MISR instrument development and test status

MISR will provide global data sets from Earth orbit using nine discrete cameras, each viewing at unique view directions. The design of this instrument is complete and has been refined following assembly and testing of an engineering model. The engineering model has been invaluable in identifying correctable design flaws, in resolving subsystem interface issues early in the program, and in providing the science team with as-built performance data to be used in the algorithm development. MISR will fly with an on-board calibrator consisting of Spectralon diffuse panels and photodiode detector standards. Both the use of Spectralon and flight detector standards have been developed by the MISR team. Currently the engineering team is assembling and testing the flight cameras, and the data teams are preparing for the post-launch geometric and radiometric calibration of the instrument, as well as developing algorithms to provide the science products. With a 3.3 Mb orbital average data rate, and global coverage each nine days, processing will be automated and standardized. Deliverables include calibrated, registered data sets, as well as aerosol/land surface, and cloud parameters.