LTU researcher part in French / Indian satellite project
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 four satellites was launched from Indian Sriharikota, of which the one-ton Megha-Tropiques, with implications for climate research, was placed in its path. The researcher Mathias Milz at Luleå University of Technology space research in Kiruna is part of an international team of researchers who will be using data from the satellite.
- At the beginning of next year, the satellite is to begin to provide data on water vapor and clouds in the atmosphere and by studying and observing the water vapor distribution and variability over the tropical regions one can have a better understanding of the hydrological cycle in the tropics and its impact on climate. It can be used to improve climate models, which are important components of climate research, said LTU researcher Mathias Milz.
A rocket PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) was launched carrying four satellites on Wednesday from the Satish Dhavan Space Centre in Sriharikota India. One of these four was the Megha-Tropiques, a satellite built in a French / Indian research collaboration. It has now been placed in 20-degree angle to the equator on its orbit above the tropics. By Megha-Tropiques it is possible to study condensed water in clouds, water vapor in the atmosphere, precipitation and evaporation. It is considered a unique satellite for climate research, which will help researchers to improve their knowledge of processes in the tropics, climate models and weather forecasts. LTU researcher Mathias Milz has applied to receive data from the satellite and including studying water vapor.
- Water vapor is the main greenhouse gas, and it involves the study of water vapor and energy exchange in tropical areas and use that information in different climate models, says Mathias Milz.
The research generated by the satellite Megha-Trophiques will be part of a multinational project "Global Precipitation Measurement Mission" to form a constellation of satellites to measure the rainfalls in the tropics, where half the world's population lives.
