HQ Air Force Weather Agency 

Meteorological Satellite Applications Branch


SSM/I Tutorial
Offutt Air Force Base , Nebraska 
Superior Support to the Warfighter

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Background information on the

Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I)

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Written by Paul J. McCrone, GS-12, DAFC

HQ Air Force Weather Agency

AFWA / METSAT  Applications Branch - (AFWA/XOGM)

ABSTRACT

Currently, advanced microwave sensors aboard meteorological satellites are providing data about the atmosphere on an unparalleled level. Aboard spacecraft of the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP), there are three such microwave sensors . This paper will focus on the newest of these sensors: the Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSMI). The intent of this paper is to provide the reader with a basic overview of the sensor, including some of the physics behind the design of the sensor.

Table of Contents:
INTRODUCTION

I. THE DMSP SATELLITE

        A. General Information

        B. Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I)

                       1. Sensor Channels and Polarizations
                       2. Scan Geometry

II. SENSOR DESIGN PRINCIPLES

        A. The Purpose of each channel

        B. The Purpose of each polarization

        C. The Purpose of the Scan Geometry

III. PRODUCTS AVAILABLE FROM SSM/I

IV. CONCLUDING COMMENTS

BIBLIOGRAPHY

NOTICE: THIS IS FOR TRAINING PURPOSES ONLY!

The Headquarters, Air Force Weather Agency (HQ AFWA) is the designated Department of Defense Meteorological Satellite Center of Expertise. Products from AFWA  include High Resolution Meteorological Satellite Data from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP), and many other satellite systems. For additional information on this page, call DSN 271-2821, our METSAT Applications Branch - (XOGM).

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For more information regarding AFWA/XOGM:

Address: 
HQ Air Force Weather Agency 
Office code: XOGM
106 Peacekeeper Dr. Ste. 2N3
Offutt AFB, NE 68113-4039
Phone:   
Commercial: (402) 294-2821
DSN:  271-2821

Fax:     
Commercial: (402) 294-5872
DSN:  271-5872
Send e-mail to: Paul.McCrone@afwa.af.mil for info on this page

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