Photophoretic Tracers

NASA

Photophoretic Tracers for Near-Space Remote Sensing at 30-100 km Altitudes

Benjamin SchaferRarified Technologies, Inc. We propose a new approach to atmospheric sensing at 30-100 km altitudes using photophoretically levitating tracers. These lightweight structures harness sunlight to remain suspended for up to months at controlled altitudes and can be remotely tracked by satellite-based lidar or radar. Unlike natural aerosols, these tracers are designed to provide strong and tunable backscatter at standard remote sensing…