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NOAA’s Joint Polar Satellite System and

the Suomi NPP Satellite: Delivering the

Next Generation of the Environmental

Earth Observations

Mitch Goldberg, JPSS Program Scientist

Jim Gleason, NPP Project Scientist

John Furgerson, JPSS User Liaison

Special thanks to industry and the entire JPSS Cal/Val Team

NPP = National Polar-orbiting Partnership

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TOPICS

● Overview of the JPSS Program

● Initial Results from ATMS, CrIS, VIIRS,

OMPS and CERES

SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH October 28, 2011!!!!

Courtesy of Ben Cooper

Vern Suomi

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S-NPP to JPSS Program

JPSS-1 Satellite

(NPP-clone)

Drivers and Benefits

• Maintains continuity of weather/climate

observations and critical environmental data

from the polar orbit

• NOAA – JPSS provides improved continuity

for POES

• HIRS > CrIS

• AMSU > ATMS

• AVHRR > VIIRS

• SBUV2 > OMPS

• NASA – JPSS provides continuity for EOS

• AIRS > CrIS

• AMSU > ATMS

• MODIS > VIIRS

• OMI > OMPS

• CERES > CERES

• AMSR-E > AMSR2 (JAXA-GCOM-W)

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JPSS Integral to 3-Orbit Global Polar Coverage

JPSS implements US civil

commitment, interagency and

international agreements to afford 3-orbit

global coverage.

Suomi NPP /

JPSS-1/JPSS-2

DMSP

DoD

Follow-on

METOP

Local Equatorial

Crossing Time

JAXA

GCOM-W

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JPSS Overview

● JPSS consists of five satellites (Suomi NPP, JPSS-1, JPSS-2, FF-1, FF-2), ground system and operations through 2028

– JPSS mission is to provide global imagery and atmospheric measurements using polar-orbiting satellites

● JPSS is a partnership between NOAA and NASA

– NOAA has final decision authority and is responsible for overall program commitment

– NASA is the acquisition agent for the flight system (satellite, instruments and launch vehicle), ground system, leads program systems engineering, and program safety and mission assurance

– NOAA is responsible for operations, science, data exploitation and archiving, infrastructure

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FY 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

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Fly-out of Polar-Orbiting Environmental Satellites

(Fiscal Years)

NPP

70% POL NASA L1

JPSS-1 (2QFY2017)

JPSS-2 (NET 1QFY2022)

Free Flyer-1 (4QFY2016)

Free Flyer-2 (3QFY2021)

-Launch Date - Checkout / Calibration / Validation

NOAA 19

Potential Gap

AQUA

A-DCS and SARSAT

(User Services) are

manifested

SORCE

Currently collects

TSI data

MetOp-B

TCTE

GCOM W-1

En

d o

f Pro

gra

m

JPSS-2 LRD 1QFY2022

MetOp-C

MetOp-A

JPSS-2

Budgeted for

Launch

Readiness

Date

(through

FY28) A-DCS (User

Services) is

manifested

GCOM W-2/3

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JPSS-1 Instruments (same as NPP)

JPSS Instrument Measurement

ATMS - Advanced Technology

Microwave Sounder

ATMS and CrIS together provide high

vertical resolution temperature and

water vapor information needed to

maintain and improve forecast skill out

to 5 to 7 days in advance for extreme

weather events, including hurricanes and

severe weather outbreaks

CrIS - Cross-track Infrared

Sounder

VIIRS – Visible Infrared Imaging

Radiometer Suite

VIIRS provides many critical imagery

products including snow/ice cover,

clouds, fog, aerosols, fire, smoke plumes,

vegetation health, phytoplankton

abundance/chlorophyll

OMPS - Ozone Mapping and

Profiler Suite

Ozone spectrometers for monitoring

ozone hole and recovery of stratospheric

ozone and for UV index forecasts

CERES - Clouds and the Earth’s

Radiant Energy System

Scanning radiometer which supports

studies of Earth Radiation Budget

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Free Flyer Instruments

JPSS Instrument Measurement

SARR – Search and Rescue

Repeater

The Search and Rescue instruments are part of the international Cospas-Sarsat system designed to detect and locate Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELTs), Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs), and Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs)

SARP – Search and Rescue

Processor

A-DCS- Advanced Data Collection

System

The A-DCS provides a worldwide in-situ environmental data collection and Doppler-derived location service with the basic objective of studying and protecting the Earth environment

