Observations and Calibrations of DMSP F15 SSM Data December 1999 - October 2000
Abstract
This report relates the precise calibration study and other observations of data from the Special Sensor Magnetometer (SSM) mounted on a boom aboard the sun-synchronous, polar-orbiting Fl5 satellite of the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) at about 850Km altitude. Data was surveyed for the period from launch in December 1999 until October 2000. The efforts described concentrated upon discerning a more precise in-flight calibration of the SSM instrument, examining the precision of that calibration, noting any unusual phenomena measured by the instrument, and searching for any artifacts caused by the mounting of the sensor upon a 5m boom instead of the upon the body of the spacecraft. Calibration methods, the resulting calibration, and the accuracy of those calibrations are described. Features of the measured ionospheric magnetic field after calibration are illustrated, and attempts are made to attribute those errors to particular sources. The magnetic field impact and mathematical behavior of potential boom-induced artifacts are analyzed and compared to the observed data. The presence, absence, and removal of such features is discussed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 10, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA419157
Entities
People
- L. E. Sexton
- Neil I. Miller