There are increasing demands for mobile atmospheric sensing capabilities as cost-effective, in-situ surveillance solutions. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with laser spectroscopic sensors represent unprecedented possibilities for atmospheric sensing, while devices on-board small wheather balloons can deliver valuable data across the Earth's atmosphere. Thus, these approaches are great promise for providing detailed information about the spatial and temporal variability of emissions regardless of terrain complexity or pollution source characteristics, air quality, and boundary layer meteorology.

Our aim is to adapt conventional lab-based laser spectrometers to such flying platforms, while maintaining the high precision required for atmospheric trace gas monitoring.