TES is a high-resolution infrared-imaging Fourier transform spectrometer offers a line-width-limited discrimination of essentially all radiatively active molecular species in the Earth's lower atmosphere.

TES has significantly more the spectral resolution of the AIRS instrument being flown aboard EOS Aqua. TES employs both the natural thermal emission of the surface and atmosphere and reflected sunlight, thereby providing day-night coverage anywhere on the globe.

TES operates in a combination of limb and nadir mode (called global survey mode) every other. On alternate days, TES does special observations including "step and stare" mode and assessment of special targets like volcanoes.

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  TES Parameters

Maximum sampling time of 16 sec, signal-to-noise ratio of 600:1 Name Parameter Limb mode: Altitude coverage = 0-34 km Nadir and limb viewing (fully targetable) Spectral region: 3.2 to 15.4 µm, with four single-line arrays optimized for different spectral regions Swath: 5.3 x 8.5 km Spatial resolution: 0.53 x 5.3 km Mass: 385 kg (allocation) Duty cycle: Variable Power: 334 W (allocation) Data rate: 6.2 Mbps (peak); 4.9 Mbps (average) Thermal control by: 2 Stirling cycle coolers, heater, radiators Thermal operating range: 0-30” C FOV: +45” to -72” along-track, ±45” cross-track Instrument IFOV: 12 x 7.5 mrad Pointing requirements (platform+instrument, 3s): Control: 156 arcsec (pitch) Knowledge: 124 arcsec Stability: 156 arcsec (over 50 sec) Physical size: 140 x 130 x 135 cm (stowed); 304 x 130 x 135 cm (deployed)