NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP): Cross-track Infrared Microwave Sounder Sensors (CrIMSS) characterization and performance validation plan

Abstract

The U.S. National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) is a satellite system being developed to monitor global environmental conditions and collect and disseminate data related to weather, atmosphere, oceans, land and near-space environment. The NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP) mission is a joint effort involving the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the NPOESS Integrated Program Office (IPO). The NPP mission is currently scheduled to launch in 2010. NPP has two objectives: to extend the measurement trends begun by the NASA EOS missions and to validate four of the primary NPOESS sensors. The CrIMSS will provide the atmospheric vertical temperature and moisture profiles, two of the NPOESS key Environmental Data Records (EDRs). Two sensors, the Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS) and the Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS) provide the input data to the CrIMSS retrieval algorithm. This talk will detail the calibration and validation programs being executed for these two sensors, and the retrieval algorithm. The discussion will include prelaunch testing, with a performance summary, validation planning activities and exercises, and post launch validation plan status. The launch ready calibration/validation plan is scheduled to be ready for release November, 2008 and the status of the plan will also be briefed.