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Instrument

PolSCAT
Polarimetric Ku-Band Scatterometer

The Polarimetric Ku-band Scatterometer (PolSCAT) is an airborne polarimetric scanning scatterometer developed at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). It measures radar backscatter to determine ocean surface winds and snow water equivalent (SWE). PolSCAT operates at 13.95 GHz and can detect vertical and horizontal polarized radar echoes simultaneously. It has a footprint of 1 km by 0.7 km at a flight altitude of 8 km.

Image of PolSCAT instrument
NASA's DC-8 flying laboratory passes Antarctica's tallest peak, Mount Vinson, on Oct. 22, 2012, during a flight over the continent to measure changes in the massive ice sheet and sea ice. Credit: NASA/Michael Studinger (Photography courtesy NASA Images)

Overview

Instrument Details

Scatterometer
Earth Science > Spectral/engineering > Radar > Radar Backscatter
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation > Snow Water Equivalent
Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Winds > Surface Winds
Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Winds
Full Column Profile, Troposphere
Variable
1 km x 0.7 km
13.95 GHz
Currently unavailble

  • Steven J Dinardo, Deborah G. Vane

  • Steven J Dinardo

  • JPL

  • NASA

  • Overview PublicationExternal Link

    • Unpublished

Instrument Operation

High Winds

High Winds

2009
Labrador Sea, North Atlantic Ocean
view all deployment dates
1 Deployment
· 0 Data Products

Data Products