3.1
NPP Preparatory Project Calibration/Validation: An Overview
During the pre-launch phase of NPP Cal/Val, the focus is on sensor and algorithm testing and verification, buildup of infrastructure and tools, and detailed task planning for the post-launch phase. Many of the NPP data products have heritage in operational (NOAA and DoD) or NASA EOS sensors and algorithms. The program will reuse tools and strategies that have been successful in these heritage programs. We are using proxy data from heritage sensors wherever possible to test the tools and algorithms. Detailed Cal/Val planning is being undertaken jointly between the prime contractor, the IPO, and NASA to ensure that the best practices established by the community over decades of operational and experimental missions are appropriately considered. We will discuss preparation activities.
The post-launch phase of NPP Cal/Val will provide the detailed analysis of the sensor and algorithm performance as compared to the established system specifications. These activities will involve analysis of sensor calibration data and comparison of radiances and environmental data products against to correlative data sets. The correlative data sources are global environmental analysis fields, data from other spaceborne sensors, ground-based sensor networks, and special validation campaigns. An overview of the currently planned post-launch activities will be provided.