The flight sensors for the NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP) are now undergoing their final pre-launch characterization and calibration. The NPOESS Integrated Program Office (IPO) Data Products Division (NDPD) has generated the performance assessments for the Imagery Environmental Data Record (EDR), Cloud Mask, and Fire Mask of the Visible/Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite (VIIRS). The Cloud and Fire Masks are not EDRs, but will be delivered products available to users. The Imagery EDR is a Key Performance Parameter of the NPOESS program. The EDR Assessments were developed by the NDPD in consultation with subject matter experts from government labs and universities to collect and track algorithm development status and expected performance against contractual specifications and applicability to user missions.

This poster summarizes the Imagery, Cloud Mask, and Fire Mask assessments and provides an overview of these NPP data products. For each algorithm, the current best estimate, performance drivers, watch items, and mitigation strategies are presented. The NPP EDR Assessments are used to capture and communicate algorithm issues and expected performance to the Program stakeholders and will be updated as sensor testing and algorithm developments continue. The VIIRS Fire Mask provides information on fire location, and the Cloud Mask provides information on cloud and cloud shadow location, presence of heavy aerosol, and cloud phase. We predict that the VIIRS Imagery and Cloud Mask products will approach equivalent quality as is currently obtained with the MODIS products since the spectral, spatial, and radiometric characteristics of the VIIRS and MODIS are similar.