What is the Topex Poseidon used for?
TOPEX/Poseidon (or simply T/P) is a cooperative Earth observation mission of the USA and France (NASA/JPL and CNES as partners) with the overall objective to provide high-accuracy global sea level (ocean height) measurements in coordinates relative to the center of the Earth.
How is the position of the Topex Poseidon satellite determined?
Measurement Process TOPEX/Poseidon’s primary instrument for measuring ocean topography is an altimeter. The altimeter bounces a microwave pulse off the surface of the ocean. By measuring how long it takes the signal to return, the altimeter determines the distance between the satellite and the ocean surface.
How did Topex Poseidon accurately measure and map the ocean floor?
How did TOPEX/Poseidon accurately measure and map the ocean floor? The TOPEX/Poseidon used its Radar Altimetry Apparatus to measure the sea surface heights. This was done by bouncing radar waves off the ocean surface and measuring the return time to the satellite.
What does Topex stand for?
TOPEX
| Acronym | Definition |
|---|---|
| TOPEX | Ocean Topography Experiment |
| TOPEX | Typhoon Operational Experiment |
| TOPEX | Topographical Explorer |
| TOPEX | The Ocean Topography Experiment POSEIDON |
What is Poseidon’s home?
Mount Olympus
| Poseidon | |
|---|---|
| Abode | Mount Olympus, or the Sea |
| Symbol | Trident, fish, dolphin, horse, bull |
| Personal information | |
| Parents | Cronus and Rhea |
What is the flagship satellite of NASA’s Earth science missions?
Terra Mission
Terra Mission (EOS/AM-1) The US provided the spacecraft, the launch, and three instruments developed by NASA (CERES, MISR, MODIS). Japan provided ASTER and Canada MOPITT. The Terra spacecraft is considered the flagship of NASA’s EOS (Earth Observing Satellite) program.
Is Topex a word?
EAC was on a groove to start the match, with Coach Topex Robinson’s starters struggling to find any offensive rhythm. Lyceum coach Topex Robinson is leaving the ruckus behind though….TOPEX.
| Acronym | Definition |
|---|---|
| TOPEX | Topology Ocean Experiment |
How does an altimeter work?
The altimeter measures the height of an aircraft above a fixed level. The instrument senses this by taking the ambient air pressure from the static port. Inside the altimeter is a sealed disc called an aneroid, or bellows. As the aircraft goes up, the pressure inside the case decreases and the bellows expand.
What kind of spacecraft is the TOPEX Poseidon?
The TOPEX/Poseidon spacecraft design was based on the existing Multimission Modular Satellite (MMS) bus flown on the French/CNES SPOT 2 spacecraft. The TOPEX/Poseidon spacecraft consisted of the MMS and the instrument module housing the sensors.
How big is the TOPEX Poseidon solar array?
The TOPEX/Poseidon spacecraft design is based on the Fairchild MMS (Multimission Modular Satellite) bus (with a heritage of Solar Maximum Mission and Landsat-4 and -5). The platform size is: 5.5 m in length, 6.6 m in height, and 2.8 m in width (span length of 11.5 m); the solar array size is 8.9 m x 3.3 m.
Why was the Poseidon eoportal satellite so important?
From this information, ocean circulation patterns can be mapped. The T/P data analysis helps to understand how the oceans interact with the atmosphere, and improve our ability to predict the global climate. NASA provided the satellite bus, five instruments, and is responsible for spacecraft operations.
How often does the Poseidon spacecraft orbit the Earth?
The spacecraft orbit was designed to cover 90% of the global ocean every 11 days. The lifetime of TOPEX/Poseidon is expected to be 3 to 5 years. Born, G. H., et al., Topex: Observing the oceans from space, EOS, 65, No. 28, 433-434, July 1984.
