When Aqua was launched in 2002, its planned lifespan was six years. More than two decades later, it is still providing essential data about Earth's water cycle. Its six instruments collect information about everything from clouds to soil moisture to sea ice.
Type
Data Center
Launch
Objective
Instruments Aboard Aqua
Instrument Name | Operational Date(s) | Spectral Resolution | Type of Instrument |
---|---|---|---|
Atmospheric Infrared Sounder | 2002 - present | 2378 infrared channels in the 3.74 to 15.4 micron spectral range |
Sounder |
Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer EOS | 6 bands: 6.9 to 89 GHz with 0.3 to 1.1 K radiometric sensitivity |
Spectrometers/ Radiometers | |
Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit-A | 15 channel microwave sounder with a frequency range of 15-90 GHz |
Profilers/Sounders | |
Clouds and Earth's Radiant Energy System | 0.3-5 µm (SW), 0.3-200 µm (TOT) and 8-12 µm (WN) channels |
Spectrometers/Radiometers | |
Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System Flight Model 1 | 0.3-5 µm (SW), 0.3-200 µm (TOT) and 8-12 µm (WN) channels |
Spectrometers/Radiometers | |
Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System Flight Model 2 | 0.3-5 µm (SW), 0.3-200 µm (TOT) and 8-12 µm (WN) channels |
Spectrometers/Radiometers | |
Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System Prototype Flight Model | Spectrometers/Radiometers | ||
Humidity Sounder for Brazil | Four channels: 1 at 150 GHz, 3 at 183 GHz |
Profiler/Sounder | |
Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer | 36 spectral bands ranging in wavelength from 0.4 µm to 14.4 µm |
Spectrometers/Radiometers |
Frequently Asked Questions
Earthdata Forum
Our online forum provides a space for users to browse thousands of FAQs about research needs, data, and data applications. You can also submit new questions for our experts to answer.
Submit Questions to Earthdata Forumand View Expert Responses