Course Description

Satellite microwave (MW) remote sensing uses the electromagnetic spectrum, from the medium radio-frequency to the sub-millimeter-wavelength region. MW sensors on board low-Earth-orbiting meteorological satellites deliver crucial data for numerical weather prediction applications. Europe’s Copernicus/Sentinel satellites provide operational ocean, land and air quality information services to a multitude of institutional and commercial users.  Earth science missions address specific questions associated with bio- and geo-physical Earth systems for better understanding of the underlying mechanisms leading to climate change. This practice-oriented course aims at introducing the participants to the design of various MW instruments used for satellite-based Earth observations. It also covers the design, development and operation of a complete satellite system allowing participants to gain an understanding of the overall end-to-end process and strong inter-dependencies between the payload and the system, all driven by corresponding mission objectives.