NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Group Members
Lead: Jim Podolske (650-604-4853)

Research Objectives
The scientific objectives are to apply and advance laser-based and other optical technologies to the trace gas measurement needs of the NASA Science, Exploration Systems, and Aeronautics Research Mission Directorates. Using technologies developed within NASA and through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, we seek to understand the role that water vapor, carbon monoxide, and other gases play in global tropospheric chemistry and meteorology.

Research Activities
Tropospheric Chemistry: Ongoing effort to provide fast, high accuracy water vapor observations to aid understanding of intercontinental chemical transport and transformations. (INTEX-NA, INTEX-B)

Tropospheric Meteorology: Measure water vapor and carbon monoxide as part of a suite of in-situ and remote airborne sensors to understand how cyclo-genesis occurs in the Eastern Atlantic and what factors affect this process. (NAMMA)

Satellite Validation: Provide water vapor measurements for comparison with satellite instruments (SOLVE, TRACE-P, SOLVE II, INTEX-NA, INTEX-B, PAVE)

CEV Air Revitalization: Study emerging air revitalization technologies as candidates for use on CEV for carbon monoxide, ammonia, and formaldehyde.

Jet Engine Emissions: Apply Pb-salt and Quantum Cascade laser-based spectroscopy to the measurement of formaldehyde and other trace gases for jet engines.