MANTRA: Middle Atmosphere Nitrogen TRend Assessment

A Balloon Mission to Study Stratospheric Composition

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MANTRA 2004 // Status Report

September 15, 2004

The MANTRA 2004 Campaign ends here.

The second balloon launch ended in about 5 minutes after flight. What happened? Premature firing of two termination devices. Why? Still need investigation. SIL team worked on this subject all the day yesterday and we could understand that the termination devices were not activated by command. We have a smaller backup balloon that could be used providing payload mass is reduced. However, since we do not understand what caused the termination of the last flight we can not have any confidence it will not happen again. With this in mind, a decision was made in not have a third flight. So, today is basically a backing day and tomorrow everyone going back home.

Ah, we still have ballooning activity going on around here today! We plan on fly the SAOZ BrO together with an ozone sound this evening.

Sad we could not have the big balloon... Well, but the campaign this year had some very good measurements. The measurements done during the first SAOZ BrO flight (24 August sunset) were of very good quality and Florence has already preliminary BrO, NO2 and O3 profiles from that! We are now working on comparisons with ground-based retrieved NO2 profile. This year we also run a set of ground-based instruments and the inter-comparison among measurements already started and looks very promising! We have some material (not the way we wish but...) to work on satellite validation and that is a positive thing!

As Deputy PI, I would like to thanks everyone working in this project - great team. Special thanks to people working here in the field - and SIL team - after about 7 weeks in the field you have proven to be great people to work with. Thanks to Ron Wilkinson (CSA) for staying here all this time and always with a positive attitude - your support here has been great!


Cheers,

Stella



September 14, 2004

So yes, after a long wait for the helium and after a set of no go because of bad weather we finally had a launch window last night/this morning. The aim was the sunrise transition. However the upper winds forecast would suggest that we could be able to catch the sunset transition as well still within the telemetry range. The payload fully tested, we had the launch team picking it up at 6:30 pm local time and set in the ramp by midnight. Weather was favorable so we started inflation and then proceeded towards what Jim described as “a classical launch” with the balloon just above us. Balloon released 2:15 am local time. Lots of clapping hands! It was then time to come back inside and check how each instrument was doing… We lost signal for a moment because the balloon was just above us. Signal recovered and everything working fine. Was then when we saw in our sensors that the payload was actually coming down instead of climbing up. Yes, it came back to the ground in the field just harvest across the road… About 5 minutes of flight – would be ok if this was a rocket but a little too short for a stratospheric balloon.

Well, was the fasted recovery in the MANTRA history! We got the payload back in the hangar in less then about one hour.

What happened? We are still to understand…. So now here we are in the hangar. Scientists are testing their instruments to evaluate the conditions and SIL team is working on evaluate their systems and find clues to understand what went wrong. At this point seems clear that this is not a payload failure but we can not go further than this yet.

Here is [ a plot ] Kaley kindly provided us using information she got from PARIS FTS GPS – thanks Kaley! It shows the balloon altitude.

What next? We need to get a better understand of what went wrong before any decision can be made.




September 13, 2004

We could not launch the main balloon last night - everybody here for pick up of the payload and then it started to rain... New attempt will be made tonight. We have a very good weather forecast so we have high expectations! Overpass with ENVISAT will be reasonable if we launch tonight - thanks Ankie Piters for the plots!

SAOZ BrO with ozonesonde: launch today at 17:02pm (local time).

MSC FTS presented problems this morning - working on it now.




September 11, 2004

Overcast again and rain in the afternoon. No RFI test today….. However, the weather forecast indicates better weather for tomorrow! We have been told that the weather patter we are having now would be expected in November...

All the instruments are now in the payload and SIL is working finishing cables, balancing… RFI test outside tomorrow with the aim of launch the main payload on Monday 2:20 am. Following we will launch the backscatter sonde.

SAOZ BrO is scheduled to be launched Monday afternoon – sunset.

Hopefully we will get good weather – with low winds!




September 9, 2004

It is raining and very cold here in Vanscoy. One hardly believes it is summertime... maybe summertime in Vanscoy is like that? Tropospheric winds are strong.

- SAOZ BrO flight - weather did not permit. Try again tomorrow.
- Helium: coming. This is all we know so far.
- MSC vibration mounting arrived today and the instrument is being mounted in the gondola.
- PARIS FTS: Kaley still working on final arrangements.

Plan is conduct the RFI test tomorrow and then freeze the payload.

Helium and weather are the issues we have.




