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The CAFE Project Team uses data from intstrumens placed in the following satellites:
In December of 1999, NASA launched the first EOS satellite --
EOS Terra --
that began collecting data on February 24, 2000. Terra carries
with five state-of-the-art instruments
(ASTER,
CERES,
MISR,
MODIS, and
MOPITT)
to observe and measure the state of the Earth system (land,
ocean and atmosphere), and
monitor global environmental changes over time.
Data from each instrument will be processed into continuous long- term measures and follow-up missions are planned to extend this data set continously for at least the next 18 years.
MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectro-Radiometer) is a multi-spectral scanner that registers electromagnetic radiation intensity at 36 different spectral bands ranging from visible to thermal infrared. It uses a cross-track scanning device to collect information useful in a number of applications such as global vegetation monitoring, plant stress, harvest yields, drought studies, landscape disturbances, etc. MODIS samples the entire globe every 1-2 days.
ASTER (Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer) is a very high resolution spectral instrument that registers data in 14 spectral bands. The information is useful to obtain detailed maps of land surface temperature, emissivity, reflectance and elevation. It provides high spatial and spectral resolution data that will greatly assist studies in urban change, evapotranspiration, hydrology and glaciology. ASTER samples the globe selectively and by request.
The data from the
Landsat spacecraft
constitute the longest record
of the Earth surface as seen from space (1972 to present). It is a record
unmatched in quality, detail, coverage, and value. Landsat data are used
by a wide community of users (farmers, foresters, water managers, land
managers, surveyors, explorers, local governments, and federal agencies.
Landsat 7, launched April 15, 1999, is the latest in the Landsat series,
continues the record and it also adds richness. Landsat 7 includes the
instrument ETM.
ETM+ (Enhanced Thematic Mapper) The ETM+ on board Landsat 7 is a fixed position, nadir viewing, "whisk-broom", multispectral scanning radiometer andis capable of providing high-resolution imaging information of the earth's surface. Radiation in both the visible and infrared regions of the spectrum are detected by the instrument in eight distinct bands. The ETM+ is an improved version of the Landsat 4/5 Thematic Mapper (TM) payloads, but still provides data continuity with all prior Landsat missions. Improvements in the instrument include increased spatial resolution of the thermal IR band (Band 6), improvement of the radiometric calibration equipment, and the addition of a panchromatic band (Band 8).
The SeaStar Spacecraft, developed by OSC, was launched to low Earth orbit on board an extended Pegasus launch vehicle on August 1, 1997. The SeaWiFS instrument will be the only scientific payload on the SeaStar spacecraft.
SeaWiFS (Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer) has been developed to: 1) provide quantitative data on global ocean bio-optical properties to the Earth science community. Subtle changes in ocean color signify various types and quantities of marine phytoplankton (microscopic marine plants), the knowledge of which has both scientific and practical applications. 2) develop and operate a research data system that will process, calibrate, validate, archive and distribute data received from an Earth-orbiting ocean color sensor.
A partnership between the U.S.and France to monitor global ocean circulation,
discover the tie between the oceans and atmosphere, and improve global
climate predictions. Since 1992, every 10 days, the instruments in the
TOPEX/Poseidon
satellite measures global sea level with unparalleled accuracy.
This information has significant practical applications in such areas
as the study of worldwide weather patterns, the monitoring of shoreline
evolution, and the protection of our great ocean fisheries.
Jason is an oceanography joint mission between France and USA. The Jason-1 satellite will be launched in September, 2001, and it is a follow-on mission to the highly successful TOPEX/Poseidon mission. The satellite will carry a radar altimeter to monitor global ocean circulation, discover the tie between the oceans and atmosphere, improve global climate predictions, and monitor events such as El Niño conditions and ocean eddies.
The
Advanced Earth Observing Satellite (ADEOS) was launched in August
1996 and produced data from September 1996 to June 1997. The satellite
included the NSCAT instrument.
NSCAT (NASA Scatterometter) is a specialized radar that takes high resolution measurements of near-surface wind speed and direction over Earth's oceans. A catterometer is a high frequency microwave radar designed specifically to measure ocean near-surface wind speed and direction. As the wind blows over the ocean, the surface is roughened by the generation of cat's paws (centimeter scale capillary waves). These, in turn, modify the surface radar backscatter, the amount of energy 'reflected' back towards the satellite. The instrument also provides sigma-o data (a measure of radar backscatter) over land and ice surfaces.
NOAA
is part of the ongoing US series of polar-orbiting weather satellites.
These were preceded by the TIROS series and the ITOS (Improved TIROS)
series. These satellites make measurements of atmospheric temperature
and humidity, surface temperature, cloud cover, water-ice-moisture boundaries,
and
space proton and electron fluxes. They can receive, process, and retransmit
data from free-floating balloons, buoys, and remote automatic stations
around
the globe. These satellites are managed by NOAA (National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration) and NASA is responsible for developing and
launching the spacecraft. The NOAA spacecraft use a letter designator
(NOAA G) before launch, when it receives a numeric designator. TIROS-N
through
NOAA-D are called the TIROS-N series. NOAA-E through NOAA-N are called
the TIROS ATN series (Advanced TIROS N). NOAA-D was launched
out of sequence and later became NOAA 12.
AVHRR (Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer) is an instrument that has been carried aboard NOAA's Polar Orbiting Environmental Satellites since 1978. With very wide swath (~2400 km) and ground resolution of approximately 1.1 km at nadir, it has provided consistent global measurements that extend over the last two decades. AVHRR data provide opportunities for studying and monitoring vegetation conditions, agricultural assessment, land-cover mapping and large area mapping.
CAFE Home *
Summary *
Team
Components:
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Climate,
Marine,
Vegetation
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