Sentinel-2 Level-L Radiometry Validation Using Vicarious Methods from Dimitri Database

Abstract

Sentinel-2 is an Earth Observation optical mission developed and operated by the European Space Agency (ESA) in the frame of the Copernicus program of the European Commission. The mission consists on a MultiSpectral Instruments (MSI) on board a constellation of two satellites flying on the same orbit but phased at 180°: Sentinel-2A launched in June 2015 and Sentinel-2B launched in March 2017. It covers the Earth's land surfaces and inland and coastal waters every five days at the equator under the same viewing conditions with high spatial resolution and wide field of view. Accurate radiometric calibration is key to the success of the mission; therefore, in-orbit calibration and validation activities are conducted within the Sentinel-2 Mission Performance Centre (MPC), including a consortium of Expert Support Laboratories (ESL). The Database of Imaging Multispectral Instrument and Tool for Radiometric Intercomparison (DIMITRI) is used to perform the vicarious validation of Level-l products delivered to users. The aims of this validation are 1) to assess the quality of the data product at Level-1, 2) to monitor the evolution of the radiometry of both instruments and 3) to ensure that the products meet the mission requirement accuracy. Three vicarious methods are used, such as Rayleigh scattering, Desert Pseudo- Invariant Calibration Sites (PICS) and Sensor-to-Sensor intercalibration methods. Although the results indicate good stability and performance of both sensors MSI-A/B, a slight discrepancy between them of ~1 % over desert sites could be observed. Slight decrease of band B8A (865 nm) signal over Algeria-3 site has been detected since April 2017. This effect seems to be related to the impact of human and industry activities near the area. Radiometric performances and image quality of Sentinel-2 MSI-A/B level-1C products appear stable and meet the mission requirements.