September 8, 2004

Almost everything is now ready for the new flight. We still need wait for Helium. We know now that it is being transported and shall arrive here on Saturday. MSC FTS waiting for the vibration mounting to arrive today. As soon as we have confirmation that the truck with helium is really nearby part of the people that is now in Toronto will come back for the launch.

Tomorrow we will perform an RFI test and then freeze the payload. The goal is pick up of the payload by the launch team Saturday night and launching Sunday around 1:30 am.

We will be in stand by to launch a smaller balloon with SAOZ BrO and O3 sonde from today on - weather permitting.

Issues:
- Helium
- MSC FTS vibration
- need more liquid nitrogen before the weekend
- personnel




September 5, 2004
By Jim Drummond

No new news - all instruments being worked on and payload reassembled.

Instruments
-----------

Denver-FTS - continued refurbishment and alignment checking

MSC-FTS - back together and being aligned - some issues with suntracker but these seem to be resolved

PARIS - alignment is now much better

OH - on payload

SPS-1 - on payload and aligned

SPS-2 - dome replaced - on payload

MAESTRO - worked on thermal issues - aligned and on payload

Radiometers - OK

AIR - on payload

Pointing - improved thermal control

Top 3 issues

1) Helium
2) Schedule
3) Personnel

For Monday we are doing an "all up" test to ensure that the payload can be got together for flight.




September 4, 2004
By Jim Drummond

Continued efforts to refurbish payload for a second flight. Nearly everything needs to be realigned. Damage to most instruments is fairly light with the exception of the OH instrument that took a moderate "hit".

We now have the second balloon and we are locating the additional helium.

Working on the problems that occurred during the first flight to ensure that they do not recur.

The main issue is that turnaround is upon us and we have limited schedule room. University term is also starting and so some people must go home.

The SAOZ team have departed - thanks to them for their help.

Kaley acquired a really large "flashlight" - actually a "follow spot" - to help with her alignment

Instruments
-----------

Denver-FTS - continued refurbishment and alignment checking

MSC-FTS - back together and being aligned

PARIS - working on alignment as well

OH - being refurbished

SPS-1 - OK - needs calibration and alignment

SPS-2 - smashed the dome - may refly without it

MAESTRO - need to establish why one channel cut out

Radiometers - OK

AIR - need minor refurbishment

Pointing - need to establish why it shut down and how to fix it.

Top 3 issues

1) Helium
2) Schedule
3) Personnel





August 30, 2004

No launch tonight - clouds in the way and mainly high winds. Forecast for tomorrow is promising. We are working now with both possibilities: daytime and nightime launch. With that we broad our chances. We still not missing turnaround.

All the instruments were put in the payload today for final tests tomorrow morning. The pointing system code control was freeze today. At this point there is no more development - we are on flight ready mode. So, we depend on the weather now.

- SAOZ BrO: we will attempt to launch it tomorrow (17:40) as well - if the winds are not too high.

So, wait for the news!




August 29, 2004

We still had issues with the pointing system to solve and the weather for tonight does not seem promising…. What it means? Launch re-schedule for tomorrow night.

Instruments are basically ready to go with DENVER still working on the second detector and PARIS still working with alignment.

A early morning test is schedule for tomorrow – following we will do another all up test.

So, we launch tomorrow night – weather permitting!




August 27, 2004

The weather is cooperating so we had a very successful hanging test this morning – Pointing system is working properly in both solar and limb mode. However, there are still issues with implementation of the limb sequence to be worked out. We are very close to readiness level needed for launching.

All instruments were mounted in the gondola for RFI and EMI tests. The test reveal that we still have issues to be resolved.

DENVER FTIR: one channel working (measures N2O, CH4, HCl,…) and progress made towards get the other channel operational (measures NO, N2O5,…).

PARIS FTS: progress made on alignment of the instrument with the gondola sun tracker - azimuth sun tracker working.

MSC FTS: sun tracker working.

MAESTRO and SPS: still working with testing tables for limb mode.

OH: working on small adjustments.

AIR: still working on issues identified during the RFI and EMI tests.

SAOZ NO2: tested ok – ready to fly.

Launch of the main balloon schedule for Monday (1:00 am) weather permitting - forecast favorable.




August 26, 2004

Pointing system solar elevation testing
PARIS sun tracker integration and alignment
MAESTRO and SPS - alignment finalisation

To do:

close out instrument issues
limb tables verification with MAESTRO and SPS
final hang test
RFI test
magnetometer calibration
launch rehearsal
FLIGHT




August 25, 2004

The sun returns and the forecast for the next few days is good....

