Research work · 2004
Future microwave radiometers in geostationary and medium earth orbit
U. Klein, Chung‐Chi Lin, Nigel C. Atkinson, Janet E. Charlton, C. Philpot
IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS)
Abstract
In this paper we present intermediate results of 2 ongoing parallel studies on post MSG candidate microwave instruments. The user requirements focus on rapidly evolving meteorological phenomena such as convective systems, precipitation and cloud patterns, requiring the high temporal resolution achievable from high altitude orbits. The derived instrument requirements mainly focus on high frequencies enabling the spatial resolution necessary for now-casting applications. Main drivers for the derived concepts in a geostationary orbit (GEO) are the large main reflector of approximately 3 m diameter, the scan mechanism and the combination of radiometric accuracy, geographical coverage and repeat cycle. The medium earth orbit (MEO) concepts, although offering a number of advantages over the GEO concepts, are not quite as mature at this time and are being refined in the course of the studies. From the technology point of view, radiation shielding, precise orbit analysis, scan pattern and scan mechanism are issues to be investigated in detail.