Microwave and Sub-mm Wave Sensors: A European Perspective

The EUMETSAT Polar System (EPS) will be followed by a second generation system, EPS-SG, in the 2020–2040 timeframe and is the European contribution to the Joint Polar System being jointly set up with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the United States. Among the various missions which are part of EPS-SG, there are the Microwave Imager (MWI) and the Ice Cloud Imager (ICI). The MWI frequencies are from 18 up to 183 GHz. All MWI channels up to 89 GHz measure both V and H polarizations. The primary objective of the MWI mission is to support Numerical Weather Prediction at regional and global scales, and to support the retrieval of precipitation and provide information on surface characteristics. The ICI has channels from 183 up to 664 GHz. The ICI’s primary objectives are to support climate monitoring and validation of ice cloud models and the parameterization of ice clouds in weather and climate models through the provision of ice cloud products. The Copernicus Imaging Microwave Radiometry (CIMR) Mission is also described, which is currently being studied at Phase A/B1 as a candidate for the future Copernicus High Priority Candidate Mission expansion missions. This has a focus on high-latitude regions in support of European Union (EU) Integrated Arctic Policy. Benefits from synergy with MWI and ICI in support to characterization of hydrometeors are briefly discussed.