TSIS TIM – Total & Spectral solar

Irradiance Sensor Total Irradiance

Monitor

TIM is an active cavity radiometer that monitors changes in Total Solar Irradiance (TSI) at the top of the Earth’s atmosphere

TSIS SIM – Total & Spectral solar

Irradiance Sensor Solar Irradiance

Monitor

SIM is a prism spectrometer that monitors changes in Solar Spectral Irradiance (SSI) as a function of wavelength

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JPSS ENVIRONMENTAL PRODUCT PRODUCTION

Figure 3-4, Rev B, 4/5/12

PSE v3 4/5/12

VIIRS (22 EDRs)

ALBEDO (SURFACE) CLOUD BASE HEIGHT CLOUD COVER/LAYERS CLOUD EFFECTIVE PART SIZE CLOUD OPTICAL THICKNESS CLOUD TOP HEIGHT CLOUD TOP PRESSURE CLOUD TOP TEMPERATURE ICE SURFACE TEMPERATURE NET HEAT FLUX

OCEAN COLOR/CHLOROPHYLL

SUSPENDED MATTER VEGETATION INDEX AEROSOL OPTICAL THICKNESS AEROSOL PARTICLE SIZE ACTIVE FIRES IMAGERY SEA ICE CHARACTERIZATION SNOW COVER SEA SURFACE TEMPERATURE LAND SURFACE TEMP SURFACE TYPE

EDRs

RDRs & SDRs (for each band) GCOM AMSR-2

(11 EDRs)

RDR

CLOUD LIQUID WATER PRECIPITATION TYPE/RATE PRECIPITABLE WATER SEA SURFACE WINDS SPEED

SOIL MOISTURE SNOW WATER EQUIVALENT

IMAGERY SEA ICE CHARACTERIZATION SNOW COVER/DEPTH SEA SURFACE TEMPERATURE SURFACE TYPE

EDRs

CrIS/ATMS (3 EDRs)

RDR & SDR

ATM VERT MOIST PROFILE ATM VERT TEMP PROFILE PRESSURE (SURFACE/PROFILE)

EDRs

OMPS (2 EDRs) RDR & SDR

O3 TOTAL COLUMN O3 NADIR PROFILE

EDRs

KEY

EDRs with Key Performance Parameters

JPSS Ground System (NPP, JPSS – ½)

ESPC (GCOM-W1)

Free-flyer Ground System (FF-1)

RDR = Raw Data Record SDR = Sensor Data Record EDR = Environmental Data Record

(1) CERES and TSIS Climate Data Record (CDR) production is outside the scope of JPSS

CERES (2 EDRs) (1)

LONG WAVE RADIANCE (TOA) REFLECTED SOLAR RADIANCE (TOA) TOTAL RADIANCE (TOA)

SDRs

EDRs NET SOLAR RADIATION (TOA) OUTGOING LW RADIATION (TOA)

RDR & SDR

A-DCS PLATFORM REPORTS

SARR & SARP DISTRESS BEACON REPORTS

TSIS (1)

SOLAR IRRADIANCE

RDR & SDR

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JPSS is critical for the NOAA Mission

a

Joint Polar Satellite System

Weather Ready Nation

Healthy Oceans

Climate Adaptation and

Mitigation

Resilient Coastal Communities

and Economies

To understand and predict

changes in climate, weather,

oceans, and coasts. To

share that knowledge and

information with others, and

To conserve and manage

coastal marine ecosystems

and resources

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NESDIS Operations

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Suomi NPP Direct Broadcast

• Started transmitting VIIRS,

CrIS, and ATMS science data

in real-time via X-band direct

broadcast starting on 23

February 2012.

• 7812 MHz, 13 Mbps.

• No encryption, licenses, or

fees.

• Downlink format is described

in CDFCB External Volume

VII

athttp://npp.gsfc.nasa.gov/science/docu

ments.html 10/1/2012

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Suomi NPP acquired and processed by Finnish Meteorological Institute,

2012/03/05 Using Community Satellite Processing Package from University of

Wisconsin

10/1/2012 VIIRS M7, Courtesy of Timo Ryyppö, FMI Sodankylä

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Calibration/Validation

Joint Polar Satellite System

• Four Phases of Cal/Val: 1. Pre-Launch; all time prior to launch – Algorithm verification, sensor testing, and

validation preparation 2. Early Orbit Check-out (first 30-90 days) – System Calibration & Characterization 3. Intensive Cal/Val (ICV); extending to approximately 24 months post-launch – xDR

Validation 4. Long-Term Monitoring (LTM); through life of sensors

• For each phase: – Exit Criteria established – Activities summarized – Products mature through phases independently

LA

UN

CH

ICVEOC LTM

NPP Launch

Build Team

Resource ID

& Development

Sensor

Characterization

Post-Launch

Plan Dev.

