Evolution of the MODIS science data processing system

The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) is a 36 band instrument (400-1400 nm) with spatial resolutions from 250 meters to 1 kilometer. The first MODIS instrument was launched on the EOS Terra spacecraft in December of 1999. The second is scheduled to launch on the EOS Aqua spacecraft in late 2001. Each MODIS instrument will produce 70 GB of raw data per day from which 390 GB of calibrated and Earth-located radiance products (Level I products) and 450 GB of higher-level science products will be archived and distributed to the public. During the EOS Terra and Aqua missions MODIS data production will ramp-up from today's 710 GB/day to 7790 GB/day in 2003. MODIS science products are produced by the MODIS Adaptive Processing System (MODAPS) from calibrated radiance and Earth-locations produced at the Goddard Distributed Active Archive Center (DAAC). The products are shipped to the MODIS Science Team for quality assurance and to DAACs for distribution to the public. On February 24, 2000 the first MODIS image of the Earth was acquired and processed. The emphasis was on getting all MODIS science products released to the public as soon as a satisfactory level of quality was achieved. After 13 months and over 250 changes to the science software, all MODIS products are being distributed to the public. The at-launch MODIS processing system, MODAPS V1, was used to produce and distribute 250GB/day of MODIS products through February 2001.