Objectives and Applications
The goal of the PolSIR mission is to better characterize and understand the diurnal variability of tropical and sub-tropical ice clouds. PolSIR will provide key observational constraints on ice properties in Earth system models and enable modelers to develop more accurate cloud parameterizations.
The science and application objectives are to: (1) Constrain the seasonally influenced diurnal cycle amplitude, form, and timing of the ice water path (IWP) and particle diameter in tropical and sub-tropical ice clouds. (2) Determine the diurnal variability of ice clouds in the convective outflow areas and understand relation to deep convection. (3) Determine the relationship between shortwave and longwave radiative fluxes and the diurnal variability of ice clouds. (4) Enable improvement of Earth system models by providing novel observations of the diurnal cycle of ice clouds, ultimately leading to improved Earth system modeling skills and increased fidelity of long-term seasonal forecasts in support of critical decision-making.
Full Name
Polarized Submillimeter Ice-cloud Radiometer
Mission Status
Approved
Mission Agencies
Launch Date
Jan 2027
Mission Links
EOL Date
Jan 2029
Orbit Type
Inclined, non-sun-synchronous
Orbit Period
94 minutes
Orbit Sense
Ascending
Orbit Inclination
52 deg
Orbit Altitude
475 km
Orbit Longitude
NORAD Catalog #
International Designator
PolSIR - Polarized Submillimeter Ice-cloud Radiometer |
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