CNES has given the go-ahead for the Megha-Tropiques project, designed to study the water cycle in the tropical belt. This joint mission with the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) will focus on important issues affecting the development of nations in this part of the world.
Data collected will help to better understand the formation of cyclones and seasonal monsoon variations. Circling Earth in a 20¿ low-inclined orbit at an altitude of 800 km, the Megha-Tropiques satellite will be capable of imaging any point in the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) up to 6 times a day.
It will be carrying a payload of three instruments: the MADRAS microwave imaging radiometer, to study precipitation and cloud properties, the SAPHIR microwave sounder, to measure distribution of atmospheric water vapour, and the SCARAB radiometer, to measure irradiative fluxes at the top of the atmosphere.
Megha-Tropiques' instruments will provide simultaneous measurements of the elements of the atmospheric water cycle and measure the radiation budget at the top of the atmosphere.
These data will help scientists, for example, to quantify the role of tropical cyclones in the energy balance-something current weather. Current climatologic satellites cannot do this. CNES and ISRO will share joint responsibility for the satellite and science missions, with CNES acting as prime contractor for some of the instruments.