Alg. Assessment

& Verifications

Cal/Val Tool

Development

Sens or

Charar.

&Calibration

Quick-Look

Analysis

SDRs/EDRs

SDR/EDR Alg.

Tuning

Estab. Sensor

Stability

SDR Validation

Key EDR

Validation

Mission

Integration

Product Ops

Viability

Monitor Sensor

Stability

EDR Validation

PRE-LAUNCH

LA

UN

CH

ICVEOC LTM

NPP Launch

Build Team

Resource ID

& Development

Sensor

Characterization

Post-Launch

Plan Dev.

Alg. Assessment

& Verifications

Cal/Val Tool

Development

Sens or

Charar.

&Calibration

Quick-Look

Analysis

SDRs/EDRs

SDR/EDR Alg.

Tuning

Estab. Sensor

Stability

SDR Validation

Key EDR

Validation

Mission

Integration

Product Ops

Viability

Monitor Sensor

Stability

EDR Validation

PRE-LAUNCH

We Are Here

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User Applications Readiness

● Ensure users are ready for NPP/JPSS data and improve their key operational and research product and services Severe weather/tropical cyclone forecasts and warnings

Aviation weather forecasts and warnings

Improve fire and air quality forecasts and warnings

Improve warnings and prediction of poor water quality in coastal regions

Improve drought, precipitation, snow and ice assessments and predictions

● Periodic feedback from keys users on the impact of NPP/JPSS data and to identify improvements needed for products and applications

● NOAA JPSS Office has established a JPSS Proving Ground

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Warm Core - Temperature Anomaly

Hurricane Isaac 08/27/2012

Cross section along 26.0 N Cross section along 86.0 W

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ISAAC forecasts started from 20120825_18z

Track

Intensity

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Cross-Track Infrared Sounder (CrIS)

NPP/JPSS

CrIS

• Michelson Interferometer: 0.625,1.25, 2.5cm-1

(resolving power of 1000)

• Spectral range: 660-2600 cm-1

• 3 x 3 HdCdTe focal plane passively cooled

(4-stages) to 85K

• Focal plane 27 detectors,

1305 spectral channels

• 310 K Blackbody and space view

provides radiometric calibration

• NEDT ranges from 0.05 K to 0. 5 K

CrIS

AIRS

IASI

“CrIS LW Noise << AIRS & IASI LW Noise”

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Spectral Coverage and Example

Observations of AIRS, IASI, and CrIS

AIRS, 2378

CrIS, 1305

IASI, 8461

CIMSS

CIMSS

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Example of CrIS Daily Coverage

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Need soundings in all weather conditions Use Microwave Sounders

ATMS channel 6 for mid troposphere

temperature

Coalign microwave (larger footprint)

with infrared to remove clouds from

infrared

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CrIS RTV for 20 Jan 2012, t1254026 Temperature and Humidity

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CrIS RTV for 20 Jan 2012, t1254026 Temperature and Relative Humidity Cross-sections

Scanline

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Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems

Description

● Purpose: In conjunction with CrIS, global observations of temperature and moisture profiles at high temporal resolution (~ daily).

● Predecessor Instruments: AMSU A1 / A2, MHS

● Approach: Scanning passive microwave radiometer

● 22 channels (23GHz - 183GHz)

● Swath width: 2600 km

● Co-registration: with CrIS

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Microwave Temperature Sounding Vertical Resolution

MSU+SSU (1978-2007)

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NOAA ATMS MIRS Products

T

RR WV

TPW

Courtesy of Sid Boukabara (STAR)

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Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite Raytheon SAS El Segundo, Ca

Description

• Purpose: Global observations of land, ocean, & atmosphere parameters at high temporal resolution (~ daily)

• Predecessor Instruments: AVHRR, OLS, MODIS, SeaWiFS

• Approach: Multi-spectral scanning radiometer (22 bands between 0.4 µm and 12 µm) 12-bit quantization

