The NASA African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analyses (NAMMA) campaign is a field research investigation sponsored by the Science Mission Directorate of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). This mission was based in the Cape Verde Islands, 350 miles off the coast of Senegal in west Africa. Commencing in August 2006, NASA scientists employed surface observation networks and ... aircraft to characterize the evolution and structure of African Easterly Waves (AEWs) and Mesoscale Convective Systems over continental western Africa, and their associated impacts on regional water and energy budgets. NASA will also made extensive use of its orbiting satellites (including Aqua, TRMM, and the recently-launched Cloudsat/CALIPSO) and modeling capabilities to improve its forecasts and flight plans.
The Diode Laser Hygrometer (DLH), a near-infrared spectrometer operating from aircraft platforms, was developed by NASAs Langley and Ames Research Centers. It measures water vapor mixing ratio and derives water vapor partial pressure, relative humidity, and water vapor flux. Based upon near-infrared tunable diode technology it spectrometer provides true in situ monitoring of water vapor concentrations with precision levels exceeding those of existing Lyman; and frost point hygrometers.