Applications of microwave vacuum tube amplifiers in earth and space science

This talk will present a brief overview of the history of microwave tubes in NASA's earth and space science missions, a snap shot of where the application of these tubes finds itself today and a brief glimpse into the future direction of microwave amplifier requirements. Challenges and risks unique to earth and space science applications will be discussed, as well as strategies to meet those challenges and mitigate those risks. The talk will describe the system trade space in which amplifier requirements are derived and how constraints on other system elements can affect amplifier requirements.