| Paper: | FR-A1.14 |
| Session: | Instruments and Calibration (Posters) |
| Time: | Friday, March 30, 09:00 - 10:20 |
| Presentation: |
Poster
|
| Topic: |
Advanced radiometer techniques: |
| Title: |
Development Status and Performance of the Microwave Radiometers on board MetOp-SG Satellites |
| Authors: |
Ville Kangas; European Space Agency | | |
| | Salvatore D'Addio; European Space Agency | | |
| | Ulf Klein; European Space Agency | | |
| | Alberto Graziani; European Space Agency | | |
| | Marc Loiselet; European Space Agency | | |
| | Graeme Mason; European Space Agency | | |
| Abstract: |
The European Space Agency (ESA) is developing the space segment of the Second Generation (SG) of the EUMETSAT Polar System (EPS-SG). The mission METOP-SG (Meteorological Operational) satellites is a series of two satellites (Satellite-A and Satellite-B) with three satellites of each series. The aim of the mission is to extend the EPS capability in the 2022-2042 timeframe. The baseline for the launch readiness of the first Satellite A is September 2021 and December 2022 for the first Satellite B.
Among the 10 payloads embarked on-board both satellites, ESA is responsible for the development of 7 instruments, including three passive microwave radiometers: the Microwave Radiometer Sounder (MWS) on Satellite A, the Microwave Radiometer Imager (MWI) and Ice Cloud Imager (ICI) on Satellite B. The combination of the three radiometers will offer a wide range of radiometric observations from 18 GHz to 664 GHz for humidity and temperature profiles, precipitations and icy clouds.
The paper will present the development status of the three radiometers including the predicted performances, the major technical achievements, the status of the equipment and sub-assembly development as well as the status of the complete instruments EM/EQM models. An overview of the test campaign will be presented including in particular the radiometric characterization in thermal-vacuum and the antenna characterization approach, which will combine simulations and real measurements.
A development model of MWS has been built for early validation of radiometric and antenna performance. For antenna testing, a complete satellite mock-up, including all other instruments was also built. Antenna testing was performed over complete 4pi in order to allow accurate knowledge of total power received in all directions. This allows accurate antenna correction for high radiometric accuracy. First test campaign was finished in autumn 2017 and the results of the test campaign are compared with simulations (also including satellite and other instruments). This paper will present the results of the test campaign.
The equipment engineering and qualification model (EQM) built is completed for most subsystems and test campaigns are on-going. MWS instrument level engineering model integration will start beginning of 2018, followed by instrument level test campaign . First flight model integration will start in 2019 after required performances of the MWS EM are confirmed.
Critical Design Review (CDR) of MWS will take place in spring 2018 and this paper will present the radiometric performances based on measured results at equipment level. Final instrument level radiometric test campaign in thermal vacuum will take place in summer 2018.
For what concerns MWI and ICI, the corresponding equipment EQMs are under manufacturing, including critical items such as the RF receivers, on-board calibration target, scan mechanism, reflectors and feeds. The MWI and ICI instrument level EM integration will complete by end of 2018, followed by instrument level test campaign. The CDR of ICI and MWI is planned to take place at the beginning of 2019. The paper will report the preliminary results of the test campaign of the main subsystems and, on the basis of these, will provide an extrapolation of the expected performance at instrument level. |
