KNMI Climate Observations

Climate Observations

Future Mission Studies: ACE

ACE study (2000-2001), conducted as an assessment study for the Candidate Earth Explorer Core Mission "ACECHEM" (Atmospheric Composition Explorer for CHEMistry and climate interaction).

ESA CONTRACT NO: ESA/ESTEC Contract No. 13048/98/NL/GD

CITATION:
Kerridge, B.J. et al., 2001: Definition of Mission Objectives and Observational Requirements for an Atmospheric Chemistry Earth Explorer Mission, ESA/ESTEC Contract No. 13048/98/NL/GD, Final Report.

OBJECTIVES:
The objectives were, firstly, to define mission objectives and observational requirements for a mission commencing in 2008 and, secondly, to assess systematically the observational capabilities with which to address these requirements.

TIMELINE:

June 2000: A call for 'Earth Explorer Core missions' was released by ESA. More information: Overview of ESA Earth Explorers .
Autumn 2000: 5 mission proposals were selected for further investigation in the assessment round. Among them was the ACECHEM (Atmospheric Composition Explorer for CHEMistry and climate interaction) mission, which was proposed by a consortium of thirteen European institutes, led by RAL. More information .
A "Scientific Preparatory Group" (SPG) led by ESA, with among others H. Kelder as member and M. van Weele as contribution scientist, investigated further the scientific merit of this mission.
In support of the scientific assessment, a consortium led by RAL conducted the "ACE" (Atmospheric Chemistry Explorer) study.
30+31 October 2001: all Assessment Reports have been presented on the "Earth Explorer User Consultation Meeting" in Granada, Spain. Three missions have been selected for the "Feasibility Study" phase, but ACECHEM was not selected. More information on the Earth Explorer User Consultation Granada Meeting here and here.
In the end, the Earth Clouds Aerosols and Radiation Explorer (EarthCARE) proposal accepted as the Core mission of this selection round. It is currently due for launch in 2015.