A microwave radiometer spacecraft
Abstract
A conceptual design for a future microwave-radiometer spacecraft is described. The intended remote-sensing mission is centered around soil moisture measurements and requires all-weather day and night observations at a low microwave frequency (less than 5 GHz) in order to penetrate clouds, haze, and ground covers. The specific mission requirements are summarized in terms of two broad mission objectives, the system design requirements are outlined, and three structural approaches are evaluated at the conceptual design level. The weights, Shuttle flights, and structural member lengths for the three concepts are compared. The dual momentum vector control concept for pointing and slewing control is examined.
- Publication:
-
American Astronautical Society
- Pub Date:
- October 1978
- Bibcode:
- 1978aans.confR....L
- Keywords:
-
- Earth Resources Program;
- Microwave Radiometers;
- Remote Sensors;
- Spaceborne Photography;
- Spacecraft Design;
- Technological Forecasting;
- High Resolution;
- Microwave Sensors;
- Mission Planning;
- Photomapping;
- Soil Moisture;
- Spacecraft Instruments;
- Systems Engineering;
- Spacecraft Instrumentation