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XDS: SSMI
SSMI: Special Sensor Microwave/Imager
General Data Description
The Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I) is a seven-channel, four-frequency, orthogonally polarized, passive microwave radiometric system that measures atmospheric, ocean, and terrain microwave brightness temperatures at 19.35, 22.2, 37.0, and 85.5 GHz, with a spatial resolution of 25 km for the first three channels and 12.5 km for the 85 GHz channel. The SSM/I is carried on Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) satellites F8, F10, F11, F12, F13, F14, and F15.
The data include wind speed, water vapor, liquid water, and rain rate and are produced by Remote Sensing Systems (RSS).
Measurement Description
Wind Speed at 10 meters (m/sec)
Precipitable Water Vapor (mm)
Total Cloud Liquid Water Amount (mm)
Precipitation Rate (mm/hr)
Temporal Coverage
F08 SSM/I Jul 1987 to Dec 1991
F10 SSM/I Dec 1990 to Nov 1997
F11 SSM/I Dec 1991 to May 2000
F13 SSM/I May 1995 to November 2009
F14 SSM/I May 1997 to August 2008
F15 SSM/I Dec 1999 to present
Area Covered
All ocean areas
Datastream Inputs
gecssmi08X1.00
gecssmi10X1.00
gecssmi11X1.00
gecssmi13X1.00
gecssmi14X1.00
gecssmi15X1.00
Related Links
SSMI Website
Instrument information
Contacts
ARM Data Center
Data Source
Institution
Remote Sensing Systems (RSS)
Acronyms
GEC Global Earth Coverage RSS Remote Sensing Systems SSMI Special Sensor Microwave/Imager
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