In-Situ Polarization Measurements for the Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO)

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is developing the Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO), a polarization-sensitive sensor that will soon be launched. Calibration and validation for this instrument require the ability to account for polarization properties of various surfaces and atmospheres. In order to validate the OCO assumptions, it is necessary to have instrumentation that can measure atmospheric and surface properties. This paper evaluates several instruments that were on hand. Although these instruments were found to be lacking, this study has allowed us to define requirements for future instruments.