1. NASA ACE-RadEx Olympex Collaboration
Jay Mace
Roger Marchand, Tristan L’Ecuyer, Matt Lebsock, Derek Posselt, Joe Munchak, Simone Tanelli, Gerry Heymsfield, Joe Turk, Zhuocan Xu, Adrian Loftus, Tim Lang

2. A Step Towards a Solution: Integrated multi-platform observing systems – The A-Train
NASA A-Train
ACE was conceived by the 2007 Decadal Survey as the follow-on to the A-Train..

3. ACE Algorithm Development Activities
Goal: Explore the trade space defined by science objectives, technology, and instrument suite complexity – achieve baseline science goals for minimum cost.
Presently, ACE-like data sets or retrieval algorithms don’t exist. It is therefore difficult to demonstrate capability or explore trade space.
The RADar Definition Experiment (RADEX) was conceived to develop super-ACE remote sensing data sets supported by in situ validation.
1) Demonstrate the capability of super synergy for simultaneously characterizing cloud and precipitation microphysical processes. 2) Characterize the instruments needed to achieve basic science goals.
GPM validation activities presented a significant opportunity to leverage assets
IPHEX in Spring Target warm shallow marine clouds.
Olympex, Contributed ER2 with super ACE package (CRS, HiWrap – triple freq Doppler radars, AMPR, HSRL, eMAS, Polarimeter).

4. superpod, (unpressurized aft)
ER-2 Payload for RADEX - OLYMPEX
eMAS
VIS-IR imager
(not hyperspectral)
EXRAD
(X-band radar)
AirMSPI
(VIS-SWIR
multiangle
imaginging
polarimeter)
nose
superpod
Q-bay
superpod, (unpressurized aft)
CPL
Lidar Backscatter
AMPR
Passive Microwave
~ GHz
Assumptions:
Move of CRS from right superpod to left superpod and consolidate a few boxes.
HIWRAP
Ka/Ku- band radar
CRS
W-band radar
GMI

5. Summary of ER-2 flights :
Most Coordinated with DC-8 (additional Microwave and Scanning Radar) and/or Citation (in situ cloud microphysics).
DC8 coordination when attempted was very tight with nearly continuous simultaneous sampling
Working with the GPM GV team/UW team was a very positive experience.
Target Assessment
Overall very positive on the breadth of the sampling
heavy sampling of warm conveyor belt (ice phase processes)
Limited prefrontal conditions were sampled.
Only a few examples of embedded frontal convection
Post frontal convection was sampled well on 4 flights but particularly well on two flights.
… next few slides highlight a few cases/datasets

6. Highlights: 11/23 Advancing Frontal Rain bands
ER2 and DC8 conducted a coordinated flight in an advancing frontal band offshore of the Olympic Peninsula. SW-NE oriented race tracks that were entirely offshore were conducted initially followed by a NW-SE oriented racetrack that had NPOL on SE end.
Citation conducted two flights. Early flight was conducted under the NE end of the early race tracks. Second flight was near the SE end of the later racetrack.
DC8 and ER2 Racetracks
Advancing Frontal Rainbands
Citation Spiral

7. Highlights: 12/04 Cold Air Cumulus

8. Highlights: 12/04 Cold Air Cumulus

9. Ongoing RADEX Research:
L’Ecuyer: analyzing the HIWRAP + CRS data from both RADEX deployments with an eye toward defining sensitivity, vertical, and spatial resolution requirements
Lebsock/Leinonen/Storer: Exploring 3-frequency snowfall retrievals and footprint deconvolution techniques
Munchak: Multi instrument, multi-platform inverse and forward modeling during OLYMPEX/RADEX
Posselt/Mace/Xu: Applying Markov Chain Monte Carlo techniques to retrieval algorithm development to explore instrument/science trade space in ACE-like data sets
Marchand: Using high resolution Polarimeter and imager data to define potential for next generation cloud and aerosol interaction studies.