GOES-R ABI Post-Launch Calibration and Validation

Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) is the key payload for the new generation of Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite R-Series (GOES-R). After more than ten years of development, it has been scheduled for launch on October 13, 2016. A series of carefully designed post-launch tests have been planned for 18 months after launch in three phases, including: • 22 Post-Launch Tests (PLT) in the first eighty days (including orbit raising and outgassing) to characterize the ABI on-orbit performance, to compare with corresponding pre-launch tests or predictions, and to promote the products to Beta maturity; • 13 Post-Launch Product Tests (PLPT) in the following three months to validate the ABI radiance (Level 1b) products preliminarily, and to promote the products to Provisional maturity; • 21 tests during Extended Validation (EV) in the following twelve months to validate the ABI radiance (Level 1b) products comprehensively over most operation scenarios, to characterize on-orbit SI traceability, to ensure product compliance with respect to Expected Performance (and to resolve anomalies as needed), and to promote the products to Validated maturity. We will provide an overview of these tests; a brief justification of the necessity, adequacy, and priority of these tests based experience with ABI pre-launch tests, AHI post-launch performance, legacy GOES program, and other programs (MODIS, VIIRS, OMPS); the role of GOES-R Calibration Working Group (CWG) in these tests; and what users can help with and benefit from these post-launch activities.