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https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-1186
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-1186
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Preprints
09 Jul 2026
 | 09 Jul 2026
Status: this preprint is open for discussion and under review for Atmospheric Measurement Techniques (AMT).

The NASA Microwave Barometric Radar and Sounder (MBARS) airborne instrument and initial flight results

Matthew L. Walker McLinden, Bing Lin, Nikki Prive, Gerald M. Heymsfield, Lihua Li, Steven Harrah, Peter Pantina, Kevin Horgan, and Skylar Hoffert

Abstract. The Microwave Barometric Radar and Sounder (MBARS) is a new airborne instrument developed to demonstrate the remote sensing capability of atmospheric sea level pressure (SLP) using a combination of a differential absorption radar (DAR) and a microwave radiometer. The MBARS radar is a near-nadir pointing DAR that operates on the upper side of the V-band oxygen absorption feature, with channels around 65.5, 67.75, and 70 GHz. MBARS recently flew a series of test flights and a science flight on the NASA high-altitude ER-2 aircraft. This paper describes the scientific motivation for the development of MBARS as well as the system hardware, aircraft integration, recent flight activities, and retrieval results. Data from recent flights are presented, showing successful SLP retrievals consistent with science requirements and demonstrating potential for spaceborne applications.

How to cite. Walker McLinden, M. L., Lin, B., Prive, N., Heymsfield, G. M., Li, L., Harrah, S., Pantina, P., Horgan, K., and Hoffert, S.: The NASA Microwave Barometric Radar and Sounder (MBARS) airborne instrument and initial flight results, EGUsphere [preprint], https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-1186, 2026.
Received: 03 Mar 2026 – Discussion started: 09 Jul 2026
Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this paper. While Copernicus Publications makes every effort to include appropriate place names, the final responsibility lies with the authors. Views expressed in the text are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher.
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Matthew L. Walker McLinden, Bing Lin, Nikki Prive, Gerald M. Heymsfield, Lihua Li, Steven Harrah, Peter Pantina, Kevin Horgan, and Skylar Hoffert

Status: open (until 13 Aug 2026)

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Matthew L. Walker McLinden, Bing Lin, Nikki Prive, Gerald M. Heymsfield, Lihua Li, Steven Harrah, Peter Pantina, Kevin Horgan, and Skylar Hoffert
Matthew L. Walker McLinden, Bing Lin, Nikki Prive, Gerald M. Heymsfield, Lihua Li, Steven Harrah, Peter Pantina, Kevin Horgan, and Skylar Hoffert
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Latest update: 09 Jul 2026
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Short summary
Accurate atmospheric pressure measurements are critical for weather forecasting, but there is no operational method to measure it remotely. The Microwave Barometric Radar and Sounder (MBARS) is a new radar that uses the absorption of microwave signals by atmospheric oxygen to retrieve sea level pressure from aircraft. Data from flights on NASA’s ER-2 aircraft demonstrate successful retrievals, showing this technique could be deployed through airborne campaigns and future satellite missions.
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