IASI-NG program: A new generation of Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer

Further to the outstanding results of the first generation of Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) instrument [1] in the fields of operational meteorology, air quality, atmospheric chemistry, and climate monitoring [2], the Centre National d´Etudes Spatiales (CNES), i.e. the French national space agency, decided in 2010 to develop the New Generation of the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI-NG). With notable improvements on spectral and radiometric performances compared with the first generation, IASI-NG will be a CNES contribution to the EUMETSAT Polar System Second Generation (EPS-SG) program [3] which aims to provide continuity of observations for weather forecasting, atmospheric chemistry and climate change in the 2020 to 2040 timeframe. IASI-NG is a key element of the payload of the METOP-SG A series of European meteorological polar-orbiting satellites Second Generation [4]. The first flight model in this series is scheduled for launch by early 2020 decade. IASI-NG represents a significant technological and scientific step forward that will provide meteorologists with atmospheric emission spectra to derive temperature and humidity profiles. The instrument is designed to measure atmospheric spectra in the infrared. It is composed of a Fourier Transform Spectrometer (FTS) with a field compensation device and an associated imager. This paper will present the objectives and the outlines of the IASI-NG program with focus on CNES involvements in this cooperation for the development and operations of the IASI-NG instruments.