Welcome to the new version of CaltechAUTHORS. Login is currently restricted to library staff. If you notice any issues, please email coda@library.caltech.edu
Published June 2009 | Published
Journal Article Open

Cassini RADAR Sequence Planning and Instrument Performance

Abstract

The Cassini RADAR is a multimode instrument used to map the surface of Titan, the atmosphere of Saturn, the Saturn ring system, and to explore the properties of the icy satellites. Four different active mode bandwidths and a passive radiometer mode provide a wide range of flexibility in taking measurements. The scatterometer mode is used for real aperture imaging of Titan, high-altitude (around 20 000 km) synthetic aperture imaging of Titan and Iapetus, and long range (up to 700 000 km) detection of disk integrated albedos for satellites in the Saturn system. Two SAR modes are used for high- and medium-resolution (300-1000 m) imaging of Titan's surface during close flybys. A high-bandwidth altimeter mode is used for topographic profiling in selected areas with a range resolution of about 35 m. The passive radiometer mode is used to map emission from Titan, from Saturn's atmosphere, from the rings, and from the icy satellites. Repeated scans with differing polarizations using both active and passive data provide data that can usefully constrain models of surface composition and structure. The radar and radiometer receivers show very good stability, and calibration observations have provided an absolute calibration good to about 1.3 dB. Relative uncertainties within a pass and between passes can be even smaller. Data are currently being processed and delivered to the planetary data system at quarterly intervals one year after being acquired.

Additional Information

© 2009 IEEE. Manuscript received February 12, 2008; revised May 7, 2008. First published February 6, 2009; current version published May 22, 2009. This work was performed at the JPL, California Institute of Technology, under contract with the NASA.

Attached Files

Published - 04776451.pdf

Files

04776451.pdf
Files (862.0 kB)
Name Size Download all
md5:08830e8a40056f24501c5b78cad9ab79
862.0 kB Preview Download

Additional details

Created:
August 21, 2023
Modified:
October 23, 2023