Flight operations now take place from the physics department at the University of Toronto with COM DEV providing continued support. The instrument is operating well and is meeting all science requirements.
Terra Integration and Launch Sequence
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| Terra spacecraft being encapsulated into payload fairing. MOPITT instrument is outlined. (Photo courtesty of NASA) |
Launch of Terra, December 18, 1999. (Photo courtesy of NASA) |
Artist's concept of the Terra spacecraft in orbit. |
MOPITT Technologies
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| MOPITT Coolers |
Infrared Detector Nest |
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| SPM Electronics |
LMC Mechanism |
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| MOPITT Infrared Optics |
Chopper Mechanism |
MOPITT Aircraft
As part of the overall MOPITT data validation program, an aircraft version of the MOPITT ( MOPITT-A ) instrument was designed and built using many of the MOPITT development parts. This activity was led by the University of Toronto. COM DEV provided design and assembly support for this initiative. The instrument was integrated to a NASA ER-2 high altitude research aircraft at Dryden Airforce Base, Dryden, California in July 2000. MOPITT-A was later flown over Southern Africa during the Safari 2000 campaign in September 2000.
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| MOPITT Aircraft Instrument |
NASA ER-2 High Altitude Research
Aircraft, September 2000 |