Aqua (EOS PM-1)

The name "Aqua" comes from the Latin word for water. The satellite was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base on May 4, 2002 aboard a Boeing Delta II rocket. Aqua is on a Sun-synchronous orbit. It flies leading the satellite formation called the "A Train" with several other satellites (Aura, CALIPSO, CloudSat and the French PARASOL).

Aqua (EOS PM-1)

• AMSR-E - Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer-EOS - measures cloud properties, sea surface temperature, near-surface wind speed, radiative energy flux, surface water, ice and snow. Furnished by the National Space Development Agency of Japan.
• MODIS - Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer, also measures cloud properties & radiative energy flux, also aerosol properties; land cover and land use change, fires and volcanos. This instrument is also aboard Terra.
• AMSU-A -Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit - measures atmospheric temperature and humidity.
• AIRS - Atmospheric Infrared Sounder - measures atmospheric temperature and humidity, land and sea surface temperatures.
• HSB - Humidity Sounder for Brazil - VHF band equipment measuring atmospheric humidity. Furnished by Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais of Brazil.
• CERES - Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System, Flying Models 3 and 4, measure broadband radiative energy flux.

The Aqua spacecraft has a mass of about 2,850 kg, plus propellant of about 230 kg(at launch). Stowed, the satellite is 2.68 m x 2.49 m x 6.49 m. Deployed, Aqua is 4.81 m x 16.70 m x 8.04 m.

See also

• Terra (satellite)
• Aura (satellite)

External links

• NASA Aqua site
• Aqua Mission Profile by NASA's Solar System Exploration

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