Validation practices for satellite‐based Earth observation data across communities

TLDR

Assessing uncertainties in satellite data products is challenging, and Earth Observation communities have developed diverse technical approaches, resulting in many methods and terminology. This paper reviews state‑of‑the‑art satellite validation methods and documents their similarities and differences. It specifies validation objectives and terminologies, presents a generic mathematical formulation of the problem, and introduces current metrics and advanced EO validation approaches. The paper outlines the applicability and requirements of current EO validation approaches and targets.

Abstract

Abstract Assessing the inherent uncertainties in satellite data products is a challenging task. Different technical approaches have been developed in the Earth Observation (EO) communities to address the validation problem which results in a large variety of methods as well as terminology. This paper reviews state‐of‐the‐art methods of satellite validation and documents their similarities and differences. First, the overall validation objectives and terminologies are specified, followed by a generic mathematical formulation of the validation problem. Metrics currently used as well as more advanced EO validation approaches are introduced thereafter. An outlook on the applicability and requirements of current EO validation approaches and targets is given.