Chapter 21
Model Development for Passive
Microwave Remote Sensing at ESA
ESTEC
J. Noll, J.P.V. Poiares Baptista, M. Borgeaud
European Space Agency, ESA ESTEC
Postbox 299, NL 2200 AG
Noordwijk, The Netherlands
21.1 Introduction
In Europe, the information gathered by METEOSAT as well as ESA's remote sensing satellite
ERS-l have demonstrated the benefit of space-borne instruments for observation of the Earth's
environment. ESA is preparing for future Earth-observation missions. In particular, these
are the development of Meteosat Second Generation (MSG), METOP and ENVISAT as well
as studies for future Earth Explorer and Earth Watch missions in the next century. A more
detailed information of ESA's Earth observation programme is attached as an annex.
Microwave measurements from space can provide all-weather monitoring of the Earth's surface
and atmosphere on a global, day and night basis. This kind of observations plays today a vital
role in monitoring the Earth environment.
The paper will focus on user requirements and model development for the Multi-frequency Imaging Microwave Radiometer (MIMR), acknowledging the wide range of applications for passive
microwave radiometers. MIMR is scheduled to fly on the European METOP and the American
EOS-PM satellites in about 2000. The paper will discuss direct models and inverse algorithms,
and relate instrument features to the geophysical products that can be obtained. Snow monitoring is presented as one example application for modelling and geophysical parameter retrieval.
21.2 Geophysical Products as Derived from MIMR
Data
In the following ESA's multi-frequency Imaging Microwave Radiometer (MIMR) will be briefly
explained, Due to the multi-frequency capabilities of MIMR, it's data will be used for geophyNATO ASI Series. Vol. I45
Radiation and Water in the Climate System:
Remote Measurements
Edited by Ehrhard Raschke
© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 1996
Model Development for Passive
Microwave Remote Sensing at ESA
ESTEC
J. Noll, J.P.V. Poiares Baptista, M. Borgeaud
European Space Agency, ESA ESTEC
Postbox 299, NL 2200 AG
Noordwijk, The Netherlands
21.1 Introduction
In Europe, the information gathered by METEOSAT as well as ESA's remote sensing satellite
ERS-l have demonstrated the benefit of space-borne instruments for observation of the Earth's
environment. ESA is preparing for future Earth-observation missions. In particular, these
are the development of Meteosat Second Generation (MSG), METOP and ENVISAT as well
as studies for future Earth Explorer and Earth Watch missions in the next century. A more
detailed information of ESA's Earth observation programme is attached as an annex.
Microwave measurements from space can provide all-weather monitoring of the Earth's surface
and atmosphere on a global, day and night basis. This kind of observations plays today a vital
role in monitoring the Earth environment.
The paper will focus on user requirements and model development for the Multi-frequency Imaging Microwave Radiometer (MIMR), acknowledging the wide range of applications for passive
microwave radiometers. MIMR is scheduled to fly on the European METOP and the American
EOS-PM satellites in about 2000. The paper will discuss direct models and inverse algorithms,
and relate instrument features to the geophysical products that can be obtained. Snow monitoring is presented as one example application for modelling and geophysical parameter retrieval.
21.2 Geophysical Products as Derived from MIMR
Data
In the following ESA's multi-frequency Imaging Microwave Radiometer (MIMR) will be briefly
explained, Due to the multi-frequency capabilities of MIMR, it's data will be used for geophyNATO ASI Series. Vol. I45
Radiation and Water in the Climate System:
Remote Measurements
Edited by Ehrhard Raschke
© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 1996