BlackJack

BlackJack

Satellites

CHAMP, Microlab-1 (GPS/MET), SAC-C (GOLPE), GRACE (2 satellites)

Status

Operational – Utilised in the period 1995 to ~ 2010

Mission

Temperature/humidity sounding with highest vertical resolution, space weather

Instrument type

GPS receiver measuring the phase delay due to refraction during occultation between GPS and LEO

Scanning technique

Limb scanning from 830 km to close-to-surface by time sampling – Azimuth: 90° sectors fore- and aft-

Coverage/cycle

About 500 soundings/day – Average spacing 1000 km – Global coverage (300 km spacing) in 10 days

Resolution

About 300 km horizontal, 0.5 km vertical

Resources

Mass: … kg - Power: … W - Data rate: 17 kbps