THE CEOS DATABASE : Missions, Instruments and Measurements
 
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CEOS EO HANDBOOK – INSTRUMENT SUMMARY - SSM/IS -
Full Name Special Sensor Microwave Imager Sounder Status Operational
Instrument Agencies NOAA, DoD (USA) Maturity High Heritage - Operational
Instrument Type Atmospheric temperature and humidity sounders and Imaging multi-spectral radiometers (passive microwave) Geometry Conical scanning
Instrument Technology Multi-purpose imaging MW radiometer Sampling Sounding
Data Access Open Access Data Format Binary, NetCDF
Measurements and Applications Measures thermal microwave radiation. Global measurements of air temp profile, humidity profile, ocean surface winds, rain overland/ocean, ice concentration/age, ice/snow edge, water vapour/clouds over ocean, snow water content, land surface temperature.
Resolution Summary Varies with frequency: 25 x 17 km to 70 x 42 km
Swath Summary 1700 km
Accuracy Summary
Waveband Summary Microwave: 19 - 183 GHz (24 frequencies)
MW (~0.1 cm - ~100 cm)
Instrument Measurements
Measurements Overview
CategoryParameter
Atmospheric Humidity FieldsAtmospheric specific humidity (LT, HT, TC)
Atmospheric Temperature FieldsAtmospheric temperature (LT, HT, TC)
Liquid water and precipitation ratePrecipitation intensity at the surface (liquid or solid)
Snow cover, edge and depthSnow water equivalent
Soil moistureSoil moisture at the surface
Thematic Links Global Climate Observing System Essential Climate Variables (GCOS ECVs)
ECVDescriptionProduct(s)ECV Inventory 3.0 Record(s)
Precipitation click here click here search ECV Inventory records
Snow click here click here search ECV Inventory records
Soil Moisture click here click here search ECV Inventory records
Temperature (upper-air) click here click here search ECV Inventory records
Water Vapour (upper air) click here click here search ECV Inventory records
Instrument Missions
DMSP F-16 - Defense Meteorological Satellite Program F-16 (2003 - 2023)
DMSP F-17 - Defense Meteorological Satellite Program F-17 (2006 - 2025)
DMSP F-18 - Defense Meteorological Satellite Program F-18 (2009 - 2025)
DMSP F-19 - Defense Meteorological Satellite Program F-19 (2014 - 2016)
DMSP F-20 - Defense Meteorological Satellite Program F-20 (2020 - 2025)
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