Next-Generation MODIS for Polar Operational Environmental Satellites

Abstract

The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) protoflight model has been delivered to the NASA Earth Observing System AM-1 platform project to provide highly calibrated, near daily, global atmosphere, land, and ocean observation in 36 spectral channels. MODIS includes extensive in-flight calibration allowing improved environmental data products addressing the visible–infrared imaging Environmental Data Records required by the National Polar-Orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System. NASA is considering Advanced MODIS concepts to dramatically reduce MODIS mass, power, and volume. Alternatively, next-generation MODIS Light options can substantially reduce MODIS cost, mass, power, and size but retain the core MODIS optical bench assembly spectroradiometric sensing subsystem to minimize both performance risk and changes to the data processing algorithms. These MODIS Light options range from in-flight calibration hardware removal to instrument repackaging and scanner redesign. The simplest modification results in a 17% mass reduction, while scanner redesign results in 40% mass and volume reduction.