Prelaunch Performance characteristics of the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS)

摘要

The Atmospheric Infrared Sounder represents a quantum leap in spaceborne sounding instruments with 2,378 infrared spectral channels ranging in wavelength from 3.5 to 15.5 microns. AIRS was built by NASA subcontractor Lockheed Martin Sanders (LM Sanders) in Lexington, Massachusetts and is scheduled for launch on the NASA EOS-Aqua spacecraft in December 2000. Characterization of this high spectral resolution infrared spectrometer invovled extensive laboratory testing in a thermal vacuum environment at cold optical temperatures. This paper summarizes the results of that testing and gives a detailed report on the spectral, radiometric, and spatial performance of the AIRS. Based on teh excellent prelaunch calibration and results of data simulation, AIRS data should significantly improve global weather foreacasts and provide an important new tool for climate research.