The primary objective of the Aquarius/SAC-D earth-remote sensing mission will be to investigate the links between global water cycle, ocean circulation and climate. Sea Surface Salinity (SSS) is a key parameter in understanding the global water cycle and this mission will yield an unprecedented view of ocean's role in climate and weather. This international partnership mission involving 6 countries is preparing for a launch in September 2010. The observatory (spacecraft and Instruments), will accommodate the primary NASA provided instrument for measuring SSS and various instruments from CONAE, ASI, CSA and CNES making additional atmospheric and environmental science measurements. The observatory integration and testing occurs in Argentina and Brazil and launched to space from United States. The project is currently in the final phases of Integration of the Observatory in Argentina and will undergo environmental tests at the INPE-LIT test facility in Brazil before shipping to launch site in USA. An overview of the mission along with the preparation status towards launch will be provided.

Date Published: 22 September 2009
PDF: 12 pages
Proc. SPIE 7474, Sensors, Systems, and Next-Generation Satellites XIII, 74740C (22 September 2009); doi: 10.1117/12.835888

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 7474:
Sensors, Systems, and Next-Generation Satellites XIII
Roland Meynart; Steven P. Neeck; Haruhisa Shimoda, Editor(s)