No JavaScript detected
Instrument details
Acronym
MADRAS
Full name
Microwave Analysis & Detection of Rain & Atmospheric Structures
Purpose
Contribution to the Global Precipitation Measurement mission (GPM)
Short description
5 frequencies / 9 channels [see detailed characteristics below]
Background
New development.
Joint development by ISRO and CNES.
Scanning Technique
Conical: 56° zenith angle; swath: 1700 km - Scan rate: 24.6 scan/min = 16 km/scan
Resolution
IFOV ranging from 6 km at 157 GHz to 50 km at 18.7 GHz, consistent with a 65-cm antenna diameter
Coverage / Cycle
Intertropical coverage 2 to 5 times/day depending on latitude (best coverage at 15°N and 15°S)
Mass
162 kg
Power
153 W
Data Rate
37 kbps
Providing Agency
ISRO
Instrument Maturity
Flown on an R&D satellite
Utilization Period:
2013-01-15 to 2013-09-24
Last update:
2021-06-17
Detailed characteristics
No. Central frequency (GHz) Bandwidth (MHz) Polarisations NEΔT IFOV Pixel 1
18.7
200
V, H
0.43 K
40 x 60 km
40 x16 km
2
23.8
400
V
0.44 K
31 x 47 km
40 x16 km
3
36.5
1000
V, H
0.36 K
20 x 31 km
40 x16 km
4
89.0
1700
V, H
0.42 K
10 x15 km
10 x16 km
5
157.0
1700
V, H
1.13 K
6 x 9 km
6 x16 km
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 Precipitation intensity at surface (liquid or solid) Secondary mission objectives Cloud liquid water (CLW) total column Integrated Water Vapour (IWV) Snow cover Snow status (wet/dry) Snow water equivalent Wind speed (near surface) Opportunity objectives Accumulated precipitation (over 24 h) Cloud liquid water (CLW) Long-wave Earth surface emissivity 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
Accumulated precipitation (over 24 h) 4 - fair Poor time sampling.. Time sampling to be interpolated by GEO. MW channels around 19, 23, 37 and 90 GHz
Cloud liquid water (CLW) 3 - high No specific limitation. MW channels around 37 and 90 GHz
Cloud liquid water (CLW) total column 3 - high No specific limitation. MW channels around 37 and 90 GHz
Long-wave Earth surface emissivity 5 - marginal Long time series needed. MW channels around 19, 37 and 90 GHz. Emissivity across this MW range inferred by statistical analysis
Precipitation intensity at surface (liquid or solid) 4 - fair No specific limitation. MW channels around 19, 23, 37 and 90 GHz; 90 GHz very important over land
Snow cover 3 - high Coarse spatial resolution. MW channels around 19, 37 and 90 GHz. Higher frequencies less sensitive to emissivity from ground under snow
Snow status (wet/dry) 2 - very high Coarse spatial resolution. MW channels around 19, 37 and 90 GHz. Higher frequencies less sensitive to emissivity from ground under snow
Snow water equivalent 2 - very high Coarse spatial resolution.. Ground stations network needed. MW channels around 19, 37 and 90 GHz. Higher frequencies less sensitive to emissivity from ground under snow
Integrated Water Vapour (IWV) 3 - high Over sea only. MW channel(s) in the water vapour band around 23 GHz
Wind speed (near surface) 4 - fair Over sea only. MW channels around 19 and 37 GHz
Instrument: MADRAS