TMI

TRMM Microwave Imager

Satellite

TRMM

Status

Operational – To be utilised in the period 1997 to ~ 2009

Mission

Multi-purpose MW imager, with emphasis on precipitation

Instrument type

MW radiometer with 5 frequencies / 9 channels

Scanning technique

Conical: 53° zenith angle; useful swath: 760 km - Scan rate: 32 scan/min = 12.8 km/scan

Coverage/cycle

Intertropical coverage 1 to 2 times/day depending on latitude (best coverage at 15°N and 15°S)

Resolution

Changing with frequency, consistent with an antenna diameter of 61 x 66 cm

Resources

Mass: 65 kg - Power: 50 W - Data rate: 8.8 kbps

Central frequency (GHz)

Bandwidth (MHz)

Polarisations

Accuracy (NEΔT)

IFOV

Pixel

10.65

100

V, H

0.6 K

37 x 63 km

24 x 25.6 km

19.35

500

V, H

0.7 K

18 x 30 km

12 x 12.8 km

21.3

200

V

0.9 K

18 x 23 km

12 x 12.8 km

37.0

2000

V, H

0.4 K

9 x 16 km

6 x 12.8 km

85.5

3000

V, H

0.7 K

5 x 7 km

3 x 6.4 km