Estimation of potential abilities of middle atmosphere density measurements from a near-Earth orbit within the UV wavelength range

Abstract

Analysis of errors in atmospheric density measurements by lidar on board the ISS is performed. It is shown that using as the lidar transmitter a Nd:YAG laser with moderate parameters of emission at a wavelength of 353 nm and a receiving mirror diameter of 0.4 m, it is possible to cover with a 10% measurement error a height range, on average, from 40–60 km and 30–40 km in the nighttime and daytime, respectively, down to the troposphere. Working with emission at 266 nm with a 10% error, it is possible to move to the heights of the mesosphere (70 km) and penetrate the atmosphere down to a height of 40 km. Thus, the use of two harmonics makes it possible to assimilate the height range of atmospheric density measurements from on board the ISS beginning from 70 km and down to the troposphere.