Megha-Tropiques Mission

The Megha-Tropiques Mission (MTM) is a planned mission to study the "water cycle in the tropical atmosphere in the context of climate change." [ [http://meghatropiques.ipsl.polytechnique.fr/ Mission description] . MEGHA-TROPIQUES: water cycle in the tropical atmosphere in the context of climate change.(Acces date 06-21-2008)] A collaborative effort between French Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), MTM was scrapped in 2003, but later revived in 2004 when India increased its contribution and costs were lowered. [ [http://www.space.com/spacenews/archive04/missionarch_022404.html India and France Resurrect, Redesign Megha-Tropiques Mission] , PETER B. de SELDING And K.S. JAYARAMAN. 24 February 2004] [ [http://www.isro.org/pressrelease/Nov12_2004.htm ISRO and French Space Agency, CNES, Sign MOU on Megha-Tropiques Satellite Mission] November 12,2004] With the progress made by GEWEX (Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment), MTM currently is being designed to understand tropical meteorological and climatic processes, by obtaining reliable statistics on the water and energy budget of the tropical atmosphere. [ [http://www.gewex.org/gewex_overview.html About GEWEX] ] MTM will compliment other data in the current regional monsoon projects such as MAHASRI and the completed GAME project. [ [http://mahasri.cr.chiba-u.ac.jp/index_e.html Monsoon Asian Hydro-Atmosphere Scientific Research and Prediction Initiative] ] [http://www.hyarc.nagoya-u.ac.jp/game/ GEWEX Asian Monsoon Experiment] ] MTM also seeks to describe the evolution of major tropical weather systems. The focus will be the repetitive measurement of the tropics.

Design

Primarily MTM provides instruments that allow simultaneously observation of 3 interrelated components of the atmospheric engine: water vapor, condensed water (clouds and precipitations), and radiative fluxes. Secondarily is to facilitate the repetitive sampling of the inter-tropical zone over long periods of time. Finally a microwave radiometer, Multi-frequency Microwave Scanning Radiometer (MADRAS), would compliment other research of the Global Precipitation Measurement mission.

Instrumental payload

Instruments fulfill a complementary role to other on geostationary satellites. In this, microwave instruments are essential.

Microwave Scanning Radiometer

A microwave imager, Multi-frequency Microwave Scanning Radiometer (MADRAS), will be used to study precipitation, cloud properties, and ice clouds. This instrument will be of SSM/I type.

Microwave sounding instrument

In addition, a microwave sounding instrument, Sondeur Atmosphérique du Profil d'Humidité Intertropicale par Radiométrie (SAPHIR), would compliment MADRAS.

Radiation Scanner

To measure outgoing fluxes of radiation at the top of the Earth's atmosphere a radiation sensor array of the Scanner for Radiation Budget (ScaRaB) type is planned.

References