Today the NASA ER-2 and NOAA G-4 will conduct satellite validation for both AQUA and ICESat. Launch time is shortly after noon local today for both aircraft. The AQUA intercept will occur to the west of HI at 00:11Z (2:10PM local) near 23.0N 163.2W. The G4 will drop six sondes along the orbital flight track while the ER-2 surveys from above. Clear air validation is the primary objective. The second half of the mission will entail a rendevous with the ICESat satellite at 01:53Z (3:53 PM local) at 20.458N 160.760W. The G-4 will drop 2 sondes.
On Sunday, March 2, it is anticipated that the ER-2 and G-4 will be tasked by THORPEX to jointly survey the polar jet associated with a strong, broad baroclinic system forecasted to be located near 39N 162W. If NCEP tasks a concurrent WSRP mission, the G-4 will fly a standard WSRP pattern. If NCEP does not task, THORPEX will request a profiling transect of the jet core and lower altitudes. The ER-2 will overfly the G-4 track except that it will not reverse course during the transect period, but instead make one continuous circuit from above.