Winds are now pretty optimum so we need to be ready soon.

SAOZ instrument has returned

Ozonesonde launch this morning - no GPS so no winds

We have some issues with "loose balloons" - need to demonstrate that our balloons are landing and not drifting every which way. MSC doing sterling work in this area.

Instruments:

PARIS - needs solar alignment - got some work done today, but the clouds got in the way
MSC-FTS - integrated with sun-tracker - needs closeout and mount on payload
DENVER-FTS - One channel is known to be good - the other is still being worked.
AIR -1 & 2 - communications established at 1200 baud although some issues remain
OH - saw some sun - looking good
Radiometers - always perfect!
MAESTRO - started alignment on payload
SPS-1 - started alignment on payload
SPS-2 - ready for integration

Looking for flight readiness from instruments imminently.

Other tasks:

Flight schedule - revised to nearly final form Autoschedule listing completed - needs coding for pointing system Datalogger volume requirements established - current system will handle problem without more flash memory




August 24, 2004

Lots of activities! Today at 2:00 pm we launched an ozonesonde (reached 37 km altitude). Weather improved and the winds went really low, so at 6:01pm we launched the SAOZ BrO (carries another ozonesonde)! It is still on its way up. This flight will provide altitude profiles of BrO, NO2, and ozone.

Although the weather improved, still we did not get reasonable time of sun. Progress has been made towards the flight code for limb mode pointing. Preparation of instruments also progressing. Main issue: we need sun!

Tomorrow the forecast is rain, so still not possible to do the interference test: we need every instrument in the payload and the payload outside.

Ground-based instruments working well. U of T ground-based instrument had problem with its shuttle – fixed.

Now we are monitoring where the SAOZ BrO balloon is!




August 23, 2004

Another raining day…. Basically instruments need sun to be tested and we need to go outside with the payload for final tests – and a dry run!

A mission profile has been put together. Jim wants to revise it on Wednesday.

Ground-based instruments are all working and preliminary results have been posted at the MANTRA webpage. Overpass with ENVISAT is excellent so we expect lots to do in terms of satellite comparisons!

Weather did not allow the BrO flight… We launched an Ozone sonde but the balloon got stacked in between the clouds… We will try to have the BrO flight tomorrow!

From the maps with wind forecast Yves has been sending us we can see that turnaround is really around so we are doing as much as possible to get ready soon! We need SUN!




August 22, 2004

Another rainy day…. Basically instruments need sun to be tested and we need to go outside with the payload for final tests – and a dry run!

A mission profile has been put together. Jim wants to revise it on Wednesday.

Ground-based instruments are all working and preliminary results have been posted at the MANTRA webpage. Overpass with ENVISAT is excellent so we expect lots to do in terms of satellite comparisons!

Weather did not allow the BrO flight… We launched an Ozone sonde but the balloon got stacked in between the clouds… We will try to have the BrO flight tomorrow!

From the maps with wind forecast Yves has been sending us we can see that turnaround is really around so we are doing as much as possible to get ready soon! We need SUN!




August 21, 2004

Cloud covered and raining…. Not so god for instruments tests…

We launched ozone sonde today – winds dropping! Check for pictures of the launch - and also the plot with the results - at MANTRA webpage.

Pointing system: working on limb mode. Discussions with MAESTRO and SPS people in order to define mode of operation.

Denver FTIR: still working on prepare instrument. Need Sun for tests.

MSC FTS: still working on optimizing the sun tracker.

PARIS: still working on software issues. Need Sun for alignment with the payload. Working on tracker for azimuth optimization.

OH instrument: optimizing since time allows.

Radiometers: ready to fly.

MAESTRO: operating inside the freezer making ground-based measurements.

SPS: ready to fly.

AIR: improvements done. Start calibration. Need clear sky conditions for ground-based tests (night time measurements).

Ground-based instruments: all operating fine. Weather conditions have not been so good. The U of T ground-based team plan in doing night-time measurements using the telescope (star tracking mode) but need good weather.

Sunday will be a low level of activity day. From the winds forecast Yves has been providing (ECMWF) look as if we can see signs of turnaround coming!

We all had a very nice evening at Caroline and Ben’s place – thanks Caroline and Ben for the nice BBQ!




August 20, 2004

Sunny day!

Hanging tests today – The team made considerable progress towards optimizing the pointing system control in solar mode: 0.5 degrees in azimuth. There are still things to do for the limb mode. Plan: on this issue tomorrow and then have another hanging test soon.

