Precision requirements for space‐based data

Abstract

Precision requirements are determined for space‐based column‐averaged CO 2 dry air mole fraction data. These requirements result from an assessment of spatial and temporal gradients in the relationship between precision and surface CO 2 flux uncertainties inferred from inversions of the data, and the effects of biases on the fidelity of CO 2 flux inversions. Observational system simulation experiments and synthesis inversion modeling demonstrate that the Orbiting Carbon Observatory mission design and sampling strategy provide the means to achieve these data precision requirements.