Work

Millimeter- and Submillimeter-Wave Technologies for Space Passive Remote Sensing Instruments

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This paper presents an overview of the passive remote sensing instruments and missions in the millimeter (30-300 GHz) and sub-millimeter wave domain (300 GHz-3 THz) which provided successfully key weather data of the Earth’s atmosphere, in-depth scientific observations of planets’ and comets’ atmospheres over the last 20 years, and the underlying technologies which allows for these instruments to demonstrate state-of-the-art sensitivities, accuracies and spectral resolutions. A review of the key constitutive RF technologies and receiver building blocks is performed, as well as technological prospects and on-going developments required for future space passive remote sensing missions, in the light of “New Space” approach, short project lifetime cycles, with the use of disruptive technologies to make leapfrogs in this very dynamic field.

Source: IEEE Journal of Microwaves

DOI: 10.1109/jmw.2025.3605998

Authors: Bertrand Thomas, Petri Piironen, David Cuadrado-Calle, Enrico Lia, Natanael Ayllon

Institution: European Space Research and Technology Centre

Language: English

Topic: Superconducting and THz Device Technology

Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,075

Funder: European Space Agency