Integration of MIRAS breadboard and future activities

Author

Martín-Neira, M. ; Goutoule, J. ; Knight, A. ; Claude, J. ; Bara, J. ; Camps, A. ; Torres, F. ; Corbella, I. ; Lannes, A. ; Anterrieu, E. ; Laursen, B. ; Skou, N.

Author_Institution

Eur. Space Agency, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Volume

2

fYear

1996

fDate

27-31 May 1996

Firstpage

869

Abstract

The European Space Agency (ESA) is conducting a feasibility study on MIRAS, a Microwave Imaging Radiometer using two dimensional aperture synthesis, for the mapping of soil moisture and ocean salinity from space. An aircraft breadboard of this instrument is discussed. This paper concentrates on the results achieved following the integration of the prototype. The breadboard consists of an 11 element Y-shaped bi-dimensional L-band interferometer which can be switched to measure the two polarizations. In addition the future activities related to MIRAS are presented. A technology demonstrator of MIRAS is proposed as a first major step towards a future spaceborne sensor

Keywords

electromagnetic wave polarisation; geophysical techniques; hydrological equipment; microwave detectors; microwave imaging; microwave measurement; moisture measurement; oceanographic equipment; radiometers; radiometry; radiowave interferometers; remote sensing; soil; 11 element Y-shaped bi-dimensional L-band interferometer; European Space Agency; MIRAS breadboard; Microwave Imaging Radiometer; future activities; ocean salinity; polarizations; soil moisture; technology demonstrator; two dimensional aperture synthesis; Aircraft; Apertures; Instruments; L-band; Microwave imaging; Microwave radiometry; Prototypes; SMOS mission; Sea measurements; Soil measurements;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, 1996. IGARSS '96. 'Remote Sensing for a Sustainable Future.', International

Conference_Location

Lincoln, NE

Print_ISBN

0-7803-3068-4

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/IGARSS.1996.516504

Filename

516504