MSC FTS: still issues with the sun-tracker. Progressing!

Denver FTS: Still working on internal alignment. Was outside for tests this afternoon.

PARIS: still working on software issues and waiting to work on alignment on the payload.

OH instrument: optimizing the instrument while waiting for “all up” test.

Radiometers and SPS: ready to fly.

MAESTRO: operating by the ground inside the freezer. Ready to come back to the payload.

AIR instrument: several units have been prepared - for redundancy. Ben has proposed fly two units instead of only one – still TBD. Progress made today. One unit tested and operating fine and another unit under tests now. Instruments being prepared for taking measurements outside tonight (by the ground).

Ground-based instruments: working fine. Annemarie and Jennifer plan in start work on couple the telescope to the U of T ground-based spectrometer for nighttime measurements.

A BrO flight is being prepared for Monday, Aug 23, afternoon – weather permitting. Ozone sonde will be launched tomorrow.




August 19, 2004
A beautiful day outside! Certainly very good ground-based measurements. Our MANTRA hats arrived today!

Ron launched his first balloon today! So, the ozone profile for August 19, 2004 in Vanscoy has been measured with a sonde launched by Ron – picture attached!

Pointing system: working in issues identified during the last hang test. Another hang test schedule for tomorrow 6:00pm.

Denver FTIR: working all day in alignment the spectrometer.

MSC FTS: the sun-tracker was tested and works! Some more work still needed.

PARIS FTS: working in software issues.

OH instrument: David still working on improvements – no major issues.

MAESTRO and SPS: working by the ground inside the freezer.

AIR: working on issues with the filter wheel. Probably ready to take nighttime measurements by the ground tomorrow.

Radiometers: ready to fly!

We are planning on a BrO flight for Monday providing the winds get weaker. The ECMWF forecast Yves has been providing us with shows indications that the turnaround may be showing its first signs this Saturday – still too uncertain at this moment. We will launch an ozone sonde Saturday.

We all had a dinner by the Saskatchewan river last night – so, from the boat we all could see the sun setting in the clear sky of Saskatoon!




August 18, 2004
Stella taking over daily reports again

Yes, I am back from Toronto!

Today the schedule was to perform a hang test to get the sunrise. Everyone linked to a balloon instrument that needs pointing was required to arrive in the hangar by 5:30 am. This test pointed toward issues with the pointing system still to be solved – working towards it. After lunch instruments were allowed to come out the payload. We still need more hang tests.

- Denver FTS: Still need to perform alignments.
- MSC FTS: Problems with the sun tracker.
- PARIS FTS: Working with alignment with the pointing system issues.
- OH Instrument: stationary since the instrument had to stay in the payload. David took the instrument out the payload this afternoon.
- Radiometers: ready to fly.
- MAESTRO: inside the freezer for ground-based measurements.
- SPS: ready to fly.
- AIR instrument: progress has been made. The instrument is ready for tests by the ground. This is a nighttime instrument and requires clear sky. Weather permitting the instrument will be set up for nighttime measurements.

All the ground-based instruments are operating fine. Brewer and SAOZ data available at the MANTRA web page.

Bob Hum will leave tomorrow – BBC tonight!

Stella




August 17, 2004

Some sun in the morning, then cloudy. It rained and thundered in the afternoon

MSC-FTS completed the build of the sun-tracker and it functions - needs testing and integration

Denver-FTS integrated onto payload

SPS-B2 and OH instrument installed on payload

At this point with the exception of AIR and the MSC sun-tracker, all instruments were on the payload -

Radiometers (2)
Ozonesonde
SPS-B1
SPS-B2
MAESTRO-B
Denver-FTS
MSC-FTS
PARIS
OH instrument

Impressive!

In the afternoon we conducted and "all up" functional test with AIR "perched" on the payload

Can we power up all instruments?
Can we command all instruments?
Can we get data from all instruments?
How much power are we taking?

With the discovery and resolution of a few issues, this test was successful.
The total power draw of the instruments was around 20A
There are a few issues of instrument operation and commanding that need to be worked, but we appear to be in good shape.

The payload was left intact ready for the hanging test on the 18th (Tuesday)

We have a strawman mission profile that we are checking against instrument requirements

The SAOZ team arrived today

Stella and Annemarie arrived safely.

