Title of Presentation: Status of the TWiLiTE airborne molecular Doppler lidar project

Primary (Corresponding) Author: Bruce Gentry / Cathy Marx

Organization of Primary Author: Goddard Space Flight Center

Co-Authors: Matthew McGill, Geary Schwemmer, Michael Hardesty, Alan Brewer, Thomas Wilkerson, Robert Atlas, Marcos Sirota, Scott Lindemann, Floyd Hovis

Abstract: The Tropospheric Wind Lidar Technology Experiment (TWiLiTE) is a three year IIP program to advance the technology readiness level of the key technologies and subsystems of a molecular direct detection wind lidar system by validating them, at the system level, in an integrated airborne lidar system. The TWiLiTE Doppler lidar system is designed for autonomous operation on NASA high altitude research aircraft such as the WB57 or ER-2. These aircraft are capable of flying well above the mid-latitude tropopause so the downward looking lidar will measure complete profiles of the horizontal wind field through the lower stratosphere and the entire troposphere. The completed system will profile winds in clear air from the aircraft altitude of 18 km to the surface with 250 m vertical resolution and a velocity precision of < 3 m/s. In this paper we will describe the new technologies developed as part of the TWiLiTE program and present an update on the status of the airborne lidar system development.