Best practice for pre-launch characterization and calibration of instruments for remote sensing

Abstract

The pre-launch characterization and calibration of remote sensing instruments should be planned and carried out in conjunction with their design and development to meet the mission requirements. In the case of infrared instruments, the onboard calibrators such as blackbodies and the sensors such as spectral radiometers should be characterized and calibrated using SI traceable standards. In the case of earth remote sensing, this allows intercomparison and intercalibration of different sensors in space to create global time series of climate records of high accuracy where some inevitable data gaps can be easily bridged. In the case of ballistic missile defense, this provides sensor quality assurance based on SI traceable measurements. The recommended best practice for this pre-launch effort is presented based on experience gained at National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) working with National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Department of Defense (DoD) programs in the past two decades. Examples of infrared standards and calibration facilities at NIST for serving the remote sensing community will be discussed.