Author_Institution :
NPOESS Integrated Office, Silver Spring, MD, USA
Abstract :
The VIIRS sensor provides measurements for 22 environmental data records (EDRs) addressing the atmosphere, ocean surface temperature, ocean color, land parameters, aerosols, imaging for clouds and ice, and more. That is, the VIIRS collects visible and infrared radiometric data of the Earth´s atmosphere, ocean, and land surfaces. Data types include atmospheric, clouds, Earth radiation budget, land/water and sea surface temperature, ocean color, and low light imagery. This wide scope of measurements calls for the preparation of a multiplicity of algorithm theoretical basis documents (ATBDs), and, additionally, for intermediate products such as cloud mask, et al. Furthermore, the VIIRS interacts with three or more other sensors. This paper addresses selected and crucial elements of the process being used to convert and test an immense volume of a maturing and changing science code to the initial operational source code in preparation for launch of NPP. The integrity of the original science code is maintained and enhanced via baseline comparisons when re-hosted, in addition to multiple planned code performance reviews.
Keywords :
artificial satellites; environmental factors; geophysical techniques; infrared imaging; radiometry; remote sensing; Earth atmosphere; Earth radiation budget; NPOESS VIIRS sensor; National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System; aerosols; algorithm theoretical basis documents; cloud mask; clouds; environmental data records; ice; infrared radiometric data; land parameters; land surface temperature; low light imagery; ocean color; ocean surface temperature; sea surface temperature; visible radiometric data; visible/infrared imager/radiometer suite; water temperature; Atmospheric measurements; Clouds; Infrared imaging; Land surface; Ocean temperature; Radiometry; Satellite broadcasting; Sea measurements; Sea surface; Temperature sensors;
