WindSat
WindSat is a polarimetric microwave radiometer satellite developed by the U.S. Navy for the National Polar-orbiting Operation Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS). WindSat satellite measures ocean surface wind speed and direction based on radiometer observations. Airborne experiments have demonstrated that the microwave emission from the ocean surface varies based on wind speed and wind direction. Launched in January 2003, WindSat has successfully demonstrated the capability to extract the brightness temperature data from the microwave energy emitted by the ocean and generate data products that are down linked to users on the ground. INTERFEROMETRICS has supported development and operations of both the WindSat satellite and a precursor program to study the polarimetric signature of the ocean surface due to winds. INTERFEROMETRICS’ personnel have performed calibration and validation tasks in support of WindSat. They have developed and provided the software to do the warm and cold calibrations and determine coincidence of Windsat overflight data with buoys, radiosondes and other satellites based on ephemeris data along with appropriate geolocation corrections.