As a consequence, and following an idea suggested by Nemesio, we will endeavour to post every day for the next 8 days a small story on SMOS…
Today let us reminisce a little…
SMOS (and Proba) under the shroud and then on the Launch pad
At the end of October 2009, the satellite (SMOS on a PROTEUS platform), with its friend Proba, was packaged on a Rockot launcher and launched smoothly, accurately and efficiently on its orbit on November 2 2009. All the deployment (solar panels, arms loaded with antennas) went also a clockwork to enable the reception and processing of the first image ever taken from space at L band with an interferometer on November 17th.
Crucial moment: Arms are being deployed
The First Soil moisture Map
Yes! this is indeed the first ever soil moisture image made from a space borne interferometer. Obviously it is not perfect but it simply showed that it worked!! the next challenge was to retrieve Sea surface Salinity… and improve the soil moisture retrievals stay tuned