Latest Results from the Preparatory Studies for PREMIER
van Weele, Michiel¹; Kerridge, Brian²; Hegglin, Michaela³; McConnell, Jack⁴; Murtagh, Donal⁵; Orphal, Johannes⁶; Peuch, Vincent-Henri⁷; Riese, Martin⁸; Langen, Joerg^9
1KNMI, NETHERLANDS; ²RAL, UNITED KINGDOM; ³U. of reading, UNITED KINGDOM; ⁴U. of York, CANADA; ⁵Chalmers University, SWEDEN; ⁶KIT, GERMANY; ⁷ECMWF, UNITED KINGDOM; ⁸FZ Juelich, GERMANY; ⁹ESA/ESTEC, NETHERLANDS

A number of preparatory activities and scientific projects are undertaken to support the PREMIER (PRocess Exploration through Measurements of Infrared and millimetre-wave Emitted Radiation) mission for becoming the ESA's 7th Earth Explorer. The mission aims to quantify processes controlling global atmospheric composition in the mid-troposphere to lower stratosphere (5 - 25 km), a region of particular sensitivity for surface climate, by resolving 3-D structures in atmospheric constituents and temperature on finer scales than have previously been accessible from space. In addition, through combination with co-located observations by MetOp(-SG) the mission aims to quantify links with surface emissions and air pollution. To achieve these aims, PREMIER comprises a limb imaging IR spectrometer and a millimetre-wave limb sounder flying in formation with MetOp(-SG).

Key preparatory activities in the last year include simulations with state-of-the-art schemes to refine sensor specifications and to demonstrate retrieval performance for individual profiles and detailed structure associated with phenomena such as the Asian monsoon circulation, pyroconvective and volcanic plumes and exchange processes between the troposphere and stratosphere. They also include studies to quantify the impact of the retrieved PREMIER data in scientific exploitation studies and assimilation into operational systems and field campaigns of airborne precursors to demonstrate the new observing capabilities.

This paper will report on the latest results from these preparatory activities, focusing principally on the study to refine the observational requirements and to demonstrate mission performance through forward modelling and state-of-the-art retrieval simulations.