The Miranda (X4) Infra-Red Experiment: Design, Performance and Earth Radiance Measurements.

A description of the infra-red experiment carried on the UK Miranda (X4) satellite is given. The performance of the four pyro-electric detectors used in the experiment is described and details of the technique used for measuring the radiance of the earth in the band 14-16 micrometers are presented. Finally the measured radiance of the earth is shown for periods at monthly intervals from Mach to November 1974 and the implications of these results for the design of infrared earth sensors are discussed. (Author)