Passive Microwave Instrument Studies for Next Generation Precipitation and Cloud Measurements

Completed TRL 1 (started at 1, targeting 2)

Description

We will formulate high-level concepts for passive microwave instrument candidates for next generation precipitation and cloud measurements. The results can be used in support of a Cloud and Precipitation Process Mission architecture study. Outcomes will include technology roadmaps and relative science performance evaluation for a small-satellite microwave imager (MI) oriented towards time-resolved process measurements, a balloon-borne microwave imager suitable for use in medium-duration (~4-6 week) campaigns, and a large-satellite MI with enhanced profiling capability, all considering architectures for including sub-millimeter-wave channels.

Benefits

The cloud and precipitation science community desires process-oriented measurements to improve representation of cloud microphysical processes (e.g., snow aggregation, riming, onset of precipitation) to continue and expand the legacy of measurements from TRMM, CloudSat, and GPM. A process-oriented mission would ideally yield detailed profiles, separating cloud and precipitation hydrometeor species, at horizontal resolution < 4km, vertical resolution < 250m, and temporally resolved on scales of < 30 minutes. While these objectives would best be achieved using a combination of active and passive measurements on multiple satellites, advances in MI design are a minimum requirement to achieve the desired hydrometeor discrimination, horizontal, vertical, and temporal resolution. This study will provide detailed measurement requirements needed to achieve scientific understanding of cloud and precipitation processes and then formulate instrument concepts that can provide these measurements.

Details

Technology area	Sensors and Instruments > Remote Sensing Instruments and Sensors > Microwave, Millimeter Waves, and Submillimeter Waves
Program	Center Independent Research & Development: GSFC IRAD (GSFC IRAD)
Lead organization	Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD
Start date	2017-10-01
End date	2018-09-01

Project contacts

Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.

Matthew Mcgill
William E Cutlip — william.e.cutlip@nasa.gov
Stephen J Munchak — s.j.munchak@nasa.gov
Gail S Jackson — gail.s.jackson@nasa.gov
Giovanni De Amici — giovanni.deamici@nasa.gov
Ian S Adams — ian.s.adams@nasa.gov
Jeffrey R Piepmeier — jeff.piepmeier@nasa.gov
Michael A Solly — michael.a.solly@nasa.gov
Sergey Krimchansky — sergey.krimchansky@nasa.gov

How to get involved

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 1) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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