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EO·Atlas / Sensors / SSMIS
Sensor · Spaceborne

SSMIS

Compiled from public sources on 2026-06-11. Not independently verified by Northrop Grumman.

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Missions → DMSP-F17 (Planned) , DMSP-F18 (Operational)

SSMIS is a conical-scanning passive microwave imager/sounder used on DMSP satellites.

Sensor

SSMIS (Special Sensor Microwave Imager/Sounder) is a conical-scanning passive microwave instrument that combines imaging and atmospheric sounding in a single unit, operated by the US Air Force on Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) satellites.[1][2] The instrument carries 24 channels spanning 19.35 GHz to 183.311 GHz, covering surface emission windows at 19.35, 22.235, and 37 GHz, an imaging channel at 91.655 GHz, a water-vapour window at 150 GHz, and water-vapour absorption channels near 183.311 GHz.[1] Swath width is 1707 km and fields of view vary by channel from approximately 13x14 km to 42x70 km.[1] Instrument mass is 96 kg and average power consumption is 135 W.[1]

SSMIS was built by Northrop Grumman and first flew on DMSP-F16, launched in October 2003.[3] Subsequent units flew on DMSP-F17 (2006), DMSP-F18 (2009), and DMSP-F19 (2014).[1] DMSP-F17 experienced noise degradation in its temperature-sounding channels from October 2017 onward.[1] Unlike the cross-track sounders that preceded it on DMSP (SSM/T), SSMIS uses conical scanning to maintain a consistent incidence angle across the swath.[2]

Operator pricing

Pricing not publicly listed by operator

Where this fits, supply chain

Compositional position

DMSP-F17 ——— this payload
DMSP-F18 ——— this payload
this ——— DMSP-F17 (Planned) flies on
this ——— DMSP-F18 (Operational) flies on
Methods this sensor implements
Demonstrated
  • Microwave atmospheric sounding

    SSMIS on DMSP F-16/F-17/F-18/F-19 demonstrates microwave atmospheric sounding; 24-channel conical-scan passive radiometer 19.35-183.31 GHz merging SSM/I imaging with SSM/T-1 and SSM/T-2 temperature/humidity sounding.

  • Multi-frequency microwave imaging radiometry

    SSMIS includes 9 conical-scanning imaging channels (19.35-91.655 GHz) that continue the SSM/I multi-frequency microwave imaging heritage; surface and precipitation retrievals alongside the sounding channels.

Capable, undemonstrated

None on record.

Topics this relates to
Atmospheric profilingMicrowave atmospheric sounding(demonstrated)well suited
DroughtMulti-frequency microwave imaging radiometry(demonstrated)well suited
Sea iceMulti-frequency microwave imaging radiometry(demonstrated)well suited
Snow water equivalentMulti-frequency microwave imaging radiometry(demonstrated)well suited
Soil moistureMulti-frequency microwave imaging radiometry(demonstrated)well suited
Crop stress and yieldMulti-frequency microwave imaging radiometry(demonstrated)adequate
Irrigation monitoringMulti-frequency microwave imaging radiometry(demonstrated)adequate
Ocean surface windsMulti-frequency microwave imaging radiometry(demonstrated)adequate
Permafrost and ground iceMulti-frequency microwave imaging radiometry(demonstrated)adequate
Sea surface temperatureMulti-frequency microwave imaging radiometry(demonstrated)adequate
Vector-borne disease riskMulti-frequency microwave imaging radiometry(demonstrated)adequate
Air qualityMulti-frequency microwave imaging radiometry(demonstrated)marginal
Coastal water qualityMulti-frequency microwave imaging radiometry(demonstrated)marginal
Groundwater and terrestrial water storageMulti-frequency microwave imaging radiometry(demonstrated)marginal
Inland waterMulti-frequency microwave imaging radiometry(demonstrated)marginal
Ocean heat contentMulti-frequency microwave imaging radiometry(demonstrated)marginal
Pasture and grazingMulti-frequency microwave imaging radiometry(demonstrated)marginal
Sources
Cite https://eo-atlas.org/products/sensor/ssmis Markdown twin → Field definitions → Suggest a correction →