The National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) combines the long-standing imaging and atmospheric sounding function needs required by operational meteorologists and oceanographers with unique sensing attributes from the heritage National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) sensor suite. Measurements needed to continue multi-decadal records feasible by such work horses as the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) on the NOAA series and the Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I) on the DMSP spacecraft are enhanced with superior spatial resolution, additional channels and signal fidelity on the Visible Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) and Conical scanning Microwave Imager Sounder (CMIS) respectively. Two research and development (R&D) sensors, the MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Aqua and Terra spacecraft and the WindSat passive microwave radiometer on the Coriolis mission are leading us to new capabilities and applications as a prelude to NPOESS. Data from these two R&D sensors are now providing scientists and early users with direct insight into the VIIRS and CMIS NPOESS sensors.

The 36-channel MODIS data stream greatly augments the AVHRR and OLS sensors except for the lack of a nighttime visible capability. The channel suite provides users with the multi-spectral array required to significantly upgrade our ability to map and understand clouds and their physical makeup, the sea surface temperature and the land surface characterization that is becoming an increasingly important feedback mechanism within atmospheric models. Specific MODIS examples will be illustrated to identify applications such as airborne dust detection, aircraft contrails, low cloud mapping at night and ocean color/visibility. In addition, the nighttime low light visible sensor on the DMSP Operational Linescan System (OLS) will be showcased to present upcoming VIIRS functionality. The large swath, high spatial resolution and product fidelity within VIIRS will provide current operational AVHRR/OLS users with a new era of opportunities.

The WindSat, SSM/I, Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer (AMSR-E on Aqua) and Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Microwave Imager (TMI) are leading the way towards CMIS operations, with WindSat calibration/validation ongoing since successful January 2006 launch. Passive microwave imager applications include the derivation of surface wind speeds, rainrate, cloud liquid water, total precipitable water, sea surface temperature and wind directions depending on channel and polarization availability. The presentation includes select cases highlighting how passive microwave data can assist in monitoring tropical cyclone location, structure and intensity under all-weather conditions. Researchers and operational personnel worldwide have gained new insight and nowcasting expertise by virtue of “seeing through” non-raining clouds often obscuring vital mid and low-level storm details.