Overview

Jacobs Sula offers the capabilities to design, develop, integrate, test and verify complete microwave radiometers from 1GhHz to 1THz for ground, air or space applications.

We work closely with science users in all project phases: to develop and refine mission and instrument requirements; to develop and undertake design options and trade-offs; to define test requirements and techniques; and to evaluate instrument data obtained during commissioning and operation.

Recent activities undertaken by Jacobs Sula include:

• studies for the European Space Agency (ESA) of future meterological radiometer instruments for LEO, MEO and GEO
• payload lead for the EGPM Phase A study, with particular responsibility for the radiometer
• study for ESA of sub-mm wave imaging techniques and applications
• support to NASA, TRW and JPL for NASA EOS AQUA

• support to Astrium for the calibration of the MHS instruments
• support to Alcatel for an ESA study of MASTER/ACECHEM
• study for DTI/BNSC of ESA's MASTER instrument
• support to RAL for the MARSCHALS instrument
• provision to Reading University of a C-band radiometer for soil science research.

Examples of Projects

Phase A Study of EGPM
This ESA study, which addressed all aspects of the mission, was undertaken by a team led by Carlo Gavazzi Space. Jacobs Sula had overall responsibility for the payload, with special emphasis on ensuring mutual compatability between the precipitation radar and microwave radiometer (MWR). Jacobs Sula was also responsible for the MWR and was supported by a team the includes RAL and COM-DEV. The Jacobs Sula team developed a cost effective, low risk instrument design that was compatible with the demanding timescales imposed by the overall EGPM programme.

Next Generation Radiometers for Meteorology and Climatology
Jacobs Sula led a team that examined the scientific basis and derived the mission requirements for geostationary orbit (GEO) or a medium earth orbit (MEO) for the post MSG era. Mission and instrument concepts were examined, and a design and development plan derived. Design solutions concentrated on the use of sub-mm wave bands for imaging to enhance spatial resolution. Jacobs Sula were responsible for the study management, systems engineering, mission analysis, RF and mechanical engineering.

Prior to this Jacobs Sula led a similar study for ESA that looked at missions and instruments in low earth orbit (LEO) for the post MetOp era

Humidity Sounder for Brazil
HSB, orginally designed, developed and manufactured at the BAe/MMS Bristol site, is a a repeat build of the earlier AMSU-B design. The Jacobs Sula team was involved with HSB since its conception. Our experience covers project management, design management , antenna and receiver subsystems engineering as well as system analysis, integration and verification activities.

HSB was launched in May 2002 on NASA's EOS-Aqua, and Jacobs Sula supported all the associated pre-lauch activities including:

• instrument integration
• spacecraft test, including EMC
• radiometric validation and comprehensive performance tests
• launch preparations
• in-orbit analysis

Humidity Sounder for Brazil

Study of Sub-Milimeter Wave Imagery
Jacobs Sula led a study for ESA to assess the scientific impact of, and derive concepts for, sub-mm wave imagers for space applications in the time frame 2010-2018. The study determined the applications and mission scenarios for which sub-mmw wave imaging technology offers significant advantages. Broad areas of remote sensing were considered including: terrestrial sciences, planetary sciences and astronomy.

Critical Design Features of Microwave Imagers
This is a study for BNSC considered some of the most critical design features of a conically scanning microwave imager. The study concentrated on instrument performance modelling, antenna design particularly optimisation of the antenna feed arrangement , RF performance and configuration of the cold calibration reflector, and thermal and RF assessments of new, lightweight internal calibration targets. A follow-on study enabled Jacobs Sula to investigate the required mechanisms for the scanning subsystem and to produce a prototype calibration target.

Limbsounders for Atmospheric Chemistry Research
The Jacobs Sula team has worked with ESA for nearly ten years to define and develop instruments that will be used to study atmospheric chemistry, particularly tropospheric - stratospheric exchanges associated with ozone depletion. The MASTER instrument was part of ESA's ACECHEM mission, and Jacobs Sula supported the assessment of this mission for ESA. In addition we led a UK team studying critical technology issues for MASTER, funded by DTI/BNSC as part of the NEWTON programme.

MARSCHALS is an aircraft demonstrator for MASTER being produced by RAL. Jacobs Sula supported the design of the antenna pointing mechanism controller and the calibration process.