PROJECT TITLE :

Localization of RFI Sources for the SMOS Mission: A Means for Assessing SMOS Pointing Performances

ABSTRACT:

Artificial sources emitting within the protected half of the L-band are contaminating the retrievals of the soil moisture and ocean salinity (SMOS) satellite launched by the European Area Agency (ESA) in November 2009. Detecting and pinpointing such sources is crucial for the advance of SMOS science merchandise plus for the identification of the emitters. In this contribution, we tend to gift a method to obtain snapshot-wise info regarding sources of radio-frequency interference (RFI). The localization accuracy of this methodology is also assessed for observed RFI sources. We have a tendency to conjointly show that RFI localizations represent a useful data set for assessing the pointing performance of the satellite, and present how it's possible, using the results of this methodology, to spot and estimate two systematic errors within the geo-location of the satellite field of view. The potential causes and therefore the approaches to mitigate each these errors are mentioned.