On Friday, 18 September 2015, RapidScat echo power spontaneously increased
by 20 dB, returning to its pre-anomaly level. Other anomaly signatures, such
as scatterometer electronics current, also seem to have returned to their
pre-anomaly values. This event corresponded in a return to nominal
signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), which was first noticed on orbital rev number
5601. After subsequent data quality assessment, the RapidScat team commanded
the instrument to return to its nominal attenuator setting on orbital rev
5614. Moving forward from orbital rev 5616, the L2B version 1.1 data have
been processed consistently with pre-anomaly data corresponding with orbital
revs 161 to 5063. Normal distribution of RapidScat science data to
operational users has now resumed.
The RapidScat anomaly investigation team will continue to compare current
data to the pre-August 14 data, and move forward in assessing potential
causes of the reduced echo power in light of this new development.
The RapidScat calibration and validation team will continue to the review
the data collected while the low echo power prevailed, as well as review the
data now being produced. Cross-calibration with QuikSCAT data has
resumed.
Concerned data users who are not currently registered with the PO.DAAC
email list are encouraged to register to receive timely data announcement
updates via email by contacting podaac@podaac.jpl.nasa.gov.
PO.DAAC User Services