# Presentation: 741684

## Aerospace-Omaha DMSP/NPOESSRisk Reduction & Technology Transition Activities

**The Aerospace Corporation**
**Meteorological Satellite Systems**

- Aerospace-Omaha DMSP/NPOESSRisk Reduction & Technology Transition Activities

- PolarMax19 October 2004

**Notes:**
Introduce myself and Bruce.  Note that we work within the Air Force Weather Agency but are Aerospace employees.  Bruce opened the Omaha office in 1990.

## Overview

**Field Office Introduction**
**Risk Reduction Activities**
**Cloud Depictions & Forecast System II (CDFSII)**
**NPOESS Interface Data Processing Segment (IDPS)**
**Technology Transition**
**SSMI/S Calibration Validation Support**
**METSAT Applications**
**Future Projects and Applicability**

**Notes:**
Review the context of this briefing.  Familiarize the audience with the terms CDFS II and IDPS.

## Intro to Aerospace-Omaha

**The Aerospace Corporation:**
**Federally Funded Research and Development Center  (FFRDC)**
**Aligned with “Systems Acquisition” and Lifecycle System Support**
**Field Office**
**Supports DMSP SPO, its’ ground system, and DMSP’s primary customer (AFWA)**
**R&D resource in an operational setting**
**Comprehensive access to real-time operational satellite, traditional WX and NWP data**
**R&D satellite data access growing, e.g. NASA EOS**

**Notes:**
Review briefly the role of the Aerospace Corporation, then focus on the specific roles of the Omaha Field Office. The key bullets are the last two, which emphasize the unique capability to access operational data in real-time, allowing us to simulate operational conditions under a variety of circumstances.

## Risk Reduction Activities

**Historical:  DMSP, Cloud Depiction & Forecast System II**
**OLS and AVHRR**
**Current:  NPOESS, Interface Data Processor Segment**
**MODIS (SERCAA, 03/04) Cloud Depictions and VIIRS Cloud Mask (Abbreviated, 2004)**
**Future:  NPOESS, Complete Cloud Products Algorithm Chain (2005/06)**

**Notes:**
CDFS II expanded the operational cloud analysis model at AFWA from only DMSP (the old RTNEPH) to both DMSP/NOAA satellites.  It furthermore exploited the additional channels from AVHRR, and improved resolution. 
Our risk reduction work with NPOESS has also focused on cloud detection and will expand in the future towards further exploitation of cloud products.  All of these products will be operationally produced through the IDPS.

## CDFS II Risk Reduction

**Initiated by AF Combat Mission Needs Statement (CMNS) in 1999**
**Delivered in 90 days DMSP/NOAA instance of SERCAA algorithms in support of the Kosovo air war**
**First ever AF 3D clouds produced using DMSP and NOAA fine scale data**
**DMSP Infrastructure Extended to Include Additional NOAA Channels SERCAA was Designed to Exploit**
**Discovered algorithm/model design flaws before implementation**
**Assembled satellite specific and constellation mosaics two years before CDFSII operations**
**Established correct thresholds for numerous individual cloud detection tests, accelerated CDFSII deployment**

**Notes:**
We begin with our most significant impact from the historical CDFS II program, where Aerospace proved an operationally viable cloud product could be produced from CDFS II science (referred to as SERCAA) but via fine vs. smooth DMSP data.  The product impressed BGen Lewis enough that a CMNS was worked and our software transitioned to operations during the Kosovo air war.
We furthermore tested the science behind the additional channels from AVHRR and developed pieces of CDFS II years before its actual operation (2002).  We were able to verify the validity of the science but also discover design flaws and correct key thresholds early in the program, ensuring operational practicality right out of the box.

