ATSR2

The Along Track Scanning Radiometer 2 (ATSR2) was a satellite instrument designed to measure infrared and microwave radiation emitted by the Earth's surface and atmosphere. It was part of the European Space Agency's (ESA) Earth Observation Programme and was launched aboard the European Remote Sensing 2 (ERS-2) satellite on April 21, 1995. ATSR2 was an advanced version of the Along Track Scanning Radiometer (ATSR), which was launched aboard ERS-1 in 1991.

ATSR2 was primarily used for monitoring sea surface temperature (SST), which is crucial for understanding ocean-atmosphere interactions and climate change. It also provided valuable data for studying land surface temperature, snow and ice cover, and atmospheric water vapor. The instrument operated in three spectral channels: one in the visible and near-infrared range, one in the thermal infrared range, and one in the microwave range.

ATSR2 had a swath width of approximately 500 kilometers and a spatial resolution of about 1 kilometer. It collected data continuously during the day and night, providing global coverage every three days. The data from ATSR2 was used by scientists and researchers worldwide to study various aspects of the Earth's climate and environment.

The ERS-2 satellite, which carried ATSR2, operated until July 5, 2011, when it was decommissioned after a successful mission. The data collected by ATSR2 has been instrumental in advancing our understanding of the Earth's climate system and continues to be used in climate research and applications.