NASA's Offices

L-band microwave radiometer at 1.413 GHz; scatterometer at 1.26 GHz; SSS measurements with root-mean-sq random errors and systematic biases <= 0.2 psu on 150 km sq scales over ice-free oceans.

The Cloud Profiling Radar (CPR) is a 94-GHz nadir-looking radar which measures the power backscattered by clouds as a function of distance from the radar. The CPR was developed jointly by NASA/JPL and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). The overall design of the CPR is simple, well understood, and has strong heritage from many cloud radars already in operation in ground-based and airborne applications.

The design of the CPR is driven by the science objectives. The original requirements on CPR were: sensitivity defined by a minimum detectable reflectivity factor of -30 dBZ, along-track sampling of 2 km, a dynamic range of 70 dB, 500 m vertical resolution and calibration accuracy of 1.5 dB. The minimum detectable reflectivity factor requirement was reduced to -26 dBZ when the mission was changed to put CloudSat into a higher orbit for formation flying.

To achieve sufficient cloud detection sensitivity, a relatively low frequency (i.e. <94 GHz) radar would require an enormous antenna and high peak power. At frequencies much greater than 100 GHz, a large antenna and high peak power are also needed due to rapid signal attenuation through cloud absorption. Furthermore, technologies at such high frequencies are less well developed. The 94-GHz frequency chosen by CPR offers the best compromise, meeting performance within the spacecraft resources. In fact, most existing airborne cloud radars operate at 94 GHz. These airborne radars provide extensive heritage for CPR on instrument design and technology, data processing, and retrieval algorithms. A primary frequency allocation of 94 GHz for spaceborne cloud radar sensing has been formally approved at the 1997 World Radio Conference.

Maps Jupiter's gravitational field to determine structure of core; X & Ka-band precision Doppler

Combined with Radiometer provides soil moisture measurements in the top 5 cm of soil through moderate vegetation cover

Ka-band ranging system determines the precise instantaneous relative range-rate of the two s/c

6 wavelengths (1.3-50 cm); sounds atmosphere to determine water and ammonia abundances

Operating over the wavelength range 5-27 microns, providing imaging, coronagraphy, and spectroscopy.

Conduct one-year cruise and two-year rover primary mission with remotely located science team.

Three channel, high- resolution grating spectrometer measuring CO2 and O2 near-infrared absorptions from reflected sunlight

Travel 20 kilometers over the Martian surface.

Provides platform for the instrument

Measure with high precision the elemental composition of in situ rocks and soil.

L-band microwave radiometer at 1.413 GHz; scatterometer at 1.26 GHz; SSS measurements with root-mean-sq random errors and systematic biases <= 0.2 psu on 150 km sq scales over ice-free oceans.

Analysis of mineral and chemical content of Mars samples

Remotely measure elemental composition of rocks and soil up to 9m from rover.

Transport rover to Martian surface and land with impact speed below 1 m/s

Measure hydrogen content in subsurface deposits.

Measures auroral distributions of electrons and ions; TOF vs. energy, ion & electron sensors

Combined with SAR provides soil moisture measurements in the top 5 cm of soil through moderate vegetation cover

Combined with Radiometer provides soil moisture measurements in the top 5 cm of soil through moderate vegetation cover

Taurus XL

TBD

Delivery of mast, canister and instrument structure for the spacecraft

Aperture stop, active shield module and mechanical enclosures

Three channel, high- resolution grating spectrometer measuring CO2 and O2 near-infrared absorptions from reflected sunlight

Acquire, process and deliver 75 rock and soil samples to analytic instruments.

Travel 20 kilometers over the Martian surface.

Monitor key atmospheric measurements including temperature, pressure, wind speed/direction and humidity.

Analysis of elemental and isotopic composition of Mars samples

Spacecraft design, fabrication and testing.

Provides platform for the instrument

Provides platform for the instrument

Acquire color, stereo images with resolutions up to 0.2 mm/pixel at 2 m range.

Maps Jupiter's Magnetic Field (Vector)

Measures radio and plasma emissions; 4 m elec. dipole and search coil

Overall optics assembly management and manufacturing

L-band microwave radiometer at 1.413 GHz; scatterometer at 1.26 GHz; SSS measurements with root-mean-sq random errors and systematic biases <= 0.2 psu on 150 km sq scales over ice-free oceans.

Transport rover to Martian surface and land with impact speed below 1 m/s

N/A

Combined with Radiometer provides soil moisture measurements in the top 5 cm of soil through moderate vegetation cover

Operating over the wavelength range 5-27 microns, providing imaging, coronagraphy, and spectroscopy.

Three channel, high- resolution grating spectrometer measuring CO2 and O2 near-infrared absorptions from reflected sunlight

Acquire, process and deliver 75 rock and soil samples to analytic instruments.

Travel 20 kilometers over the Martian surface.

Analysis of elemental and isotopic composition of Mars samples

Provides platform for the instrument