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Aqua (EOS PM-1) is a multi-national NASA scientific research satellite in orbit around the Earth, studying the precipitation, evaporation, and cycling of water. It is the second major component of the Earth Observing System (EOS) following on Terra (launched 1999) and followed by Aura (launched 2004).
The name "Aqua" comes from the Latin word for water. The satellite was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base on May 4, 2002 aboard a Boeing Delta II rocket.
Aqua carries 6 instruments for studies of water on the earth's surface and in the atmosphere:
- AMSR/E - Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer-EOS - measures cloud properties, radiative energy flux, surface water, ice and snow. Furnished by the National Space Development Agency of Japan.
- MODIS - Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer, also measures cloud properties & radiative energy flux, also aerosol properties; land cover and land use change, fires and volcanos.
- AMSU -Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit - measures atmospheric temperature and humidity.
- AIRS - Atmospheric Infrared Sounder - measures atmospheric temperature and humidity, land and sea surface temperatures.
- HSB - Humidity Sounder for Brazil - VHF band equipment measuring atmospheric humidity. Furnished by Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais of Brazil.
- CERES - Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System - measures radiative energy flux
The Aura spacecraft has a mass of about 1,750 kg. The body is 6.5 m long with the extended single solar panel about 15 m.
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