SMOS/MIRAS Arm structure - The data obtained from the SMOS (Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity) ESA mission, will improve climatological forecasts and increase the knowledge of the global water cycle and its connection to meteorology. These will give scientists a full insight of phenomena such as El Niño, causing floodings or droughts; and permit the monitoring of the planet's fresh water reserves. EADS CASA Espacio is the prime contractor of the sole instrument of the mission, called MIRAS, a Microwave Imaging Radiometer with Aperture Synthesis. Its 3 arms, made in carbon fibre, hold the 66 L band receptors, through which the measurements will be obtained. SMOS is for launch in March of 2007. |