CrIS On-Orbit Performance during NOAA-21 Commissioning Phase

The Cross-Track Infrared Sounder (CrIS) program continues its legacy of operational excellence with the launch of the Joint-Polar Satellite System (JPSS)-2 satellite on November 10, 2022. JPSS-2, re-named National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)-21 on-orbit, carries the third in the series of CrIS instruments manufactured by L3Harris.

CrIS provides interferometric observations by measuring upwelling infrared radiance at very high spectral resolution. CrIS data combined with data from Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS), also part of NOAA-21’s instrument suite, produces vertical atmospheric profiles of temperature and moisture with pressure. CrIS data is used to support improvements to global weather forecasts, more accurate hurricane track and intensity forecasts, and severe weather predictions. Additionally, CrIS data supports trace gas monitoring of Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Ozone (O3), Carbon Monoxide (CO).

The on-orbit commissioning phase for calibration/validation consisted of testing aimed at ensuring NOAA-21 CrIS successfully survived the launch and adjusting calibration parameters to prepare for final instrument hand-off to NOAA’s Office of Satellite and Product Operations (OSPO). NOAA-21 CrIS on-orbit commissioning phase data will be presented, including first light results and subsequent parameter optimization for radiometric, geolocation, and spectral verification. Significant collaboration between L3Harris, NASA, and the extended science community resulted in the final parameter set for verifying provisional data maturity. The results from NOAA-21's commissioning phase demonstrate CrIS instrument survival and excellent instrument performance. Handover completed successfully and the CrIS Instrument is providing operational data. NOAA-21 CrIS is expected to provide the high-quality observations necessary to extend the climate data record established by Suomi National Polar-Orbiting Partnership (S-NPP) and NOAA-20.