On-flight characterization of the SMOS payload during the commissioning phase

The SMOS in-orbit commissioning phase will start at launching and will last about 6 months. During this phase an extensive activity will start, particularly aimed at providing full confidence on the products that the mission will produce during its operational phase. As part of this activity, the payload MIRAS will be fully characterized using specific orbits dedicated to check all instrument modes. First, the procedures carried out during the on-ground characterization will be repeated so as to obtain a realistic temperature characterization and updated internal calibration. Additionally, a new concept of external calibration, consisting of periodic sky looks, will be tested providing the first-ever absolute instrument calibration parameters. Finally, the imaging capability of the instrument both in dual polarization and full polarimetric will be assessed using images of the Earth surface and the Galaxy. As a final result, the higher level overall performance parameters, such as stability, radiometric sensitivity, radiometric accuracy and absolute accuracy will be evaluated.