• Swath width: 3000 km

Spatial Resolution

• 16 bands at 750m

• 5 bands at 370m

• DNB

VIIRS on NPP

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First Global VIIRS Image

VIIRS

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VIIRS Data Products

Land

• Active Fire

• Land Surface Albedo

• Land Surface Temperature

• Ice Surface Temperature

• Sea Ice Characterization

• Snow Cover/Depth

• Vegetation Index

• Surface Type

Ocean

• Sea Surface Temperature

• Ocean Color/Chlorophyll

Imagery & Cloud

• Imagery

• Cloud Mask

• Cloud Optical Thickness

• Cloud Effective Particle Size Parameter

• Cloud Top Parameters

• Cloud Base Height

• Cloud Cover/Layers

Aerosol

• Aerosol Optical Thickness

• Aerosol Particle Size Parameter

• Suspended Matter

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First VIIRS Imagery (Nov 21, 2011)

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.63 µm

.86 µm

1.6 µm

3.7 µm

11.4 µm

Comparison of “Imagery” Bands at Nadir

AVHRR

Wavelength

1.1 km 0.25 – 1 km 0.37 km

AVHRR MODIS VIIRS

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Spatial Resolution Comparisons for VIIRS, AVHRR, MODIS and OLS at Nadir and Across Swath

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0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 16000

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9P

ixel A

rea (

km

2)

Ground Distance From Nadir (km)

Pixel Area vs. Distance Off Nadir

5 VIIRS Imagery Bands

16 VIIRS Moderate Bands

VIIRS DNB

MODIS Band 1

6 MODIS Bands

29 MODIS Bands

AVHRR

OLS fine

Because of aggregation VIIRS has much better resolution

away from nadir, pixel area 8 times smaller than AVHRR or MODIS

Northrup Grumman & Raytheon

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Colorado

11.24.2011 1845 Z, Near Edge of Scan 11.24.2011 2028 UTC, Near Nadir

VIIRS maintains similar spatial resolution quality at edge of 3000 km swath

NPP VIIRS True Color Examples

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Multi-spectral Comparisons

True color – New Orleans

MODIS 1840z

VIIRS 1845Z

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Day Night Band May 20, 2012

VIIRS Day Night Band Observation of the

Power Outage – Washington DC Metro Area

• VIIRS Day Night Band (DNB) was

able to detect power outage in

recent storm in the DC metro area

• Animation shows night time image

from the DNB on June 30 (shortly

after the storm) compared with a

similar image from June 26

• Pattern appears to be consistent

with PEPCO map, with major

impact along the Potomac river.

Significance: VIIRS DNB data found new applications in power outage monitoring after a major storm.

Slide Courtesy of C. Cao and Y. Bai

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Sponsored by the NOAA JPSS Program Office

VIIRS DNB image comparison between June 30 and June 26 show

power outage areas

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Moonlight Imagery

Italy

North Africa

Spain

Saudi

Arabia

Greece

Turkey

Moonglint scenes showcase the tremendous dynamic range and

radiometric resolution of the new DNB sensor.

Nighttime Imagery: 1/5/2012 0053 UTC, Mediterranean Region

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Dust Storms

Cairo

Nighttime Imagery: 1/7/2012 2359 UTC, Eastern Mediterranean

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(???)

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Volcanic Ash Puyehue-Cordon Caulle Volcanic Chain

12-13 Dec 2011

Nighttime pass fills in the temporal gap between last PM and

first available AM visible-light observations.

Afternoon Morning Night

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JPSS Supporting NOAA Operational Harmful Algal Bloom Alerts

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VIIRS provide Ice and Snow information for the National Ice Center

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OMPS Provide continuity of essential ozone products and applications

Monitoring ozone hole and

recovering of ozone due to the

Montreal Protocol for eliminating

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

Used in NWS UV Index forecast to

allow public to avoid overexposure

to UV radiation

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Ozone Profile from OMPS Limb

Photo taken from ISS

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Net Radiation Budget

From IPCC AR4 FAQ

CERES Shortwave CERES Longwave TSIS

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NPP CERES

Photo taken from ISS

Cloud and Earth Radiant Energy

System (CERES) first light on

February 1, 2012. Radiation

trapping and warming trends

from climate change can be

calculated globally with CERES

products.

Outgoing Longwave Radiation

Data courtesy of NASA

Reflected Shortwave Radiation

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Conclusions

• JPSS Mission is essential for NOAA’s mission and provides:

• Input Observations for Weather Forecast Models

• CrIS, ATMS, VIIRS, OMPS & GCOM

• Short term Environmental Observations (Events)

• VIIRS, OMPS, CrIS, ATMS & GCOM

• Long term Environmental Observations (Climate Change

Detection)

• CERES, TSIS, VIIRS, OMPS, CrIS, ATMS & GCOM

• User Engagement is critical for ultimate mission success