Parasol is the second microsatellite in the Myriade series developed by CNES. It is carrying a wide-field imaging radiometer/polarimeter called POLDER (Polarization and Directionality of the Earth’s Reflectances), designed in partnership with the LOA atmospheric optics laboratory in Lille (CNRS-USTL). POLDER is designed to improve our knowledge of the radiative and microphysical properties of clouds and aerosols by measuring the directionality and polarization of light reflected by the Earth-atmosphere system.

Launched by an Ariane 5 G+ from Europe’s spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, Parasol will embark on an expected two-year mission, flying in formation with Aqua and Aura (NASA), Calipso (NASA/CNES) and CloudSat (NASA/CSA) as part of the so-called A-Train. These satellites, to be joined later by NASA’s Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO) in 2008, will for the first time ever combine a full suite of instruments for observing clouds and aerosols, from passive radiometers to active lidar and radar sounders.

Hurricane Rita seen by PARASOL
Orbit 019070, on the 23rd of September 2005