Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership Algorithm Maturity and Validation Status

The Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) is the next generation of low earth orbiting environmental satellites, comprised of a series of satellites that provide data on atmospheric and sea surface temperatures, humidity sounding, land and ocean biological productivity, and cloud, ozone, and aerosol properties. Data from the JPSS satellite suite are processed into sensor and environmental data records (SDRs and EDRs) that are disseminated to the customer and user community for integration into a multitude of applications, including forecasting, military applications, and climate studies.

To ensure quality of the JPSS data products, the JPSS Ground Project has established a Calibration/Validation Program consisting of multiple discipline teams led by community experts that have extensive knowledge of the sensors, specialized (?) subject matter expertise, and heritage experience with space-based environmental measurements. Documented Suomi NPP Cal/Val Plans, written by the Cal/Val Teams, explain the detailed activities planned for the assessment, improvement, and validation of the Suomi NPP SDRs and EDRs, with the goal of progressing through a series of Data Product Maturity milestones from beta, to provisional, and then Validated.

This paper will define these milestones, as well as highlight current SNPP Data Product Maturity Status. It will also describe remaining plans for the SNPP Cal/Val Program and data product maturity advancement.