MERLIN laser transmitter for space borne methane sensing

Springer Link (Chiba Institute of Technology)

Abstract

MERLIN (Methane remote sensing LIDAR mission) is a joint DLR/CNES mission, which will measure column densities of methane in the earth's atmosphere. The heart of the instrument is the laser transmitter subsystem, developed and built by Airbus (Ottobrunn, Germany) in cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology (Aachen, Germany), being in charge of the laser's optomechanical assembly. The project is currently in Phase D. In this paper we would like to give an overview of the current status of assembly, integration and testing activities.

Authors 6

1. Jana Ammersbach Aachen Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT

   Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   ( ) Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT , Steinbachstrasse 15 , 52074 Aachen , Germany,

2. Bastian Gronloh Aachen Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT

   Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   ( ) Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT , Steinbachstrasse 15 , 52074 Aachen , Germany,

3. Tristan Heider Aachen Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT

   Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   ( ) Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT , Steinbachstrasse 15 , 52074 Aachen , Germany,

4. Jörg Luttmann Aachen Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT

   Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   ( ) Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT , Steinbachstrasse 15 , 52074 Aachen , Germany,

5. Melina Reiter Aachen Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT

   Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   ( ) Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT , Steinbachstrasse 15 , 52074 Aachen , Germany,

6. Hans-Dieter Hoffmann Aachen Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT

   Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   ( ) Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT , Steinbachstrasse 15 , 52074 Aachen , Germany,