Our top 5 issues at the moment are (in my option):

1) Pointing system testing and performance
2) MSC-FTS sun tracking
3) PARIS alignment
4) AIR readiness
5) OH readiness

PLAN FOR AUGUST 18
Dawn - hanging test
10:00am general meeting
Integrate MSC-FTS suntracker onto instrument for testing

Test pointing system commanding of instruments

Flesh out mission profile
Determine limb scanning sequence for instruments

RFI test has been postponed until more instruments are ready




August 16, 2004

Sun in the morning - clouding up later in the day

PARIS alignment is now complete, but requires final tweaking on the sun

MSC-FTS working on the sun-tracker - progress made but need parts, available on Tuesday

Supertracker now working. UPS to deal with power outages procured - will be installed on Tuesday

Denver-FTS working towards electrical integration on Tuesday

SPS-B1 and MAESTRO installed on payload

Radiometers installed on payload

The hanging test has been postponed from Tuesday to Wednesday

Our top 3 issues at the moment are (in my option):

1) Pointing system testing and performance
2) Denver FTS readiness
3) MSC-FTS sun tracking

PLAN FOR AUGUST 17

10:00am general meeting
Mount all instruments and perform "all up" functional test
ready for hanging test on Tuesday 17 August
Install UPS on ground based instruments where necessary
Stella and Annemarie arrive in the afternoon

PLAN FOR AUGUST 18

Dawn - hanging test
10:00am general meeting

RFI test has been postponed until more instruments are ready

MISCELLANEOUS

Driving Instructions to Vanscoy for those coming in...
0.0km on the trip meter at the intersection of Circle Drive and 22nd Street (HWY 7 & 14
Go west on 22nd Street, bear left to follow HWY 7 west at split between 7 & 14
Pass single radio mast on left at about 17km
At 19.1km on the trip meter - turn right to Wild Rose Road (gravel)
Continue past a small cemetery on the left at about 25km on the trip
Take the next left at 26.5km on the trip
Take the next right at 27.2km on the trip
Continue past the residence (Speed <20km/hr please) and to the hangar area.
Park on the left




August 15, 2004

Rain during the night 14-15 - power outage. Day somewhat cloudy, clearing in the afternoon

Quiet day.

PARIS made progress on the solar pointing alignment - we know how to do it and the adjustments have sufficient range. We need to get together with the pointing system to finalise the alignment

MSC-FTS identified the problem(s) with the sun-tracker. Needs some electronic modifications to make it work. Not a large problem, but we need parts.

Supertracker now working. Need new UPS to deal with power outages

Big mirror constructed to reorient the sun.

Our top 3 issues at the moment are (in my option):

1) Pointing system testing and performance
2) Denver FTS readiness
3) MSC-FTS sun tracking


PLAN FOR AUGUST 16

10:00am general meeting
Pointing system tuning
Mount all instruments ready for hanging test and RFI test on Tuesday 17 August
Install UPS on ground based instruments where necessary

PLAN FOR AUGUST 17

Dawn - hanging test followed by RFI test as possible.
10:00am general meeting

MISCELLANEOUS

Driving Instructions to Vanscoy for those coming in...

0.0km on the trip meter at the intersection of Circle Drive and 22nd Street (HWY 7)
Go west on 22nd Street, bear left to follow HWY 7 west
Pass single radio mast on left at about 17km
At 19.1km on the trip meter - turn right to Wild Rose Road (gravel)
Continue past a small cemetery on the left at about 25km on the trip
Take the next left at 26.5km on the trip
Take the next right at 27.2km on the trip
Continue past the residence (Speed under 20km/hr please) and to the hangar area.
Park on the left




August 14, 2004
Sunshine in the morning - clouded up during the day - thunderstorms in the area in the evening.

Hanging test at dawn:
Weather was good with some cloud which delayed sun visibility at the payload by about 45 minutes
The testing was Moderately successful. Pointed up some issues that needed to be resolved.
The new hole in the roof works great and this test can be repeated without too much stress.
Repeat test set for Tuesday at dawn - weather forecast is good

Pointing system was worked on over the day - good progress made with tuning of parameters

All other instruments also made some progress.

There are no specific activities scheduled for Sunday - most teams will be working independently.

Our top 3 issues at the moment are (in my option):
1) Pointing system testing and performance
2) Denver FTS readiness
3) PARIS sun tracking

PLAN FOR AUGUST 15

Quiet day - instrument teams work as necessary

PLAN FOR AUGUST 16

10:00am general meeting
Pointing system tuning
Mount all instruments ready for hanging test and RFI test on Tuesday 17 August





August 13, 2004
Sunshine all day - again!

