BackForwardInstrument:  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
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 69 kg Power 40 W Data Rate 77 kbps

 

Providing Agency NASA
Instrument Maturity Demonstration pending
Utilization Period: ≥2021 to ≥2024
Last update: 2021-06-17
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)
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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
VariableRelevance for measuring this variableOperational limitationsExplanation
Accumulated precipitation (over 24 h)5 - marginalPoor time sampling.. Time sampling to be interpolated by GEO.MW channels around 19, 23 and 37 GHz
Cloud liquid water (CLW)3 - highNo specific limitation.MW channels around 37 GHz
Cloud liquid water (CLW) total column3 - highNo specific limitation.MW channels around 37 GHz
Precipitation intensity at surface (liquid or solid)5 - marginalInaccurate over land.MW channels around 19, 23 and 37 GHz
Snow cover3 - highCoarse spatial resolution.MW channels around 19 and 37 GHz
Snow status (wet/dry)2 - very highCoarse spatial resolution.MW channels around 19 and 37 GHz
Snow water equivalent2 - very highCoarse spatial resolution.. Ground stations network needed.MW channels around 19 and 37 GHz
Integrated Water Vapour (IWV)3 - highOver sea only.MW channel(s) in the water vapour band around 23 GHz
Wind speed (near surface)3 - highOver sea only.MW channels around 19 and 37 GHz
Wind vector (near surface)3 - highOver sea only.MW channels for 4 Stokes parameters at frequencies around 19 and 37 GHz