File:Air Sample Collection System on NOAA Lockheed WP-3D Orion "Hurricane Hunter" at Air Quality-Climate Research Study (9119691368).jpg

Most of the atmospheric chemistry instrumentation on the WP-3D for this study analyze gases and small particles while the aircraft is flight, typically measuring concentrations and particle characteristics at least once per second for the duration of the flight. However, some chemical compounds in the air cannot readily be measured "on-the-fly." To measure some of those compounds the system shown here collects air samples in canisters to be analyzed on the ground.

This sample collection system is contained in a pod under the starboard (right) wing. It holds 72 small canisters. During flight, an operator in the main cabin pushes a button when she or he wants to collect an air sample, for instance when the aircraft is flying through a concentrated area of air pollution. A valve opens for a few seconds and collects ambient air in a canister. A different canister is used for each sample. On the ground, the rack of canisters is removed and taken to a mobile laboratory in a hanger at the airport. There the concentrations of a number of chemical compounds in each canister is measured.