NPOESS Preparatory Project Validation Program for Atmosphere Data Products from the Visible Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite (VIIRS)

The Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) Program will launch the NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP), a risk reduction and data continuity mission, prior to the first operational JPSS launch. The NOAA/NESDIS Center for Satellite Applications and Research (STAR) will execute the NPP Validation program in collaboration with subject matter experts from the user communities to ensure the data products comply with the requirements of the sponsoring agencies. Data from the NPP Visible/Infrared Imager/Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) will be used to produce Environmental Data Records (EDR's) for aerosol and clouds, specifically Aerosol Optical Thickness (AOT), Aerosol Particle Size Parameter (APSP), and Suspended Matter (SM); and Cloud Optical Thickness (COT), Cloud Effective Particle Size (CEPS), Cloud Top Temperature (CTT), Height (CTH) and Pressure (CTP), and Cloud Base Height (CBH). The Aerosol and Cloud EDR Validation Program is a multifaceted effort to characterize and validate these data products. The program involves systematic comparison to heritage data products, e.g., MODIS, and ground-based correlative data, such as AERONET and ARM data products, and potentially airborne field measurements. To the extent possible, the domain is global. The program leverages various investments that have and are continuing to be made by national funding agencies in such resources, as well as the operational user community and the broad Earth science user community. This presentation will highlight pre-launch activities and provide an overview of the approaches, data and schedule for the validation of the NPP VIIRS Aerosol and Cloud environmental data products.