Polarimetric scanning radiometer for airborne microwave imaging studies

A multiband microwave polarimetric scanning radiometer (PSR) has been constructed for airborne observations from the NASA DC-8 airborne platform. The primary application of the PSR is the development of optimal spaceborne hardware configurations and retrieval algorithms for passive wind-vector sensing over the ocean surface. Four radiometers, operating at 10.7, 18.7, 37, and 89 GHz, each measure the first three modifed Stokes´ parameters (T_ν, T_h, and T_U ). A gimballed mechanism allows observations at any incident angle within a cone of ~70° half-angle around nadir. The PSR´s four radiometers and two-axis scanning capability will provide unique polarimetric data for microwave emission studies of both ocean and land surfaces, as well as atmospheric clouds and precipitation