The evolution of the performance of the AVHRR, HIRS and AMSU-A instruments on-board Metop-A after one year in-orbit

Abstract

It is well known that the varying geometrical relationship between the Sun and the Earth within a year as well as the inorbit ageing, affect in to some degree the performance of the instruments on-board the Earth orbiting satellites. Following the successful launch and commissioning of the Metop-A satellite, the in-orbit performance of the AVHRR, HIRS and AMSU-A instruments have been continuously monitored. The data acquired since the launch of the satellite has been analysed in order to detect any potential ageing or seasonal effects that might affect instrument performance.

The evolution of the performance of the AVHRR, HIRS, and AMSU-A instruments on board MetOp-A after over three years in orbit

“…The status and performance of the AVHRR, HIRS and AMSU-A instruments on MetOp-A have been monitored routinely since the launch of the satellite 2,3,4 . The evolution of the performance of these instruments is presented in this paper.…”

“…Advanced Scatterometer (ASCAT) 3) Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment (GOME-2) 4) GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) Receiver for Atmospheric Sounding (GRAS)…”

“…AMSU-A1 consists of 12 V-band channels (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14) and one W-band channel (15) and the associated scanning, calibration, processing, and power control electronics. AMSU-A2 contains the two lower frequencies (K-band channel 1 and Kaband channel 2), and the associated scanning, calibration, processing, and power control electronics.…”