S-MODE

Here is the S-MODE Plan of the Day for Thursday, April 13:

Updates:

• The intrepid Sally Ride science party has nearly completed the APEX float deployments, in addition to deploying surface drifters and performing CTD casts. Deck operations will cease for ~24 hours as sea state conditions deteriorate.
• The B200 completed its sixth flight of IOP-2, while the MASS TO completed its second. The G-III was a no-go today due to clouds.

 Aircraft schedule:

Here is the Plan of the Day for Wednesday, April 12:

Updates:

• Great day for S-MODE!
• Sally Ride entered the ops area today and she surveyed an exceptional chlorophyll plume.
• With the weather cooperating, all three aircraft flew with all instruments working nominally.

 Aircraft schedule:

Here is the Plan of the Day for Tuesday, April 11:

Updates:

• The LaRC G-III has arrived at Moffett Field!
• The B200 flew its fourth science flight of IOP-2, but no MASS or MOSES data was collected due to fog/clouds.
• The RV Sally Ride is transiting north and is scheduled to arrive at the ops area early morning tomorrow.
• The science team has picked a new target shown below – a large chlorophyll plume pictured in red. The ship, aircraft, and gliders will gravitate toward this feature starting tomorrow.

Aircraft schedule:

Here is the S-MODE Plan of the Day for Monday, April 10:

Updates:

• The R/V Sally Ride departed San Diego on Saturday at ~8pm local. Good luck to the science party!
• The B200 and the MASS Twin Otter will be ready to go on Monday, but the flight outlook for optical instruments is marginal due to forecast low clouds.
• The LaRC G-III is scheduled to arrive at Moffett Field Monday afternoon.

Aircraft schedule:

Here’s the S-MODE Plan of the Day for Saturday, April 8 (all times Pacific):

Saturday, April 8

Updates:

Here’s the S-MODE Plan of the Day for Friday, April 7 (all times Pacific):

Friday, April 7

Updates:

• The B200 completed their first science flight of the campaign, and DopplerScatt completed a successful survey. Tomorrow the B200 will fly again for a MOSES SST data collection.
• The MASS Twin Otter will transit to Monterey Regional Airport tomorrow.
• The LaRC G-III will transit as scheduled on Monday, April 10th.

Aircraft schedule:

Here is the S-MODE Plan of the Day for Thursday, April 6 (all times Pacific).

Updates:

• The B200 arrived at Moffett Field today at ~1530. The team is aiming for an 0800 takeoff tomorrow to log their first science flight of the campaign.
• Weather for the remainder of the week is marginal for a B200 science flight, due to light winds and cloud cover. If the skies lift, MOSES SST data collection is a possibility, even if DopplerScatt data is poor.

 Aircraft schedule:

Here is the S-MODE Plan of the Day for Wednesday, April 5.

Updates:

• The B200 experienced a landing gear indicator light issue that prevented its transit to Moffett Field.
• We will have an update on B200 aircraft status by 0830 tomorrow.

Wednesday, April 5 (all times Pacific)

Aircraft schedule:

• Possible morning B200 transit to Moffett Field
• Possible afternoon science flight (B200 SF#1)

Meeting schedule:

Here is the first Plan of the Day for S-MODE IOP-2 field operations!

Tuesday, April 4 (all times Pacific)

Aircraft schedule:

• 0930:  B200 departs Edwards AFB
• ~1100:  B200 arrives at Moffett Field
• 1215:  Preflight meeting for B200 SF1
• ~1400:  B200 SF1 takeoff

 Ship and in situ plan: