SSUSI - Horizon-to-horizon and limb-viewing spectrographic imager for remote sensing of environmental parameters

We review some of the features of the Special Sensor Ultraviolet Spectrographic Imager (SSUSI) and describe the environmental parameters that will be produced on an operational basis from this instrument's data. The associated algorithms are summarized. SSUSI consists of a scanning imaging spectrograph (SIS) whose field-of-view is scanned from horizon to horizon and a nadir-looking photometer system (NPS). The SIS produces simultaneous monochromatic images at five 'colors' in the spectral range 115nm to 180nm. The NPS consists of three photometers with filters designed to monitor the airglow at 427.8nm and 630nm and the terrestrial albedo near 630nm. SSUSI will fly on the DMSP Block 5D3 satellites S-16 through S-19. In a companion paper we provide more details on the Special Sensor Ultraviolet Spectrographic Imager (SSUSI).