Interferometric technique for measuring upper atmospheric Doppler winds utilizing projections of a satellite's velocity

摘要

An apparatus on a satellite includes a standard fixed-path Michelson interferometer. The Michelson interferometer includes an input, at least one first output detector, and at least one second output detector. The Michelson interferometer includes a plurality of respective fields of view and a corresponding plurality of scanning azimuthal angles relative to a satellite velocity vector. The plurality of respective fields of view corresponds to a plurality of tangent points with constant tangent point height arranged around an Earth horizon circle. The apparatus includes an attitude determination and control system on the satellite, or an actuator on the satellite. The apparatus includes an input mirror and/or input optics in optical communication with the input of the Michelson interferometer. The attitude determination and control system rotates the satellite or the actuator rotates the input mirror and/or the input optics, so as to sweep through the plurality of respective fields of view around the Earth horizon circle.