Initial evaluation of AMSU-B in-orbit data

Nigel C. Atkinson; S. McLellan

doi:10.1117/12.319506

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19 August 1998 Initial evaluation of AMSU-B in-orbit data

Nigel C. Atkinson, S. McLellan

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Proceedings Volume 3503, Microwave Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere and Environment; (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.319506
Event: Asia-Pacific Symposium on Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere, Environment, and Space, 1998, Beijing, China

Abstract

The NOAA-K polar-orbiting satellite was launched on 13th May 1998. On board are a number of new instruments, including the microwave sounders AMSU-A and AMSU-B. The UK Met Office were responsible for the procurement and characterization of AMSU-B and have a continuing role in supporting the program. The first AMSU-B flight model was activated in orbit on 20th May 1998. This paper describes the initial test that were conducted on the instrument and gives some preliminary results. Functionally, the instrument appeared to work well, but major discrepancies were apparent for two channels between measured and predicted brightness temperatures. The problem has been traced to RF interference from spacecraft transmitters; characterization of the errors is still in progress. Finally, a technique is outlined, and preliminary results presented, for measuring the co-channel alignment between the 89 GHz channels on AMSU-A and AMSU-B.

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Nigel C. Atkinson and S. McLellan "Initial evaluation of AMSU-B in-orbit data", Proc. SPIE 3503, Microwave Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere and Environment, (19 August 1998); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.319506

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