The 3MI mission on-board EPS-SG: a multi-spectral multi-polarization multi-directional imager for operational characterization of aerosol and cloud

Abstract

The 3MI instrument is one of the missions of the EPS-SG program to be launched in 2021. This polarimetric mission is a heritage of the POLDER mission, with improved capabilities and now placed in a fully operational long- term framework. The spectral range was extended from the visible-near-infrared (410 to 910nm) to the shortwave- infrared domain (up to 2200nm). The spatial resolution (4km at nadir) and the swath (2200×2200km2) were also improved compared to previous POLDER instruments. The 3MI concept of the multi-viewing, multi-spectral and multi- polarized Imaging will be described, especially how these 3 information are acquired together with one instrumental concept that remains simple. The performance necessary to meet the mission requirements will be initially reached before launch through a fully dedicated ground campaign and maintained once in orbit through an extensive vicarious calibration strategy. The level 1 products available to the users will be geolocated Stokes vectors on the native geometry (Level 1B) and geoprojected multi-directional and spectral Stokes vectors (Level 1C). Level-2 products will provide geophysical and microphysical parameters for aerosol and clouds. The presentation will detail the 3MI concept, overview the mission characteristics, and browse the foreseen ground campaign and in-flight strategy necessary to reach the performance, as well as the products available to the users.