The National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) program and the NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP) initiate a new era in advanced operational sounding capabilities. High spatial resolution, thermodynamic soundings are provided by the Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS) and the Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS). The Conical Scanning Microwave Imager/Sounder (CMIS), used with the ATMS, extends the CrIS high vertical resolution soundings in clear air down below cloud levels as well as provides cloud, precipitation, and surface properties of the atmosphere. The Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite (OMPS) monitors the total column and vertical profile of ozone.

In this session, the improved sounding capability provided by the NPP/NPOESS suite of sounding instruments is discussed. Aqua satellite and NPOESS Airborne Sounding Testbed (NAST) measurements are used to demonstrate the improved sounding capabilities of the NPP/NPOESS instruments. The ultimate objective of the international system of polar-orbiting and geostationary satellites is global and quasi-continuous environmental observations that together with numerical models provide a complete digital representation of the earth’s environment. The intent of the “digital atmosphere” is the production and timely delivery of accurate weather, pollution, and climate predictions for improving the safety, health, and overall quality of life for the entire world’s population.