FLORAD: Micro-satellite flower constellation of millimeter-wave radiometers for atmospheric remote sensing

High-Repetition Millimeter-Wave Passive Remote Sensing of Humidity and Hydrometeor Profiles from Elliptical Orbit Constellations

“…In a previous study we analyzed the feasibility of designing an FC with three minisatellites at relatively high apogee around 1200 km (Marzano et al 2009). This solution envisaged three minisatellites, but turned out to be problematic in terms of launch strategy.…”

“…Moreover, a rich satellite constellation would reinforce the concepts of statistical blending of infrared data derived from geostationary satellites and MW estimates measured from low Earth orbit (LEO) platforms (e.g., Tapiador et al 2004;Marzano et al 2004). Small space missions, focused on minisatellites withradiometers having low weight, small size, and low power consumption compatible with high-level characteristics in terms of system specifications and atmospheric product accuracy, may represent a suitable compromise between cost and benefit (Marzano et al 2008). The small-space mission concept will also be compliant with the need for long-term planning of atmospheric satellite missions aiming at climate change monitoring and trend detection (Wertz and Larson 1999).…”

“…In previous works, we explored the design of the Flower constellation (FC), exploiting three or four minisatellites in slightly and moderatelyelliptical orbits (Marzano et al 2008(Marzano et al , 2009). The small-mission concept was named Flower Constellation of Millimeter-Wave Radiometers (FLORAD).…”

“…The small-mission concept was named Flower Constellation of Millimeter-Wave Radiometers (FLORAD). Its optimal configuration was demonstrated to be an FC of three minisatellites at an orbital height between 600 and 1200 km to fulfill the scientific requirements (Marzano et al 2009). The launch strategy of the FLORAD was also discussed, pointing out the need for a multiple-satellite launch; a further analysis is needed to deal with possible problems in terms of deployment time, orbit maneuvers, and launcher accommodation (e.g., Wertz and Larson 1999).…”

“…Moreover, the design of the FLORAD multifrequency compact radiometer was supported by a reduced-entropy analysis of the MMW information content obtaining an overall set of 10 channels between 89 and 229 GHz. The comparison among the various FLORAD radiometer configurations was carried out by using two statistical inversion schemes, namely a multiple regression (MR) and a maximumlikelihood (ML) algorithm, for retrieving temperature, humidity, and hydrometeor profiles (Marzano et al 2009). These simplified inversion algorithms were developed for an algorithm intercomparison analysis over a specific target area using a case study.…”