Earth Observation is the use of satellite instruments to image our planet. TNO has a long legacy in developing instruments that monitor our planet’s atmosphere and allow us to mitigate the harmful impact of greenhouse gases and air pollution. In addition to this, we work on systems that monitor land and water and the calibration of a wider range of optical satellite instruments.
TNO develops optical instruments for earth observation that provide global, independent measurements of air quality and greenhouse gases. Over the past 20 years, we have developed and realised optical systems that lie at the heart of well-known instruments used by international space agencies, such as GOME (ESA), SCIAMACHY (ESA/ ENVISAT) and OMI (NASA Aura). The most recent example of this is TROPOMI (NSO/ ESA). This instrument became operational in 2017 and provides daily global measurements at a unique, Spectrometer for earth observation high spatial resolution of 3.5 x 5 km2. TNO is currently involved in the development of the ESA/EC Sentinel 5. Utilising data from instruments such as TROPOMI, policymakers and industry can be provided with actionable information on emission reductions. In addition to this, TNO utilises its strong experience and technological position to design earth observation instruments and systems for monitoring water and land. A recent trend in earth observation is the increasing use of miniaturised instruments on small satellites, for which TNO offers innovative solutions.
Scientific interests
- Satellite instrument calibration
- spectrometers, hyperspectral imagers, diffusers
- instrument degradation
Expertise:
- TNO has the knowledge and facilities to calibrate optical instruments for earth observation. Calibration data are used to convert the measurements in instrumental units to SI traceable units that are independent of the instrument and allow quantitative comparison with other instruments, and allow further processing to geophysical parameters, e.g. greenhouse gas and pollution concentrations.
Models and equipment:
- ARCF
- Space instrument calibration facilities
- Design tools
