The Geosynchronous Imaging Fourier Transform Spectrometer (GIFTS) represents a revolutionary step in satellite based remote sensing of the Earth. Following launch in 2005, GIFTS will be positioned over or near the Continental United States for 12 to 18 months. This poster presents an overview of a "Measurement Concept Validation Plan" (MCVP) which has been developed for GIFTS. This plan describes the various tasks and data sources associated with validation of the GIFTS measurement objectives under the scope of NASA's New Millennium Program (NMP). The goal of the resulting validation activities during the year following launch is an accurate and timely assessment of the accuracies of the core GIFTS products for a representative set of observation conditions. The validation approaches are focussed on comparisons of the GIFTS products to selected high quality validation data sources. This includes comparisons to data from ground based networks and high quality validation sites (e.g. ARM CART, Wind Profiler network), airborne observation networks (e.g. ACARS), other satellite based radiance sensors (e.g. AIRS, IASI) and retrievals (e.g. MOPITT, TES, AIRS), and data collected as part of a dedicated field campaign. Other approaches include internal checks such as blackbody view analyses and specific pointing exercises.

It should be noted that, as defined by the focus of the NMP program and its concentration on technology development and validation, the NMP funded data product validation efforts are limited in scope. These validation efforts, however, are complimented by additional validation/demonstration efforts led by NOAA (and described in the NOAA GIFTS Products Assurance Plan). Additionally, a NASA solicitation for proposals to supplement the validation efforts for GIFTS is anticipated in CY 2002.