PARIS and MSC-FTS doing independent testing all day

Denver-FTS coding continues

SPS and MAESTRO attached to pointing system

Pointing system code review gone over - some small code changes made

Pointing system elevation gain calibrated

Pointing system azimuth gain and offset calibrated

Payload prepared for hang test with crane tomorrow at 6:00am

As of 5:30pm - PARIS, SPS and MAESTRO are in place.

Our top 3 issues at the moment are (in my option):

1) Pointing system testing and performance
2) Denver FTS readiness
3) PARIS sun tracking

PLAN FOR AUGUST 14

Hanging test
10:00am general meeting
Caroline leaves at noon

PLAN FOR AUGUST 15

No formal testing for this day - general progress towards launch
10:00am general meeting (maybe - to be discussed)




August 12, 2004
Prof. James R. Drummond taking over the reporting while Stella is away

Sunshine all day - remember to bring sun-screen if you need it!

Testing the pointing system, PARIS and MSC-FTS - progress made on all three instruments.

MSC-FTS and PARIS seem to be immune to sun tracker operation vibration after some additional isolation for MSC-FTS that might have been to do with the additional mirrors we were using to compensate for the high sun.

Need to set up alignment of all three (pointing, MSC-FTS and PARIS) and this will take some effort. PARIS is currently using the pointing system to provide the sun tracking - the ABB sun tracker has been removed.

Tom, Ben and Jim looked at the schedule and re-organised it in the light of current events with a view to readiness by August 23. No great issues arose. We will perform the first hanging test of the payload in the hanger (which now has a hole in the roof courtesy of Dale and a saw!) on Saturday morning real early - 5:50am sunrise!

Denver FTS is coming along - Pierre thinks that he may be ready for testing by late today.

There will be regular general meetings at 10:00am every morning to review and plan.

Our top 3 issues at the moment are (in my option):

1) Pointing system testing and performance
2) Denver FTS readiness
3) PARIS sun tracking

PLAN FOR AUGUST 13

General progress towards readiness
Payload preparation for hanging test on Saturday
Planning continues

PLAN FOR AUGUST 14

First hanging test




August 10-11, 2004

The sun is back! Jennifer arrived Aug 10 - welcome Jennifer! Jim arrives today - welcome Jim!

All the ground based instruments are all up and running.

MSC FTS: Electrical integration was done today. However the downlink was not tested yet. The instrument was then set up outside and sun spectra were acquired showing that the instrument produced data with excellent quality. After the tests with PARIS sun tracker it was verified that the MSC FTS is indeed very sensitive to vibrations. A concern was raised about possible vibrations induced by the movement of the gondola sun tracker. This afternoon or early in the morning of August 12 the FTS will be mounted back in the gondola and will be tested against possible interferences caused by the movement of the sun tracker.

PARIS: since it has been decided that PARIS sun tracker will not fly, a set of mirrors to provide alignment of PARIS instrument with the sun tracker is being designed. Clive will supervise Anne-Flore on this task and the alignment mirror may be built with support from Aaron. PARIS was electrically integrated including downlink tests.

Denver FTS assembly and tests are progressing as planned. The instrument was outside for tests this morning (Aug 11).

SIL reported that they are having problems in provide simultaneous downlink for the three FTS’s. A decision was then made to go back to the strategy used during last flight: Denver FTS will have on time downlink and MSC FTS and PARIS will share downlink after occultation with one instrument proceeding at a time. A strategy for how much time each instrument will use is still to be defined.

SPS-B2 and the two radiometers were integrated yesterday and both instruments are ready to fly. Today (Aug 11) integration will proceed with OH instrument, MAESTRO, and AIR planned to be integrated.

The freezer and the super-truck are ready for use and the plan is to install MAESTRO and SPS-ground inside the freezer to be operating throughout the night and acquire data during sunset today and sunrise tomorrow.

Another ozone sonde was launched successfully today at 10:00 am! Check for ozone results at MANTR web page!




August 6, 2004

Another day of clear sky!

Highlight of the day: we have the four main ground-based already operating: Brewer, SAOZ ground-based, U of T ground-based DOAS spectrometer, and York U AOTF. From the Brewer, the ozone was 312 DU today at 10:am. The ozone at Vanscoy as measured by the Brewer will be posted at MANTRA 2004 web site each day. A plot of the ozone values for each day will also be included, so one can see if any change happens. Thanks to Jonathan and Gustavo – Jonathan provides the ozone values and Gustavo created and will update the web regularly. Check it out!

