MODIS calibration: A brief review of the strategy for the at-launch calibration approach

Abstract

The Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) is a key instrument on the NASA Earth Observing System. It is a multispectral sensor that will be used to track long-term global change in the land, atmosphere, and ocean components of the earth. Major advances are being made with MODIS over previous sensors in the form of improved on-orbit sensor characterization and calibration using a system of onboard calibrators. This article describes those calibrators and provides an early estimate of the expected accuracy for the MODIS calibrated datasets resulting from the use of these calibrators. The focus of the paper is the calibration approach that is being implemented at-launch for the top-of-the-atmosphere data products.