NIST Activities in Support of Space-Based Radiometric Remote Sensing

Published

June 1, 2001

Author(s)

Joseph P. Rice, B C. Johnson

Abstract

This paper provides an overview of NIST research and development in optical radiometry in the field of space-based remote sensing. The applications in this field can be generally divided into two areas: environmental and defense. In the environmental remote sensing area, NIST has had programs with agencies such as the National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to improve the radiometric calibration of sensors that fly on board Earth-observing satellites and produce data used in climate models and weather prediction. Over the years, the scope of activities has grown from in-house measurement of artifacts such as lamps, diffusers, or fillters, to development and off-site deployment of portable radiometers for radiance and irradiance scale intercomparisons, to development and calibration of the space-flight sensors themselves. In the defense remote sensing area, NIST has had programs with agencies such as the Department of Defense (DOD) for support of calibration of small, low level infrared sources in a low infrared background used by the aerospace industry to simulate ballistic missiles in a cold space background. Activities have evolved from calibration of poing-source cryogenic black bodies at NIST, to measurement of irradiance in off-site calibration chambers by a protable vacuum/cryogenic radiometer. As most of these measurement activities were on the cutting edge of what was technically feasible, the field of space-based radiometric remote sensing has compelled NIST to develop a state-of-the art radiometric measurement infrastructure to meet various challenges as they arose. This infrastructure will lead to improved dissemination of the NIST spectroradiometric quantities.

Proceedings Title

Harnessing Light: Optical Science and Metrology at NIST, Conference | | Harnessing Light: Optical Science and Metrology at NIS
T | SPIE

Volume

4450

Conference Dates

August 1, 2001

Conference Title

Proceedings of SPIE--the International Society for Optical Engineering

Pub Type

Conferences

Keywords

aerospace, calibration, defense, environment, radiometry, remote sensing

Citation

Rice, J. and Johnson, B. (2001), NIST Activities in Support of Space-Based Radiometric Remote Sensing, Harnessing Light: Optical Science and Metrology at NIST, Conference | | Harnessing Light: Optical Science and Metrology at NIS T | SPIE (Accessed April 19, 2024)