Sensor · Spaceborne

MHS

Compiled from public sources on 2026-06-11. Not independently verified by Airbus Defence and Space.

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Missions → MetOp-A (Ended) , MetOp-B (Operational) , MetOp-C (Operational)

MHS is a cross-track passive microwave humidity sounder flown on operational meteorological satellites.

Sensor

MHS (Microwave Humidity Sounder) is a cross-track passive microwave radiometer designed for atmospheric humidity profiling. It operates five channels at 89 GHz, 157 GHz, 183.311+/-1 GHz, 183.311+/-3 GHz, and 190.311 GHz.^[1] The second channel at 157 GHz is a window channel distinct from the 150 GHz channel carried by its predecessor AMSU-B.^[1] MHS provides tropospheric water-vapour profiles and is used operationally in numerical weather prediction.^[2]

MHS was built by Astrium Ltd under contract to EUMETSAT.^[3] It succeeded AMSU-B starting with NOAA-18, and flew on NOAA-18, NOAA-19, MetOp-A, MetOp-B, and MetOp-C.^[1]^[4] On MetOp platforms it operates alongside AMSU-A, providing complementary humidity profiling to AMSU-A temperature soundings.^[3]

Where this fits, supply chain

Compositional position

MetOp-A ——— this payload

MetOp-B ——— this payload

MetOp-C ——— this payload

this ——— MetOp-A (Ended) flies on

this ——— MetOp-B (Operational) flies on

this ——— MetOp-C (Operational) flies on

Sources

[1]WMO OSCAR - Details for Instrument MHSagency doc2026-06-11
[2]ESA MetOp - About MHSagency doc2026-06-11
[3]EUMETSAT - Microwave Humidity Sounder (MHS)operator engineering2026-06-11
[4]NOAA MIRS - MHS Instrumentoperator engineering2026-06-11

Cite https://eo-atlas.org/products/sensor/mhs Markdown twin → Field definitions →