Conceptual design study for an IMG follow-on instrument: atmospheric radiation spectrometer (ATRAS) proposed for mission demonstration satellite (MDS)

ATRAS (Atmospheric Radiation Spectrometer) is a nadir-looking Fourier Transform Spectrometer, which is a follow-on instrument of IMG onboard ADEOS satellite. ATRAS will have 0.05 (0.1 apodized) spectral resolution over 3 - 16 micron using 4 photo voltaic (InSb and/or PV-MCT) detectors. Objectives of ATRAS are to demonstrate the performance of high spectral resolution IR sounder using FTS technique on (1) monitoring of greenhouse gases, (2) operational temperature and water vapor sounding, and (3) monitoring of earth's radiation budget. ATRAS will have much better radiometric performance compared to the IMG. It was proposed to be launched onboard a Japanese small satellite, MDS-3 (Mission Demonstration Satellite). The mission strategy and results of conceptual design study of ATRAS will be discussed.