## DMSP 3D Cloud Analysis

**Example Cloud Products:**
**Source: CMNS**
**Algorithm: SERCAA**
**F15 07Oct04 ~16Z**
**Total Cloud Amount (%)**
**Visual Imagery (2.8km)**

## NPOESS IDPS Risk Reduction

**VIIRS cloud mask (VCM) algorithm sufficiency risk assessment (community) resulted in IGS submission, Fall 2002**
**Produced 3D clouds using NASA MODIS cloud mask, Dec02**
**SERCAA algorithms using MODIS radiances added Feb04**
**Automated Aqua/Terra NH near real-time processing, Jun04**
**Abbreviated version of the VCM using MODIS data as a proxy, first executed in Jul04**
**NRT capability either MODIS-SERCAA or VIIRS**
**VCM results inserted into our 3D cloud analysis via heritage SERCAA 2D->3D techniques (24 and 6km)**
**Focus of our current risk reduction efforts**
**Assist NGST with terminator/nighttime testing and tuning, conditions critical to DoD**

**Notes:**
The IDPS work is ongoing.  We have already proven the CDFS II science (SERCAA) may be used with NPOESS radiances using MODIS as a surrogate, and are running this science in a near real-time manner today. 
We continue to update the abbreviated VCM, ultimately reaching the point where it simulates the VCM in its entirety.   We are finding very good results in the daytime, but questionable ones in all other conditions, though even in those cases we are working improvements.
The following examples, taken just last week, shows the current status of our work on the VCM.

## Tools of the Trade

## Example Cloud Detection/Masks

## Cloud Algorithm Tuning Tool

## Technology Transition (SSMI/S)

**SSMI/S Calibration and Validation Support**
**Collection and automated data processing of DMSP MW sensors (SSMI/S, SSM/I, T/1, and T/2) and leverage NOAA AMSU A/B products**
**Collocation (temporal/spatial) of ground truth observations (LIDAR, Raobs) with sensor data (TDR, SDR, and EDRs) forms “matchups”**
**Document “matchups” with collocated NWP, CDFSII, SSTs and Vis/IR imagery**
**Distribute “matchups” in NRT to geographically distributed team**
**Archive “all” data including dependent data for future reprocessing**

**Notes:**
Our support for SSMI/S is fundamental to the its’ ultimate success.  The list of collocated products on this slide cannot be produced anywhere else, since we can combine our ability to obtain both the SSMI/S and operational data, whether it is observations or model products, in the Omaha office.  These match-ups ease the work by the scientists performing the Cal/Val of the new sensor.  This activity is a model of how Cal/Val data is produced and archived and can be used as a reference for future Cal/Val activities such as NPOESS. 

## Technology Transition (METSAT)

**Flexible and Rigorous Geostationary Satellite Data Navigation, Calibration, and Imagery Generation**
**User GUI to “rubber band” areas of interest (AOI), automated and radiometrically accurate imagery production for each AOI**
**GMS-5 and METEOSAT 5/7 (2000)**
**GOES-9/10/11/12 (2003)**
**Now in routine operations at AFWA feeding JAAWIN**
**DMSP OLSView GUI application**
**Comprehensive navigation of full spatial/spectral imagery**
**Spacecraft roll, pitch, yaw, and time offset corrections support**
**Used in assessment of F15 gyros anomalies**

**Notes:**
Our access to real-time data has allowed us to perform technology transition activities supporting the AF.  Our navigation software is now applied to each operational geostationary satellite exploited by AFWA.  Our DMSP application was critical in assessing F15 anomalies.  The flexibility inherent in our software can assist in any number of support activities as the user sees fit.

## Full Orbit Visualization Tools

**Supports Global/Regional SMD Data**
**On-board ephemeris navigation**
**Allows for satellite roll, pitch, & yaw corrections**

## Future Work and Applicability

**NPOESS (2005+)**
**Risk reduction on VIIRS cloud properties**
**Aerospace development preparations for NPP**
**NPOESS-AFWA IDPS installation, interface checkout, testing, and verification**
**AFWA Involvement/Assistance (2005+)**
**DMSP F17 LEO and transition to operations**
**Evolving Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) Exploitation**
**Architecture implications of NPP/NPOESS data volumes including data processing and management (AFW Enterprise)**
**GOES-R data acquisition, formatting, exploitation and product distribution**

**Notes:**
For most the future is NPOESS, but in reality it is more than NPOESS, and our small local office is nevertheless well poised to assist in many forthcoming weather satellite programs.  Our NPOESS work in the future will combine our ongoing work with clouds along with ongoing work to successfully install and operate an IDPS.  However even before NPP (late 2006), at a minimum, we’ll have F17 and MSG.  Our unique support environment is well placed to support all of these activities, and continue to work for continued mission success.