Two-Dimensional Microwave Interferometer Retrieval Capabilities over Land Surfaces (SMOS Mission)

摘要: This paper discusses the potential of an L-band 2-D microwave interferometric radiometer for monitoring surface variables over land surfaces. The instrument is payload Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) Mission recently selected phase A studies by European Space Agency (ESA) as second Earth Explorer Opportunity Mission. based on innovative two-dimensional aperture synthesis concept. sensor has new significant capabilities, especially in terms multiangular viewing configurations. main aspects retrieval capabilities SMOS soil moisture, vegetation biomass, temperature are presented this paper. analysis model inversion. standard errors estimate computed various configurations a function both uncertainties associated with space measurements those ancillary information used retrievals. possibility to retrieve one, two, or three investigated, depending view angle configuration. These questions key issues optimize mission scenario, meet scientific requirements technical constraints mission.