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Details on this mission type
Full name Instruments covering 8.5-15 micrometers
Definition This portion of TIR includes a major atmospheric window to observe surface and clouds, the main CO2 band, an ozone band around 9.7 micrometers, and several species such as C2H2, C2H6, CFC-11, CFC-12, ClONO2, COS, HNO3, N2O5, PAN, SF6 and SO2. 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 LEO for high-vertical resolution temperature profile in the medium-high troposphere, O3, and several trace gases.
  2. Hyperspectral sounder in GEO for frequent high vertical-resolution temperature profile in the medium-high troposphere, and O3.
  3. Imaging radiometer in LEO for surface temperatures and cloud analysis; OR Imaging radiometer in GEO or Molniya for frequent surface temperatures, cloud analysis, cloud motion wind and convective precipitation.
  4. Sounding radiometer in LEO for coarse vertical resolution temperature profile; OR Sounding radiometer in GEO or Molniya for coarse vertical resolution temperature profile.
  5. Limb sounder for atmospheric chemistry in the high troposphere and low stratosphere.