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SMAP measurement geometry showing radiometer and low-resolution radar swath
Credit: NASA.
SMAP Measurement Geometry Showing Radiometer and Low-Resolution Swath
[19-Jul-2018] SMAP's orbital motion combined with the spin of its antenna (14.6 revolutions per minute) sweeps a small field of view in a series of overlapping loops (inset) that creates a swath 1000 km (621 mi) wide (pink area). This large swath coverage allows SMAP to make complete maps of the Earth every 2 to 3 days. After 8 days, the same swath is repeated.

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