CPR

Cloud Profiling Radar

Satellite

CloudSat

Status

Operational – Utilised in the period 2006 to ~ 2012

Mission

Vertical profile of cloud water (liquid and ice)

Instrument type

Radar, frequency 94.05 GHz,

Scanning technique

None. Along-track sampling at 2 km intervals

Coverage/cycle

Global coverage in 16 days for cells of 100 km side

Resolution

Horizontal: 1.4 km (cross-track) x 3.5 km (along-track); vertical 500 m

Resources

Mass: 230 kg - Power: 270 W - Data rate: 15 kbps