Performance assessments and comparisons of S-NPP and NOAA-20 (JPSS-1) VIIRS on-orbit calibration

Xiaoxiong Xiong; Amit Angal; James Butler; Hongda Chen; Kwofu Chiang; Ning Lei; Yonghong Li; Kevin Twedt

doi:10.1117/12.2326866

11 October 2018 Performance assessments and comparisons of S-NPP and NOAA-20 (JPSS-1) VIIRS on-orbit calibration

Xiaoxiong Xiong, Amit Angal, James Butler, Hongda Chen, Kwofu Chiang, Ning Lei, Yonghong Li, Kevin Twedt

Proceedings Volume 10785, Sensors, Systems, and Next-Generation Satellites XXII; 1078514 (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2326866
Event: SPIE Remote Sensing, 2018, Berlin, Germany

Abstract

The first Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument has been in operation for more than 6 years on-board the S-NPP satellite and the second instrument, with the same design and performance requirements, was launched in November, 2017 on-board the JPSS-1 satellite (named NOAA-20 after reaching its orbit) and is currently in normal operation conditions. This paper provides a brief description of VIIRS on-orbit calibration and characterization activities and presents performance assessments and comparisons of S-NPP and NOAA-20 VIIRS using data collected from their on-board calibrators (OBC) and regularly scheduled lunar observations. Results show that NOAA-20 VIIRS is performing as well or better than S-NPP VIIRS in all of the key performance metrics. The NOAA-20 reflective solar bands, including the day-night band, have experienced less than 1% change in gain in the first 250 days since launch and did not suffer from the contamination related rapid degradation experienced by S-NPP VIIRS. Some of the NOAA- 20 thermal emissive bands had larger than expected gain degradation after launch due to ice buildup on the dewar window of the long-wave IR focal plane assembly but a mid-mission outgassing operation was able to restore their gains and maintain stable behavior. Though this study is focused on the sensor’s key performance parameters, such as detector responses (gains), signal-to-noise ratios, and noise-equivalent temperature differences, challenges identified and lessons learned through different phases of on-orbit calibration and characterization are also discussed.

Citation Download Citation

Xiaoxiong Xiong, Amit Angal, James Butler, Hongda Chen, Kwofu Chiang, Ning Lei, Yonghong Li, and Kevin Twedt "Performance assessments and comparisons of S-NPP and NOAA-20 (JPSS-1) VIIRS on-orbit calibration", Proc. SPIE 10785, Sensors, Systems, and Next-Generation Satellites XXII, 1078514 (11 October 2018); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2326866

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