News MHS ready for routine operation   MHS Channel H1 data     20 December 2006   Following a series of functional and performance tests, the Microwave Humidity Sounder carried on MetOp-A has been declared ready for routine operation.   Since the instrument was first switched on 30 October, it has undergone a series of functional and performance tests. The receiver gains, electronics data processing offsets and cold calibration position have all been optimised. The instrument noise levels are well within specification.     The image shows eight consecutive orbits of MHS channel H1 data from 1–2 November 2006 (channel H1 is a window channel that views the Earth’s surface).     The MHS instrument is a five channel, self-calibrating microwave radiometer operating in the 90 GHz to 190 GHz frequency range. The instrument data will be used to derive three dimensional water vapour profiles of the atmosphere. The MHS instrument, which also flies on the NOAA series of satellites, was procured directly by EUMETSAT and manufactured by EADS Astrium Ltd of Portsmouth, UK.      •  MetOp (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/LPmetop.html)  •  Story in pictures (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEMAEHO7BTE_LPmetop_0.html) Special features  •  MetOp-A launch (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEMGI9BUQPE_LPmetop_0.html)  •  Launch highlights (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEM5KPOFHTE_LPmetop_0.html) Related articles  •  IASI first measurement data available (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEMPDT8L6VE_LPmetop_0.html)  •  First Level-1 HIRS and AVHRR (IR) products (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEMPLGANMUE_LPmetop_0.html)  •  First GRAS bending angle shows instrument to be in excellent working order (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEMS84ANMUE_LPmetop_0.html)  •  Space Environment Monitor on MetOp-A switched-on and checked (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEMWKI0CYTE_LPmetop_0.html)  •  First images from MHS and GOME-2 on MetOp-A (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEMDSLZBYTE_LPmetop_0.html)  •  First instrument aboard MetOp-A successfully switched on (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEMHL5PFHTE_LPmetop_0.html)  •  Europe’s new MetOp weather satellite reaches polar orbit (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEMNKWAUQPE_LPmetop_0.html) In depth  •  About MHS (http://www.esa.int/esaLP/SEM7ADG23IE_LPmetop_0.html) Related links  •  EUMETSAT (http://www.eumetsat.int)