FLORAD mission: Millimeter-wave atmospheric remote sensing through mini-satellites flower constellation

In this paper requirements, specifications and preliminary system design of a mini-satellite flower constellation for millimeter-wave atmospheric observations are presented together with the main payload technological characteristics. This work has been performed in the frame of FLORAD Phase A project (mini-satellite FLOwer constellation of millimeter-wave RADiometers for atmospheric observations), a feasibility study for a small scientific mission funded by the Italian Space Agency.