Status of the MODIS spatial and spectral characterization and performance after recent SRCA operational changes

Daniel Link; Zhipeng Wang; Kevin A. Twedt; Xiaoxiong Xiong

doi:10.1117/12.2273053

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5 September 2017 Status of the MODIS spatial and spectral characterization and performance after recent SRCA operational changes

Daniel Link, Zhipeng Wang, Kevin A. Twedt, Xiaoxiong Xiong

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Proceedings Volume 10402, Earth Observing Systems XXII; 104022G (2017) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2273053
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2017, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

There are two nearly identical MODIS instruments currently operating on-board the NASA EOS Terra and Aqua spacecraft. Each MODIS is equipped with several on-board calibrators (OBCs) including a Spectro-Radiometric Calibration Assembly (SRCA). The SRCA is a multi-configuration calibrator that aids in determining the performance parameters of MODIS detectors on-orbit. Depending on its configuration, scheduled operations of the SRCA provide measurements to assess the on-orbit radiometric, spatial, and spectral performance. The SRCA was designed to utilize various combinations of three 10 Watt lamps and one 1 Watt lamp and included a spare of each type. On-orbit lamp degradation and failures reduced the available number of 10 Watt lamps from four to two for each mission by 2006. Over the past year, each instrument experienced an issue on-orbit. The nadir door of Terra MODIS closed as the instrument was autonomously commanded into safe-mode after a spacecraft commanding issue. The instrument and spacecraft operations were successfully recovered shortly after the event. For Aqua, a failure occurred for one of the two remaining 10 Watt lamps. We investigate each issue as it relates to the SRCA’s operation and its ability to properly characterize MODIS detector performance. For Terra MODIS, we present changes in MODIS spectral and spatial performance due to changes in the instrument environment. In the case of Aqua MODIS, losing a lamp reduces the output potential of the SRCA. We present the results from this impact and the adjustments made to calibration activities to maximize the effectiveness of the remaining lamps.

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Daniel Link, Zhipeng Wang, Kevin A. Twedt, and Xiaoxiong Xiong "Status of the MODIS spatial and spectral characterization and performance after recent SRCA operational changes", Proc. SPIE 10402, Earth Observing Systems XXII, 104022G (5 September 2017); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2273053

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