HALO Large Wing Pods

The HALO Large Wing Pods (HLWPs) are canisters that can be mounted underneath the HALO wings. With a length of 4 m, a diameter of 0.5 m, and a possible scientific payload of about 140 kg, the two HLWPs can carry comparably large and heavy instruments. The original HLWPs hardware has been manufactured in the commissioning phase of HALO. The existing HLWPs will be modified to be able to accommodate novel measurement setups that will be implemented on HALO within the upcoming years. Both, in-situ as well as remote sensing instruments can be housed in the HLWPs. The instruments to be installed in the HLWPs are built and maintained by individual groups.

For example, it is planned to use the HLWPs as carriers for a comprehensive set of imaging, digital, and spectral cameras for cloud and surface observations. This new HEmispheric and spectraL Imaging multi-Camera System (HELICS) is funded by the DFG and currently built up at Leipzig University. It will be installed during the HALO mission CONIDA for studying air mass transformation processes during the transition phase from polar night to polar day, which will consitst of a night and a day phase scheduled for end of 2028 and summer 2029.

Additionally, a submillimeter radiometer (HAMPng) funded by DFG and maintained by the University of Cologne will extend the capabilities of HALO’s Microwave Package to the next generation. Flying a HAMPng together with the comprehensive NARVAL package will allow detailed insights into clouds systems via this unique instrument synergy and improve process understanding and satellite retrievals.

In general, the contact person for technical issues of the HLWPs and planning the use of the HLWPs is the HALO Operator Coordinator at DLR. During HALO campaigns deploying the HLWPs, the contact person is the DLR-FX project manager in charge.