Ocean surface salinity remote sensing with the JPL Passive/Active L-/S-band (PALS) microwave instrument

Describes the measurements acquired by the aircraft Passive/Active L-/S-band (PALS) instrument from two field campaigns in 1999 and 2000. These measurements were in support of the development of ocean surface salinity remote sensing techniques for the future Aquarius space mission. The 2000 measurements demonstrated the aircraft radiometer stability of /spl plusmn/0.3 K over time periods of 30 minutes with a salinity measurement accuracy of 0.2 PSS (Practical Salinity Scale or parts per thousand).