Validation of ATMS Calibration Accuracy Using Suomi NPP Pitch Maneuver Observations Remote Sensing

The Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (SNPP) satellite was launched on 28 October, 2011, and carries the Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS) onboard. Currently, ATMS performance in orbit is very stable and the calibration parameters (e.g., noise and accuracy) meet specifications. This study documents an ATMS calibration error budget model and its results for community reference. The calibration accuracy is also verified with the ATMS pitch maneuver observations of cold space. It is shown that the ATMS pitch maneuver cold space observations at center positions are inconsistent with the values predicted by the instrument calibration error budget model. The biases also depend on scan angle. This scan-angle dependence may be caused by the ATMS plane reflector emission. Thus, a physical model is developed to simulate the radiation emitted from the reflector and is recommended as part of ATMS radiance calibration to further improve the sensor data record (SDR) data quality. 2016 NESDIS (National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service) JPSS (Joint Polar Satellite System Program Office) STAR (Center for Satellite Applications and Research) Library https://doi.org/10.3390/rs8040332 CC BY 2286