Denver FTS arrived at Vanscoy today. Pierre expended the day unpacking and setting it up. The sun tracker is already assembled. It was also checked if there is any interference of the frame of the gondola on the instrument field of view – none! So far no damage on the instrument during the shipment was identified.

MSC FTS: Debra, Clive and Anne-Flore worked today on the alignment of the sun tracker. This system is composed basically of two pieces that individually are working fine. What is needed now is put them together. The team is also working on the uplink and downlink software based on new information provided today by SIL. So far everything is working as planned.

PARIS FTS: Electrical integration of PARIS (at the level that should be done in Toronto) went successfully this afternoon. Communications on the command uplink and houskeeping downlink were tested first with a laptop and then with the on-board computer.  Then, a full test using the CIP to turn on and off all of the PARIS components (on-board computer, PARIS and sun-tracker), send commands and monitor housekeeping was completed.  Two parts of the communications remain to be tested.  The data downlink is not yet completed and the housekeeping downlink was tested at 4800 baud and this will be changed to 9600 baud.

SPS balloon: communication with the pointing system was tested today with one of the balloon SPS – as scheduled – and everything is working properly. The other SPS will be open tomorrow for cleaning and maintenance. This was expected since this second SPS was only received by the MANTRA team when we arrived here in Vanscoy this Tuesday.

The freezer for the ground-based SPS and MAESTRO was assembled today. The sun-tracker control software presented major problems. The team is currently working on that.

Jim has revised the code for the solar mode control of the pointing system and has reported:

“I've now got through most of the pointing code.  The pieces I haven't yet done are those relating to the Kalman Cloud filter. I'll get to those, but this has been a major undertaking.

Although I obviously haven't found absolutely everything, I do have about 100 pages of notes on the code operation.

The major issues that came out are:

1) A small number of minor Labview errors which probably don't amount to much
2) Some stylistic differences between how I would do it and how it was done
3) Some things that should be commented out for flight - obviously some test code, etc.  There is a dialog box option in one case I found.
4) A fairly large number of non-linear formulas in the control loops and a feeling of inconsistency about the way in which the motor demands are generated.  There are several versions of each of the azimuth and elevation demand generation VIs used in different modes.  Surely there is a "best method" that should work for everything?

My main worry for operations is about the non-linear formulas and whether they work in all circumstances since they are "hard-wired" into the code and not adjustable from the ground.  There were a couple of cases where I wondered whether the motor could actually turn off at a sufficiently large error - ie not recover - it's hard to sort things out by just looking at the code.”

The solar mode software was tested yesterday and seems to be working fine. More tests will be done when Jim arrives here in Vanscoy on August 11.

The web page has been updated! Check it out and please send us any comments you may have!



August 5, 2004

The weather has been really nice here in Vanscoy with clear sky most of the time!

We had a team meeting today at 4:00 pm where we could evaluate how things are going. We are moving well towards getting ready to fly.

- Internet is set up. We have both wire and wireless connection working fine in the building and also in the trailer.

- The gondola was hanged today and the pointing system was mounted in the gondola. The solar mode was tested successfully!

- Pointing system has been tested – solar mode – and is performing well. Jim Drummond has been reviewing the pointing system code (solar mode) and his hope is to complete that today “(maybe wishful thinking!) - hopefully that will clear the way towards being confident that it will work flawleesly”. Great!

- MSC FTS acquired the first solar spectrum today! The work with this instrument is progressing as expected.

- PARIS FTS has been unpacked and assembled. It has been verified that all the parts arrived well and are working as expected. The PARIS team is getting ready to perform electrical integration (the work that should be done in Toronto and had to be postponed to Vanscoy) tomorrow. Mechanical integration will only be possible after DENVER FTS arrives and is set up in the gondola and MSC FTS is ready to go to the gondola.

- DENVER FTS: A letter from the Canadian Government was send to clear Costumers and the boxes with the instruments (and accessories) are now on their way to Vanscoy. They are expected to arrive tomorrow!

- OH instrument: David is working on software issues as planned. As it is now OH instrument should be integrated easily.

- SPS balloon: There are two SPSs being prepared. One of then was only received by the MANTRA team recently. The signal of this second instrument seems to be below the level expected. The instrument will be dismounted and the optics will be cleaned tomorrow. The other instrument is basically ready to fly. Tests needed are lamp calibration to be done tomorrow when the dark room will be ready, and communication with the pointing system. This second test is schedule to start tomorrow.

