ESA - Technology - Technology leaps let SMOS follow Earth’s water

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Technology leaps let SMOS follow Earth’s water

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SMOS carries the first polar-orbiting spaceborne 2D interferometric radiometer operating in the 'L-band' range. The instrument is called Microwave Imaging Radiometer with Aperture Synthesis (MIRAS). It consists of a central hub and three deployable arms. There are 69 antenna receiver elements called LICEFs distributed over the three antenna arms.

Credits: ESA - AOES Medialab

Developing the technology

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MIRAS consists of a central structure and three deployable arms, each of which has three segments. There are 69 antenna elements, so-called LICEF receivers, equally distributed over the three arms and the central structure. Each LICEF is an antenna-receiver integrated unit that measures the radiation emitted from Earth within the L-band.

Last update: 12 October 2009

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