Zeppelin NT, a new Platform for Atmospheric Studies in the Planetary Boundary Layer

Frank Holland, FZJ

3rd COPS and GOP Workshop

Univ. Hohenheim, 10-11 April 2006

Zeppelin NT – airship characteristics

• Engine-driven, near-equilibrium, steerable aircraft- High manoeuvrability due to swivelling engines

• Consists of a rigid framework - support of cabin, engines and exp. platforms

• Permission for instrumental flight- Night time and cloud missions are possible

• Takeoff and landing requirements- airfield of 300m diameter + 3 ground people

Zeppelin NT – performance data

• Scientific payload up to 1000 kg (easily interchangeable)

• Flight speed 0 – 115 km/h• Operating altitude: 20 – 2600 m • Range: 1100 km• Available electrical power: 6 kW (28 VDC)

Zeppelin NT – mission characteristics

• Fast measurements of vertical profiles- Sink / climb rate of up to 5-6 m/s

• Measurements of locally limited phenomena - Hover permanently over a fixed position

• Measurements along Lagrange trajectories- Drift with the surrounding air mass

• Long-term measurements- Flight endurance up to 20h

LIF

HOx MeasurementUV-Vis Actinic Flux Measurement

Top Platform

Meteorological Boom

Suspended Payload

MAX DOAS

Bow Platform

LIF

HOx MeasurementUV-Vis Actinic Flux Measurement

Top Platform

Meteorological Boom

Suspended Payload

MAX DOAS

Bow Platform

Zeppelin NT – experimental platforms

Time line of Zeppelin project

• 2004-07: Zeppelin Workshop in Jülich• 2006-01: Final version of Zeppelin white paper• 2006-03: Top-platform ordered• 2006-05: Discussion with Zeppelin on additional

electrical power supply, cabin layout, and campaign in 2007.

• Winter 2006/07: Integration of top-platform• 2007-04: Test flights • 2007-07/08: Participation in COPS-TRACKS

field campaign.

User community • Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe• Universität Heidelberg• Universität zu Köln• Univ. of Leicester, UK• University of Manchester, UK• MPI für Chemie, Mainz• Paul-Scherrer Institute, Villingen, Switzerland• Institut für Troposphärenforschung, Leipzig• Energy Research Centre, Petten, Netherlands

Aims for field campaign in 2007• Investigate gas-phase oxidation processes

involving free radicals that directly affect the abundances of reactive gases.

• Study processes that form aerosols either directly or indirectly f. gaseous precursors.

• Explore transport processes that distribute emissions and secondary oxidation pro-ducts by advection and turbulent diffusion.

• We are open for requests from the COPS community.

Offer of Zeppelin for field campaign

• Charter of the Zeppelin NT for a 3-week period in summer 2007 including 135 flight-hours for 495 T€.

• Decision on 3-week period until 2006-06-30.

• The Zeppelin will be based in Friedrichs-hafen.

Questions?