The Visible/Infrared Imager/Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) will be the operational imaging instrument on three NPOESS satellites, in Sun-synchronous orbits at altitudes of 833 km. The VIIRS is presently planned to have a total of 14 solar reflective spectral bands, with central wavelengths ranging from 412nm to 2250nm. The Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) will be the operational imaging instrument on two GOES-R satellites in geostationary orbits. The ABI is presently planned to have a total of 6 solar reflective spectral bands, with central wavelengths ranging from 470nm to 2260nm. Some of the ABI’s spectral bands are similar, but not identical to, those of the VIIRS. Each VIIRS instrument and each ABI instrument will be equipped with a solar diffuser for on-board, end-to-end calibration of its reflective channels.
Due to the high scan rates of both instruments and the flexible scheduling of the ABI, there will be several opportunities each day for the two instruments to simultaneously view the same area on Earth's surface along nearly identical lines of sight. It should be possible to cross-calibrate the ABI and the VIIRS instruments to far greater precision than has been achieved before, and to merge data from multiple platforms into fused data products. The utility of the combined VIIRS/ABI weather imagery can be improved still more if the ABI's reflective spectral bands are changed to match corresponding bands of the VIIRS.
The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite R (GOES-R) Series is the planned next generation of operational weather satellites for the United State’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The first launch of the GOES-R series is planned for 2012. The GOES-R Series satellites and instruments are being developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). One of the key instruments on the GOES-R Series is the Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI). The ABI is a multi-channel, visible through infrared, passive imaging radiometer. The ABI will provide moderate spatial and spectral resolution at high temporal and radiometric resolution to accurately monitor rapidly changing weather.
The ABI will provide sixteen spectral channels compared to five channels on the current GOES I/P Series Imager. This increase will allow more comprehensive monitoring of atmospheric conditions such as aerosol concentration, cirrus cloud location, and cloud properties. In addition, ABI will provide data products with a spatial resolution of at least half the current imager, down to 0.5 Km in the visible band. With its high temporal coverage, full disk every 5 minutes, and ability to continue operations around local midnight, ABI will provide continuous and timely monitoring of weather. This is further augmented by ABI's ability to revisit a specified 1000 Kilometer region every 30 seconds to track severe weather.
This paper discusses the anticipated performance characteristics of the ABI sensor. The key data products achievable from the ABI are also discussed.
The NASA NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP) is designed to collect radiometric data to make comprehensive measurements of atmospheric temperature and humidity, and cloud and aerosol properties. NPP will provide NASA with continuation of global change parameters after the Earth Observing System Terra and Aqua missions. In addition, NPP will provide a pre-operational risk reduction demonstration and validation of three critical instruments for the National Polar-Orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS). NPP is a joint mission with NASA, NOAA, and the Department of Defense. NPP will launch in 2006 and operate in a sun synchronous descending node orbit, with a 10:30 AM equator crossing time. This paper discusses the NPP mission and the design of the satellite. The key Earth System Science observations that are to be taken are highlighted, along with the key Environmental Data Records (EDRs) that NPP will provide. The Key EDRs for which NPP will provide data are vertical moisture profile, vertical temperature profile, imagery, sea surface temperature, and soil moisture. The mission concept, including the satellite and ground system architecture, combines elements provided by NASA, the DoD, and NOAA. One of the driving requirements is providing complete EDRs within 180 minutes of observation, with a goal of within 90 minutes or less. For the NPOESS spacecraft the goal is 15 minutes from time of observation.
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