Mission: Cloud IOP cirrus mission.
Mission Objectives
Coordinate ER-2 with Cloud IOP Learjet making measurements of single layer cirrus clouds at SGP CART site. Underfly Terra (1752 UTC).
Flight Summary
Take-off was at 1543 UTC. ER-2 landed at 2052 UTC.
ER-2 flew from MSN to Oklahoma CART site, aligning parallel (20 degrees off-nadir) to Terra suborbital track on a line running 14 deg heading (37 deg 26'N, 97 deg 14.8'W to 35 deg 47'N, 97 deg 45'W) with Central Facility in the center. Much cirrus present at Northern half of this line (both up and back segment). Some mid level water cloud (cellular) reported as well. The ER-2 then flew up and down cirrus level wind (235 heading) on a 110km line with the CF located about 25km from the eastern end (36deg 42'N, 97deg 20'W to 36deg 07'N, 98deg 22'W). Variant sky cover during these runs, from clear to water cloud with very thin cirrus above. From CLS lidar data, it appeared that cirrus particles had seeded water cloud development below. Two complete cycles flown (four overpasses of CF). Broke off pattern at 1910 UTC to return to Madison after cirrus began to fall apart. Mid level water cloud was observed during the flight by the ground based instruments.
Learjet flew short (~25km) legs attempting to sample cirrus. ATC prevented them from getting much of the data they wished to obtain. Reportedly they were sampling cloud at 1900 UTC.
Highlights
Coincident Terra/ER-2 data at 1752 UTC (20 deg view angle) about 15nm south of CF. Coincident ER-2 and Learjet measurements. CLS data suggests that ice particles from the cirrus was seeding the development of water cloud below.
Instrument Status