Why VIIRS data are superior to DMSP for mapping nighttime lights

TLDR

For over four decades the DMSP OLS has been the sole global low‑light imaging system, but its coarse resolution, limited dynamic range, and lack of in‑flight calibration have constrained its utility, whereas the 2011‑launched VIIRS instrument offers higher resolution, broader dynamic range, and in‑flight calibration. The study aims to contrast the nighttime low‑light imaging capabilities of DMSP OLS and VIIRS and compare their data products. They assess and compare the two satellite systems’ low‑light imaging collection capabilities and resulting data products. Twenty‑four DMSP satellites have collected low‑light imaging data.

Abstract

For more than forty years the U.S. Air Force Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) Operational Linescan System (OLS) has been the only satellite system collecting global low-light imaging data. A series of twenty-four DMSP satellites have collected low-light imaging data. The design of the OLS has not changed significantly since satellite F-4 flew in the late 1970’s and OLS data have relatively coarse spatial resolution, limited dynamic range, and lack in-flight calibration. In 2011 NASA and NOAA launched the Suomi National Polar Partnership (SNPP) satellite carrying the first Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS)  instrument. The VIIRS collects low light imaging data and has several improvements  over the OLS’ capabilities. In this paper we contrast the nighttime low light imaging collection capabilities of these two systems and compare their data products.