SMAP Measurement Geometry Showing Radiometer and Low-Resolution Swath
Alt Tag: SMAP measurement geometry showing radiometer and low-resolution radar swath.
Description: 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. Credit: NASA.