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Schematic drawing of Aquarius instrument
larger image (44 KB JPG, new window)
Front view of prototype salinity instrument,
PALS (Passive / Active L- and S-band radiometer)
Aquarius Instrument Information
| Item Value | Summary/Units |
|---|---|
| Sensor type | Radiometers at 1.413 GHz Scatterometer at 1.26 GHz |
| Number of instruments | 1 |
| Number of channels | 3 antenna feeds, 3 polarimetric radiometers, 1 polarimetric scatterometer |
| Size | 3 m x 6 m_ 4 m, antenna deployed |
| Mass with contingency | 400 kg |
| Power with contingency | 450 W, 100% duty cycle, 50 W standby |
| Data rate with contingency | TBD kbps |
| Optical layout | 3 antenna beams at 29°, 38°, 45° incidence angles to shadow side of orbit |
| Footprint sizes | 76 X 94 km, 84 X 120 km, 96 X 156 km |
| Radiometer NEDT 6 sec integration | 1 K |
| Radiometer stability for 7 days | 0.12 K |
| Radar calibration stability for 7 days | 0.13 dB |
| Ground calibration scheme | In situ SSS sensors on buoys and ships |
| Onorbit calibration scheme | Noise diodes in radiometer and cold sky measurements |
| Pointing requirements (3s) | 0.05 (knowledge); 0.5 (control and stability) |
| Command and control requirements | Once per month for cold sky measurement |
| Operational modes | ON, Standby, Survival |
Download detailed information about the Aquarius Instrument (3.9 MB PDF, new window)
Glossary Words
microwave: Electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength of between 0.3 and 30 centimeters (between infrared and radio), corresponding to frequency of 1 to 100 gigahertz (GHz). Favored for radar because of its cloud-penetrating properties.
radiometer: An instrument that measures radiance, or the radiation emitted by an object.
scatterometer: A microwave (radar) sensor that scans the surface of the earth from an aircraft or satellite and reads the reflection or scattering coefficient of the return pulse to measure surface roughness and derive wind speed and direction.
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