- MAESTRO: Caroline is working in training Tobias to be able to operate MAESTRO. She will leave the field before launch and Tobias will be the main responsible for MAESTRO with input from Clive whenever needed. This task is progressing well. The instrument is in good shape and was set up outside today for optimization of the gain parameter for flight. The test of communication with pointing system will be done following SPS tests. Small software modifications, as well as upload control code, still need to be done by David Barton. David believes that this task can be finished tomorrow or Saturday the later.

- Ground based instruments: set up of ground based instruments started August 3 afternoon when the team arrived in Vanscoy. SAOZ was the first instrument to be ready and acquiring data.

- Brewer is set up in the roof and acquiring data!

- SAOZ: We observed problems with the spectra acquired shown in the computer screen. Basically the shape was different and the signal level negative or too low. Florence was contacted today by phone and by e-mail. Among the possible causes of the problem was failure of the shuttle in open for data acquisition. Florence instructed us to manually open the shuttle and run some tests. Annemarie performed the tests and we concluded that indeed the shuttle was closed all the time, so what was shown in the screen was the ratio of dark current spectra. As of this afternoon, after the meeting, the shuttle seems to be working normally now and the spectra acquired seems reasonable.

- SPS ground: was set up today outside by the other ground-based instruments and is acquiring data.

- AOTF: Set up outside beside the trailer and acquiring data.

- During Eureka campaign last spring it was observed that both MAESTRO and SPS-ground work better when operating at low temperatures. A freezer has then been adapted to accommodate both instruments. Windows have been installed and now remains install the cables. The mounting of the freezer is about to be completed – probably ready by tomorrow or Saturday the latest.

- MSC is refurbishing an existing NO2 spectrometer with a sun tracker able to measure diurnal variation of this specie. This instrument is not currently part of the payload and is planned to fly only if space is available and mass of the payload is not impacted. Mainly, this instrument would fly in case of failure of any other instrument already schedule to fly. The preparation of this instrument requires still considerable amount of work. David Barton is the main person doing this work with support from Aaron and Bob Hall. This work will receive priority lower than the flight instruments.

- AIR instrument: Neither David Tarasick or Ben Quine have arrived in Vanscoy yet, so work with this instrument has not started yet.

Thanks to everyone’s effort the work atmosphere here in Vanscoy has been enjoyable! Following is a picture I took from the back of the building today.





August 4, 2004

Work in the field proceed. Today we continue working on set up of the ground-based instruments and in prepare the balloon instruments for integration to happens next week.

- Pierre Fogal (Denver) arrived this afternoon. However, Denver FTS did not arrived yet. Dale (SIL) and Pierre are working on this subject so we may now more about it tomorrow.

- Debra, Clive, and Anne-Flore are working on preparation of MSC FTS - progressing well.

- PARIS assemble and pre-tests progressing well.

- SAOZ instrument operating but we have some concerns about the data that has been acquired... We believe that may be only our interpretation that may be confused - Florence has been contacted.

- MSC OH instrument: Dale working on this - progressing well.

- Ozone sondes: Jonathan working on have it all organized. Launches to begin next week. We shall start soon receive winds forecast (ECMWF) from Yves.

- MAESTRO: Caroline and Tobias working on this instrument with support from Clive when needed.

- Ground-based spectrometer: Annemarie mounted the loaner CCD. Today the liquid nitrogen arrived so the detector could be assemble and made operational. Tests continue tomorrow. Stephen worked full day today on the AOTF - progressing well. Chuan and Hongjiang are preparing the SPSs. Brewer being prepared.

- Internet: Gustavo still working on this subject. Some of the computers already have assess to internet. A wireless router will be assembled tomorrow. Once this is all sorted out Gustavo will work on MANTRA web page and on the set up of the two web cameras - we will post daily pictures/reports. We are taking lots of pictures!

- MSC people has giving a great support!

The weather in Vanscoy today was very nice with temperatures around 25 C, strong winds. Forecast for tomorrow is possibility of rain. Then, it will get worm again!

So, we are moving well! We are arranging for having MANTRA hats this year - Dale (SIL) is helping on this issue.





August 3, 2004

Part of the MANTRA team just arrived today in Vanscoy. Stephen was here with the truck and all the instruments! Thanks a lot Stephen (and his wife) for doing that! Everything arrived fine!

We did some unpacking, began working with some instruments, began setting up the computers...

Good news: SAOZ ground-based instrument is set up and working fine - acquiring data - thanks Annemarie and thanks Florence for the nice and clear instructions! Despite of the mosquitoes was nice and easy to set SAOZ up outside. So, the campaign begun!



 

Maintained by: Kimberly Strong