GPS radio occultation with TerraSAR-X

TerraSAR-X RO

TerraSAR-X is a German satellite for Earth Observation, which was launched on July 14, 2007. The mission duration is foreseen to be 5 years. TerraSAR-X carries a innovative high resolution x-band sensor for imaging with resolution up to 1 m.

TerraSAR-X carries as secondary payload an IGOR GPS receiver with GPS RO capability. GFZ provided the IGOR and is responsible for the related TOR experiment (Tracking, Occultation and Ranging). The occultation measurements and related atmospheric data products are continuously provided in near-real time in analogy to CHAMP and GRACE-A.

References  

• WICKERT, J., T. Schmidt, G. Michalak, S. Heise, C. Arras, G. Beyerle, C. Falck, R. Koenig, D. Pingel, and M. Rothacher, GPS radio occultation with CHAMP, GRACE, SAC-C, TerraSAR-X, and COSMIC: Brief review of results from GFZ, Springer book, OPAC-3 workshop, 2008.
• BEYERLE, G., L. Grunwaldt, S. Heise, W. Koehler, R. Koenig, G. Michalak, M. Rothacher, T. Schmidt, J. Wickert, B. Tapley, B. Giesinger, First results from the GPS atmosphere sounding experiment TOR aboard the TerraSAR-X satellite. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 11, 13, 6687-6699, 2011.