Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Development of the Polar Observing Balloon Airship “Vortex Chaser” as an Application of the Stratospheric Platform  (Vortex Chaser)

Outline
Observational studies, analysis, and understanding of atmospheric and surface processed in the Arctic are the key problem for the development of the state-of-the-art climate system model. To advance the comprehensive observational system, a new project representing the 21 century will be desired with the target year of International Polar Year (IPY). The proposed project is to apply the advanced modern technique of the balloon airship of Stratospheric Platform and Balloon Robot for the continuous monitoring of the Arctic in parallel with satellite or airplane observation. In the upper troposphere to the stratosphere, a pronounced polar vortex reside almost all time with a maximum wind speed of 100 m/s along the polar jet stream. Nevertheless, the centre of the polar vortex is moderately calm with a lot of sunshine due to the gentle descending motion. Using this environment, we propose to put a huge balloon airship with wide solar panels into the centre of the polar vortex. The electric power is stored in the airborne fuel battery of hydrogen which provide sufficient power to chase the core of the polar vortex. Under the midnight sun from March to September, the balloon airship is supplied by plenty of solar energy, keep chasing the centre of polar vortex, and providing important observations over the wade area of the Arctic environment. Since the balloon airship keeps chasing the polar vortex, we may call it “Vortex Chaser”. Coupled with an accurate numerical weather prediction model data, the Vortex Chaser can move any location in the Arctic, can avoid violent weather, and can accomplish safe landing at the control sites for repeated flights. The proposed project of the Vortex Chaser would be the state-of-the-art monitoring system in the 21 Century over the Arctic, which should be a suitable core dream project of the IPY.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The significance of the proposed project is to apply the advanced modern technique of the balloon airship of Stratospheric Platform and/or Balloon Robot for the continuous monitoring of the Arctic in parallel with satellite or airplane observation and the mandatory meteorological upper air observations. This is a new attempt to monitor the Arctic environment for 24 hours a day by the well controlled balloon airship. An animation of sea ice movement will be possible from airborne observation, vertical profiles of temperature, trace gasses, aerosols will be observed24 hours a day, 3-D distribution of the meteorological variables will be obtainable by the combination with the state-of-the-art 4-D assimilation technology. Those data from the balloon airship will enhance the Arctic database for weather and climate study.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The proposal will be conducted under the international collaboration between the US and Japan. International Arctic Research Center (IARC) in the US will be the counter part of the University of Tsukuba Japan. The CAMP project in US and JAMP project in Japan will collaborate with each other.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The target area of the observation from the balloon airship will be entire Arctic. We plan to establish the control center at the IARC/UAF, and set the launching site at the Barrow Alaska USA.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: Mar/2006 – Sep/2006      Mar/2007 – Sep/2007      Mar/2008 – Sep/2008
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
We need the support of the IARC to develop, launch, and operate the balloon airship. The launching site will be at Barrow, and the operation facilities will be established at the IARC/UAF. Japan has an experience to develop the Stratospheric Platform. Although the development is still in progress, we consider a balloon airship which is smaller than the Stratospheric Platform.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
When the project has finished successfully during the IPY, the facility will remain at the IARC, and continuous operation is strongly desired for the subsequent decades. The number of the balloon airship can be increased from one to few tens to cover the entire Arctic instantaneously in the future.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Consortium
Own national polar operator
Another national polar operator
National agency
Own support
Other sources of support

Once the project becomes operational, it should be operated by national polar agency, such as NASA, NOAA, and JAXA under the leadership of IARC.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The project is endorsed by the Japanese Committee of the IPY4 leaded by Dr. Fujii. The project is under consideration by the GCCA University Consortium in Japan and IARC. (Global Change: Connection to the Arctic)

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
It is a new project, which is not considered anywhere. The idea is new, technically possible, and the product will be excellent providing continuous weather and climate data if it really becomes operational.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project is described as a part of the research fund proposed to the Ministry of Education and Science and Technology in Japan represented by the PI from the group of the GCCA University Consortium. When the project is funded, the Steering Committee will be formed to conduct the project.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Since the project is new and very attractive as the modern technology, the brochures will be distributed to inform the project to get the public support.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
The PI is affiliated at the Center for the Computational Science, University of Tsukuba, which has a sufficient hard and software to maintain the data.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The PI is proposing above 3 million US dollars fund to the Ministry of Education and Science and Technology for the special international collaboration with specific target of the IPY 2007/2008 representing the group of the GCCA University Consortium and IARC. The proposed project is a part of it.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
Cited from the web site of Stratospheric Platform Project in Japanese.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Hiroshi Tanaka
Center for Computational Sciences
1-1-1 Tennoudai, Tsukuba, 305-8577
305-8577
Japan

Tel: +81-29-853-4503
Mobile: no
Fax: +81-29-853-6879
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation