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Details on this mission type
Full name Instruments covering 3.0-5.0 micrometers
Definition This portion of MWIR includes a major atmospheric window to observe surface temperatures and clouds, the CO2 band around 4.3 micrometers, and several species such as C2H6, CH4, CO, CO2, COS and N2O. Involved instrument types: • Moderate resolution optical imager, • High resolution optical imager, • Cross-nadir infrared sounder, • Limb sounder.
Relevant instruments and their contribution

The sorting column describes how the instruments, by design, have the potential to contribute to certain pre-determined capabilities, assuming nominal operation of space and ground segments. For this particular capability, instrument performance is considered to be driven by:

  • the spectral resolution or number of channels
  • the orbit (GEO or LEO).

The rating criteria are as follows:

  1. Hyperspectral sounder in GEO for frequent high-vertical resolution temperature profile in the low-medium troposphere.
  2. Hyperspectral sounder in LEO for high vertical-resolution temperature profile in the low-medium troposphere, and some trace gases.
  3. Sounding radiometer in GEO for frequent coarse vertical resolution temperature profile in the low-medium troposphere; OR Imaging radiometer in GEO or Molniya for frequent measurement of surface temperature and clouds.
  4. Sounding radiometer in LEO for coarse vertical resolution temperature profile in the low-medium troposphere; OR Imaging radiometer in LEO for measurement of surface temperature and clouds.
  5. Limb sounder for atmospheric chemistry in the high troposphere and low stratosphere.