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Atmospheric Composition

The Atmospheric Composition Virtual Constellation (AC-VC) goal is to collect and deliver data to improve monitoring, assessment, and predictive capabilities for changes in the ozone layer, air quality, and climate forcing associated with changes in the environment through coordination of existing and future international space assets.

Documents

Monitoring Surface PM2.5: An International Constellation Approach to Enhancing the Role of Satellite Observations

This white paper aims at strengthening the role of satellites in observing near-surface concentrations of particulate matter (PM). Exposure to particulate pollution in ambient air is a severe burden to public health worldwide. Satellite observations have a strong potential to improve the monitoring and forecasting of PM pollution, which can be achieved by combining satellite data with ground-based measurements and information from atmospheric chemistry and transport models. At present, satellite observations are not yet optimally exploited for this purpose. The present white paper identifies steps toward creating and improving satellite-informed particulate pollution products.

White Paper: Geostationary Satellite Constellation for Observing Global Air Quality: Geophysical Validation Needs

This whitepaper elaborates the validation needs and inter-mission consistency targets of the Geo-AQ constellation. This constellation consists of the geostationary atmospheric composition missions GEMS, Sentinel-4, and TEMPO, which provide hourly observations of key air pollutants, and is complemented by low Earth orbiting missions with a strong focus on air quality. Recommendations are made for activities that are needed to address new challenges associated with the geostationary perspective, to assess and establish the consistency of data products, and to enhance the impact of the individual missions as elements of a constellation.

A Constellation Architecture For Monitoring Carbon Dioxide And Methane From Space

This white paper defines a global architecture for monitoring atmospheric CO2 and CH4 concentrations and their natural and anthropogenic fluxes from space to (i) reduce uncertainty of national emission inventory reporting, identify additional emission reduction opportunities and provide nations with timely and quantified guidance on progress towards their emission reduction strategies and pledges; and (ii) track changes in the natural carbon cycle caused by human activities and climate variations.

A Geostationary Satellite Constellation for Observing Global Air Quality: An International Path Forward (2011)

There are currently three missions in development that make observations relevant to our understanding of air quality and climate change from geostationary orbits. This white paper outlines our recommendations, developed in consultation with the broader air quality research community, on how to facilitate cross-agency collaboration and maximize the benefits of these observations to the research and applications communities.

Contact Us

Please feel free to contact the AC-VC Co-Chairs for more information:

You may also contact AC-VC Topical Leads:

  • Greenhouse Gas Lead: John Worden (NASA-Jet Propulsion Laboratory, USA)
  • Ozone Lead: Diego Loyola (German Aerospace Center, DLR)
  • AC-VC Aerosol Air Quality Lead: Shobha Kondragunta (National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, USA)

Upcoming Meetings

  • AC-VC-21 : June 9th - 13th, 2025 | Takamatsu, Japan

Recent Meetings