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The CO2M mission, part of the Copernicus Expansion programme, will measure the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere through human activity. Due to the high accuracy requirements of this measurement, it is important to measure and characterise the aerosol population within the CO2 instrument footprint. For this purpose, ESA have requested that a Multi Angle Polarimeter (MAP) be part of the instrument suite. As part of the overall mission consortium led by OHB (DE), Thales Alenia Space (UK) have been selected to provide this instrument. The instrument itself is a multi angle (<40 angles) multi spectral (7 bands, 400-900nm) polarimeter, based on well known approaches (POLDER, 3MI). However, MAP achieves the demanding level of polarimetric accuracy in a compact volume by using a focal plane assembly that performs both polarization and spectral separation. Use of simple telescopes also allows for wide field-of-view (300km swath) while minimising issues associated with straylight. This paper outlines the main MAP instrument requirements, and details the instrument operating concept and design. Results from the early technology predevelopment activity on the focal plane will be presented, as well as a brief look at other missions for which MAP is suited.
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