The Global Space-based Inter-Calibration System (GSICS)

Abstract

The Global Space-based Inter-Calibration System (GSICS) is an international program formulated by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the Coordination Group for Meteorological Satellites (CGMS) since 2005. It will inter-calibrate the instruments of the international constellation of operational low-earth-orbiting (LEO) and geostationary (GEO) environmental satellites and tie these to common reference standards to assure the comparability of satellite measurements taken at different times and locations by different instruments operated by different satellite agencies. Upon its 10th anniversary the GSICS community is gradually encompassing all CGMS members. CGMS members are collaborating in the framework of GSICS to develop and apply “best practices” for state-of-the-art and homogeneous calibration. GSICS benefits to satellite operators through sharing of resources and best practices, and to satellite data users through improved calibration, assessments, and traceability to common references. The practical value of GSICS was demonstrated in the role played to facilitate the commissioning operations of several satellite programmes in the most recent years.