The Humidity Sounder for Brazil - an international partnership

The Humidity Sounder for Brazil (HSB) is a crucial component of the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) sounding suite and a valuable contribution from Brazil to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration´s Aqua mission. Its design and functionality are practically identical to that of the Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit-B - proven on the latest National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration´s weather satellites. We briefly discuss its heritage, the measurement concept and principle of operation, and the design. The complex multinational acquisition process employed for HSB is described, along with the approach to be used for operations, derivation of radiometric and geophysical data products, and validation of those products - with emphasis on activities in Brazil. We also describe postlaunch research plans and discuss the importance of humidity observations in tropical regions like Brazil.