AirCore Reusable InSitu Sampler for CO2 and Trace Gas Measurements

A novel design for an in situ air sampling sensor for CO2 and trace gases is proposed. The sensor, named AirCore, provides the advantages of existing in situ sensors (e.g. high resolution) but eliminates possible biases in analysis that often originate from imperfect measurement condition. The AirCore provides a significant savings in cost and weight while increasing the capabilities of existing in situ sensors. The AirCore system consists of the AirCore gas sampler and the support system to accomplish its high altitude (nominally 70,000+ ft.) mission. This support system includes the sensor launch and recovery components. The AirCore can be launched and recovered by a limited crew, which reduces the operational cost of the system.

The proposed sensor can be used to provide "ground truth" information for several NASA initiatives on measurements of greenhouse and related gases in the atmosphere, including OCO2/ASCENDS, AURA/TES, and the TCCON sites. We propose to develop an AirCore sensor which will be hoisted aloft on a helium weather balloon to a nominal altitude of 70,000 ft. When the balloon reaches its target altitude, the payload (glider UAV plus AirCore sampler) will be released. The UAV (known as the Retriever) will then follow a prescribed spiraling descent path during which time the AirCore sampler will collect a continuous atmospheric sample. Upon UAV recovery, the AirCore sample will be analyzed.

The sampler methodology can be used for air quality monitoring over cities, industrial and agricultural sites. The UAV can be used for high altitude communication relays (traditional radio and cell), weather parameter monitoring, aerial photography, cloud seeding, etc.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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