The MOS (Modular Optoelectronic Scanner) instrument, has been developed by the German Centre for Remote Sensing - Deutsches Fernerkundungsdatenzentrum (DFD), which is part of the DLR agency.

Figure 1. MOS Instrument.

MOS is a spectometer that works in the visible and near infrared zones of the electromagnetic spectrum (400 – 1000nm). In each pass, a 200 km wide strip is covered.

The 18 channels operating in MOS are divided into three groups: MOS-A, MOS-B and MOS-C. The four channels for atmospherical spectrum in MOS-A are centred around 760 nm with 14 nm width. The bio-spectometer MOS-B consists of 13 channels, 10 nm wide, distributed between 408 and 1010 nm. MOS-C is another bio-spectometer operating in the shortwave infrared (1600 nm) with 100 nm width.

MOS-A channels are used in measurements to determine the aerosol and stratospherical aerosol optical thickness. Those in MOS-B are distributed considering the optical properties of the oceans and coastal zones. Data from MOS-C is used for estimating surfaces limits and topography, as well as for improving surface temperature measurements and rugosity estimations.

Table 1. MOS Instrument.

Type	Spectral resolution	Spatial resolution	Radiometric resolution
MOS A	4 bands (4 Near IR)	1570 m.	16 bits
MOS B/C	13+1 bands (8 visible, 5 Near IR +1 IR Mid)	520 m.	16 bits

Table 2. Explorer module.

Tipo*	Swath*	Ángulo de barrido	IFOV	Resolución espacial
MOS A	195 Km.	8º a c/lado del nadir	0.34º x 13.6º	1570 x 1400 m. nadir
MOS B/C	200 Km.		0.094º x 14º	520 x 520 m. nadir
*La longitud máxima del pase es aproximadamente 3300 Km. N-S

1 MOS Instrument .... 2 MOS Archiving .... 3 CREPAD Products ....