SSM/I Instrument

Identifierssm-iNamesSpecial Sensor Microwave ImagerSSM/I About identifiers

Measurements and Applications

Measures atmospheric, ocean and terrain microwave brightness temperatures to provide: sea surface winds, rain rates, cloud water, precipitation, soil moisture, ice edge, ice age.

Instrument Summary

Full Name
Special Sensor Microwave Imager
Status
No longer operational
Instrument Agencies
NOAA, DoD (USA)
Maturity
High Heritage - Operational
Instrument Type
Imaging multi-spectral radiometers (passive microwave)
Geometry
Conical scanning
Instrument Technology
Multi-purpose imaging MW radiometer
Sampling
Other
Data Access
Open Access
Data Format

Performance Summary

Resolution
15.7 x 13.9 km to 68.9 x 44.3 km (depends on frequency)
Swath
1400 km
Accuracy
Waveband
Microwave: 19.35 GHz, 22.235 GHz, 37 GHz, 85 GHz
MW (~0.1 cm - ~100 cm)

Instrument Missions

DMSP F-8 - Defense Meteorological Satellite Program F-8 (1987 - 2006) dmsp-f-8_ssm-i
DMSP F-10 - Defense Meteorological Satellite Program F-10 (1990 - 1993) dmsp-f-10_ssm-i
DMSP F-11 - Defense Meteorological Satellite Program F-11 (1991 - 2000) dmsp-f-11_ssm-i
DMSP F-12 - Defense Meteorological Satellite Program F-12 (1994 - 2004) dmsp-f-12_ssm-i
DMSP F-13 - Defense Meteorological Satellite Program F-13 (1995 - 2015) dmsp-f-13_ssm-i
DMSP F-14 - Defense Meteorological Satellite Program F-14 (1997 - 2020) dmsp-f-14_ssm-i
DMSP F-15 - Defense Meteorological Satellite Program F-15 (1999 - 2019) dmsp-f-15_ssm-i

Instrument Measurements

CategoryParameter
Atmospheric Humidity FieldsAtmospheric specific humidity (TC)
Cloud particle properties and profileCloud liquid water (TC)
Liquid water and precipitation ratePrecipitation intensity at the surface (liquid or solid)
Ocean surface windsWind speed over sea surface (horizontal)
Snow cover, edge and depthSnow cover
Snow water equivalent
Soil moistureSoil moisture at the surface
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