The TIROS-N high resolution infrared radiation sounderThe high-resolution infrared radiation sounder (HIRS/2) was developed and flown on the Television and Infrared Observation Satellite, N Series (TIROS-N) as one means of obtaining atmospheric vertical profile information. The HIRS/2 receives visible and infrared spectrum radiation through a single telescope and selects 20 narrow spectral channels by means of a rotating filter wheel. A passive radiant cooler provides an operating temperature of 106.7K for the HgCdTe and InSb detectors while the visible detector operates at instrument frame temperature. Low noise amplifiers and digital processing provide 13 bit data for spacecraft data multiplexing and transmission. The qualities of system performance that determine sounding capability are the dynamic range of data collection, the noise equivalent radiance of the system, the registration of the air columns sampled in each channel, and the ability to upgrade the calibration of the instrument to maintain the performance standard throughout life. The basic performance of the instrument in test is described. Early orbital information from the TIROS-N launched on October 13, 1978 are given and some observations on system quality are made.
Document ID
19790066499
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Koenig, E. W. (ITT, ITT Aerospace/Optical Div., Fort Wayne Ind., United States)
Date Acquired
August 9, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1979
Subject Category
Spacecraft Instrumentation
Meeting Information
Meeting: Space instrumentation for atmospheric observation; Region V Annual Conference