The document summarizes the Aquarius/SAC-D mission to measure global sea surface salinity from space using an L-band radiometer and scatterometer. The mission aims to improve understanding of interactions between ocean circulation, the water cycle, and climate. It will provide global salinity measurements every 7 days at 150km resolution to study links between salinity, rainfall, evaporation and ocean density. The observatory carries instruments from Argentina and the US to also measure soil moisture, atmospheric water vapor, sea ice and other variables.
1. The Aquarius/SAC-D Mission Overview Gary Lagerloef, ESR Sandra Torrusio, CONAE David LeVine, NASA GSFC Monica Rabolli, CONAE
2. Salinity Mission Science Understanding the Interactions Between the Ocean Circulation, Global Water Cycle and Climate by Measuring Sea Surface Salinity Global salinity patterns are linked to rainfall and evaporation Salinity affects seawater density, which in turn governs ocean circulation and climate The higher salinity of the Atlantic sustains the oceanic deep overturning circulation Salinity variations are driven by precipitation, evaporation, runoff and ice freezing and melting WOA 2001 NOAA/NODC
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4. Relation to Past and Future Missions SAC-C 2000 CONAE SAOCOM CONAE SMAP NASA SMOS 2009 ESA MMRS, HRTC , HSTC , DCS GOLPE , MMP IST, INES ICARE , DCS , HSC , CARMEN, ROSA, NIRST, MWR L-Band Passive Soil Moisture Ocean Salinity L-Band Passive/Active Ocean Salinity Soil Moisture (low resolution) 2011 L-Band Passive/Active Soil Moisture (hi resolution) Ocean Salinity 2013-2014 L-Band SAR Soil Moisture 2013-2014
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6. The Observatory Today DCS NIRST Aquarius (primary instrument) TDP SAC-D S/P CARMEN-1 (ICARE-NG & SODAD) ROSA HSC MWR Microwave Radiometer Data Collection System High Sensitivity Camera Technology Demonstration Package Service Platform Satélite de Aplicaciones Científicas-D Near InfraRed Sensor Technology Radio Occultation Sounder for the Atmosphere
11. Examples of MWR Applications Total Precipitable Water AMSU (Advanced Microwave Sounder Unit) Product NOAA Satellite Sea Ice Cloud Liquid Water SSMI on DMSP - Surface Wind Speed
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13. Examples of Applications Fires Detection Urban Lights HSC Snow Coverage Buenos Aires Sea Surveillance
14. Examples of Applications Data Collection System (DCS) Join DCS, ROSA & Carmen CARMEN: Computer simulation of space debris distribution ROSA: Atmospheric Temperature Profile
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16. Summary A Foundation Mission for the Decadal Survey Ocean Salinity Aquarius: First Passive/Active L-band Sensor Soil Moisture Natural Hazards Space Environment Surface Wind, Rain & Sea Ice
