NSSDCA ID: 1987-053A-01
Mission Name: DMSP 5D-2/F08The Operational Linescan System (OLS) is the primary experiment on the DMSP Block 5D spacecraft. The purpose of this experiment is to provide global day and night observations of cloud cover and measurements of cloud temperature. The OLS employs a scanning optical telescope driven in an oscillating motion, with optical compensation for image motion, which results in near-constant resolution throughout the sensor field of view. The radiometer operates in two ("light" and "thermal") spectral intervals: (1) visible and near infrared (0.4 to 1.1 micrometers) and (2) infrared (10.2 to 12.8 micrometers). The radiometer produces, with onboard processing, data in four modes: LF (light fine) and TF (thermal fine) data with a resolution of .56 km, and LS (light smoothed) and TS (thermal smoothed) data, with a resolution of 2.8 km. There are four onboard recorders, and each has a storage capability of 400 min of both LS and TS data or 20 min of LF and TF data. For direct readout to tactical sites, the experiment is programmed so that LF and TS data are obtained at night. The infrared data (TF and TS) cover a temperature range of 190 to 310 deg K with an accuracy of 1 deg K. The LS data mode provides visual data through a dynamic range from full sunlight down to a quarter moon. This mode also automatically adjusts the gain along the scan to allow useful data to be obtained across the terminator. Additional information on this experiment is contained in the report by D. A. Nichols, "Primary optical subsystems for DMSP Block 5D," Optical Engineering, v. 14, n. 4, p. 279, July-August, 1975.
Questions and comments about this experiment can be directed to: Coordinated Request and User Support Office
Name | Role | Original Affiliation | |
---|---|---|---|
Principal Investigator | Global Weather Center |