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Instrument details
Acronym
IDCS
Full name
Image Dissector Camera System
Purpose
Cloud imagery
Short description
Single-channel camera operating in the VIS range (0.45-0.65 µm). All-time open camera, converting the incoming light into an electronic beam that is amplified by a photomultiplier and focused onto a small hole by a magnetic lens. The dynamic range is 100:1 enabling observation of objects of very different brightness in the same scene
Background
Blending the characteristics of APT and AVCS flown on previous Nimbus satellites
Scanning Technique
Combination of the satellite motion and applied magnetic fields cross- and along- the track direction. The image is framed in 800 lines x 800 pixels/line transmitted in real time at the rate of 240 lines/min. Swath 2600 km
Resolution
3.2 km at s.s.p.
Coverage / Cycle
Global, once/day, in daylight
Mass
11.3 kg
Power
18 W
Data Rate
Analogue: 3.2 kHz base band
Providing Agency
NASA
Instrument Maturity
Flown on an R&D satellite
Utilization Period:
1969 to 1972-01-22
Last update:
2017-03-26
Detailed characteristics
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 optical radiometer or spectrometer Moderate resolution optical imager
WIGOS Subcomponents
No WIGOS subcomponents have been defined.
Mission objectives
Primary mission objectives
Secondary mission objectives
Opportunity objectives 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
Variable Relevance for measuring this variable Operational limitations Explanation
Cloud cover 5 - marginal Daylight only.. Dense cloud only. VIS channel(s)
Fire fractional cover 5 - marginal Cloud sensitive.. Coarse spatial resolution.. Daylight only. VIS channels
Sea-ice cover 5 - marginal Cloud sensitive.. Daylight only. VIS channel(s)
Snow cover 5 - marginal Cloud sensitive.. Daylight only. VIS channel(s)
Instrument: IDCS