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Instrument: COWVR
Instrument details
Acronym
COWVR
Full name
Compact Ocean Wind Vector Radiometer
Purpose
Technological demonstration of a compact multi-polarimetric MW radiometer for wind vector measurement over the sea
Short description
3 frequencies, 18-channel MW radiometer; full polarimetric capability at all three frequenciesd [see detailed characteristics below]
Background
Follow-on of the WindSat radiometer flown on Coriolis but with minitiarized technology.
Scanning Technique
Conical: 50-55° zenith angle, swath 1000 km – Scan rate: 30 scan/min = 12 km/scan
Resolution
Changing with frequency, consistent with antenna diameter of 75 cm
Coverage / Cycle
Latitude-limited by the ISS orbital inclination (51.6°). Low and middle latitudes covered in about 1.5 days
Mass
59 kg
Power
40 W
Data Rate
77 kbps
Providing Agency
NASA
Instrument Maturity
Demonstration pending
Utilization Period:
2022 to ≥2024
Last update:
2021-12-23
Detailed characteristics
No.
Central frequency (GHz)
Bandwidth (MHz)
Polarisations (*)
NEΔT
IFOV
Pixel
1
18.7
780
V, H, P, M, L, R
0.23 K
31x20 km
30x30 km
2
23.8
475
V, H, P, M, L, R
0.19 K
25x15 km
30x30 km
3
33.9
1975
V, H, P, M, L, R
0.13 K
18x11 km
30x30 km
(*) Polarisations: H = horizontal, V = vertical, P = + 45°, M = - 45°, L = left-hand circular, R = right-hand circular
Satellites this instrument is flying on
Note: a red tag indicates satellites no longer operational, a
green tag indicates operational satellites, a blue tag indicates
future satellites
Instrument classification
Earth observation instrument Passive microwave radiometer Conical scanning microwave radiometer
WIGOS Subcomponents
Subcomponent 1 MW sounder and imager in inclined orbits
Mission objectives
Primary mission objectives Wind speed (near surface) Wind vector (near surface)
Secondary mission objectives Cloud liquid water (CLW) Cloud liquid water (CLW) total column Integrated Water Vapour (IWV) Precipitation intensity at surface (liquid or solid)
Opportunity objectives Accumulated precipitation (over 24 h) Snow cover Snow status (wet/dry) Snow water equivalent Show all Show fewer
Tentative Evaluation of Measurements
The following list indicates which measurements can typically be
retrieved from this category of instrument. To see a full Gap Analysis by Variable,
click on the respective variable.
Note: table can be sorted by clicking on the column headers