HELiPOD - revolution and evolution of a helicopter borne measurements system for multidisciplinary research in demanding environments

The helicopter-borne measurement system HELiPOD is a platform for atmospheric and other environmental measurements to investigate local and regional phenomena. It can be operated in remote areas, as from a research vessel with a helicopter, without the need for a runway. This article presents the current design concept, technical details and sensor package of HELiPOD, which was completely renewed for the deployment during the MOSAiC (Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate) expedition across the North Polar Ocean in 2019/2020. It was updated for the deployment in the methane campaigns METHANE-To-Go-Poland to study methane emissions from coal mines in South Poland, and METHANE-To-Go-Nordstream, a follow-up campaign to study methane emissions from the Baltic Sea after the NordStream pipeline leaks in 2022. The HELiPOD has dimensions of 5.2 m x 2.1 m x 1.2 m and a weight of around 325 kg. It provides the possibility for flight patterns on a horizontal scale of typically 100 m to 100 km and at altitudes from 10 m up to 3 km. HELiPOD employs distributed data acquisition and central data synchronization, equipped with sensors relevant to five fields of research: atmospheric dynamics, trace gases, aerosols, radiation and surface properties. The focus of the article is the technical realization, in particular the data acquisition system for about 60 sensors, as well as concepts for energy supply and thermalmanagement. It describes the complementary use of different measurement principles and redundant sensors for improved data quality. Operational procedures are also discussed

Overview : Integrative and Comprehensive Understanding on Polar Environments (iCUPE) - concept and initial results

The role of polar regions is increasing in terms of megatrends such as globalization, new transport routes, demography, and the use of natural resources with consequent effects on regional and transported pollutant concentrations. We set up the ERA-PLANET Strand 4 project "iCUPE - integrative and Comprehensive Understanding on Polar Environments" to provide novel insights and observational data on global grand challenges with an Arctic focus. We utilize an integrated approach combining in situ observations, satellite remote sensing Earth observations (EOs), and multi-scale modeling to synthesize data from comprehensive long-term measurements, intensive campaigns, and satellites to deliver data products, metrics, and indicators to stakeholders concerning the environmental status, availability, and extraction of natural resources in the polar areas. The iCUPE work consists of thematic state-of-the-art research and the provision of novel data in atmospheric pollution, local sources and transboundary transport, the characterization of arctic surfaces and their changes, an assessment of the concentrations and impacts of heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants and their cycling, the quantification of emissions from natural resource extraction, and the validation and optimization of satellite Earth observation (EO) data streams. In this paper we introduce the iCUPE project and summarize initial results arising out of the integration of comprehensive in situ observations, satellite remote sensing, and multi-scale modeling in the Arctic context.Peer reviewe

HELiPOD - revolution and evolution of a helicopter borne measurements system for multidisciplinary research in demanding environments

The helicopter-borne measurement system HELiPOD is a platform for atmospheric and other environmental measurements to investigate local and regional phenomena. It can be operated in remote areas, as from a research vessel with a helicopter, without the need for a runway. This article presents the current design concept, technical details and sensor package of HELiPOD, which was completely renewed for the deployment during the MOSAiC (Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate) expedition across the North Polar Ocean in 2019/2020. It was updated for the deployment in the methane campaigns METHANE-To-Go-Poland to study methane emissions from coal mines in South Poland, and METHANE-To-Go-Nordstream, a follow-up campaign to study methane emissions from the Baltic Sea after the NordStream pipeline leaks in 2022. The HELiPOD has dimensions of 5.2 m x 2.1 m x 1.2 m and a weight of around 325 kg. It provides the possibility for flight patterns on a horizontal scale of typically 100 m to 100 km and at altitudes from 10 m up to 3 km. HELiPOD employs distributed data acquisition and central data synchronization, equipped with sensors relevant to five fields of research: atmospheric dynamics, trace gases, aerosols, radiation and surface properties. The focus of the article is the technical realization, in particular the data acquisition system for about 60 sensors, as well as concepts for energy supply and thermalmanagement. It describes the complementary use of different measurement principles and redundant sensors for improved data quality. Operational procedures are also discussed