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The VIIRS Collection: Calibration, Validation, and Application
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The VIIRS Collection: Calibration, Validation, and Application

A project collection of Remote Sensing (ISSN 2072-4292). This project collection belongs to the section "Satellite Missions for Earth and Planetary Exploration".

Papers displayed on this page all arise from the same project. Editorial decisions were made independently of project staff and handled by the Editor-in-Chief or qualified Editorial Board members.

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Editors

Dr. Xi Shao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
The ESSIC/CISESS, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
Interests: imaging and sounding sensor calibration and validation; astrodynamics; RF antenna/receiver design; space weather; space environment effects on satellite and sensor
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Xiaoxiong Xiong

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Sciences and Exploration Directorate, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771, USA
Interests: remote sensing instruments and missions; sensor calibration and characterization; calibration inter-comparison; on-board calibrators; lunar calibration
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Changyong Cao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
NOAA National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, Center for Satellite Applications and Research, College Park, MD 20740, USA
Interests: satellite instrument calibration/validation; inter-satellite calibration with simultaneous nadir overpass; satellite measurments for weather and climate applications
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Project Overview

Dear Colleagues,

The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) stands as a pivotal instrument aboard the Suomi National Polar-Orbiting Partnership (SNPP), NOAA-20, NOAA-21, and future JPSS spacecrafts. VIIRS captures moderate-resolution, radiometrically accurate global images using 22 visible/near-infrared and infrared bands, spanning wavelengths from 0.41 to 12.5 microns. Commencing with SNPP in 2011, VIIRS has consistently delivered high-quality global observations for more than a decade, extending its support to diverse applications. These applications encompass weather forecasting, environmental monitoring, ocean and land studies, climate change research, and the monitoring of hazards such as hurricanes, fires, volcanoes, floods, storms, and tornadoes, as well as facilitating disaster relief efforts. The calibration and validation teams supporting NOAA and NASA VIIRS sensor data record (SDR) products perform research and development using advanced calibration and validation algorithms and methodologies for both instrument prelaunch and postlaunch; these ensure that the SDRs meet the mission requirements with sufficient margin and high quality, and enable recalibration with improved accuracy, consistency and stability for time series analysis and climate change detection. The central purpose of this Special Issue is to present a range of research on VIIRS calibration and validation, and to explore the applications enabled by VIIRS onboard SNPP, NOAA-20, and NOAA-21; it also aims to provide an overview of the prelaunch activities for VIIRS on future JPSS missions. The topics of interest for this Special Issue include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • The development of calibration techniques and the use of the results from on-orbit verification in post-launch check-out, calibration and validation, and the long-term monitoring of SNPP, NOAA-20 and NOAA-21 VIIRS sensor data records.
  • Prelaunch calibration and validation work for NOAA-21 VIIRS and future JPSS VIIRS missions.
  • Inter-comparison and inter-calibration of VIIRS data with other similar sensors, and also inter-comparison of calibration methodologies applied to other relevant sensors.
  • Applications of VIIRS data to empower operational environmental monitoring, numerical weather forecasting and climate study, and validate VIIRS data quality.
  • Applications of VIIRS day/night band data in studies involving both geophysical and social economic activities.
  • Application of machine learning and artificial intelligence methodologies using VIIRS data.

Both submissions of original manuscripts of the latest research results and review contributions are welcome.

Dr. Xi Shao
Dr. Xiaoxiong Xiong
Dr. Changyong Cao
Guest Editors

Publisher’s Notice

As stated above, the central purpose of this Special Issue is to present research from The VIIRS Collection. Given this purpose, the Guest Editors’ contribution to this Special Issue may be greater than standard Special Issues published by MDPI. Further details on MDPI's Special Issue guidelines can be found here: https://www.mdpi.com/special_issues_guidelines. The Editorial Office and Editor-in-Chief of Remote Sensing has approved this and MDPI’s standard manuscript editorial processing procedure (https://www.mdpi.com/editorial_process) will be applied to all submissions. As per our standard procedure, Guest Editors are excluded from participating in the editorial process for their submission and/or for submissions from persons with whom a potential conflict of interest may exist. More details on MDPI’s Conflict of Interest policy for reviewers and editors can be found here: https://www.mdpi.com/ethics#_bookmark22.

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the collection website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Remote Sensing is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • VIIRS
  • SNPP
  • NOAA-20
  • NOAA-21
  • DNB
  • calibration and validation
  • aerosol
  • cloud
  • fire

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (4 papers)

Download All Papers

2024

34 pages, 4554 KiB  
Article
Early Mission Calibration Performance of NOAA-21 VIIRS Reflective Solar Bands
by Ning Lei, Xiaoxiong Xiong, Kevin Twedt, Sherry Li, Tiejun Chang, Qiaozhen Mu and Amit Angal
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(19), 3557; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16193557 - 24 Sep 2024
Viewed by 623
Abstract
The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) is one of the key instruments on the recently launched NOAA-21 (previously known as JPSS-2) satellite. The VIIRS, like its predecessors on the SNPP and NOAA-20 satellites, provides daily global coverage in 22 spectral bands from [...] Read more.
The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) is one of the key instruments on the recently launched NOAA-21 (previously known as JPSS-2) satellite. The VIIRS, like its predecessors on the SNPP and NOAA-20 satellites, provides daily global coverage in 22 spectral bands from 412 nm to 12 μm. The geometrically and radiometrically calibrated observations are the basis for many operational applications and scientific research studies. A total of 14 of the 22 bands are reflective solar bands (RSBs), covering photon wavelengths from 412 nm to 2.25 μm. The RSBs were radiometrically calibrated prelaunch and have been regularly calibrated on orbit through the onboard solar diffuser (SD) and scheduled lunar observations. The on-orbit SD’s reflectance change is determined by the onboard solar diffuser stability monitor (SDSM). We review the calibration algorithms and present the early mission performance of the NASA N21 VIIRS RSBs. Using the calibration data collected at both the yaw maneuver and regular times, we derive the screen transmittance functions. The visible and near-infrared bands’ radiometric gains have been stable, nearly independent of time, and so were the radiometric gains of the shortwave-infrared bands after the second mid-mission outgassing. Further, we assess the Earth-view striping observed in the immediate prior collection (Collection 2.0) and apply a previously developed algorithm to mitigate the striping. The N21 VIIRS RSB detector signal-to-noise ratios are all above the design values with large margins. Finally, the uncertainties of the retrieved Earth-view top-of-the-atmosphere spectral reflectance factors at the respective typical spectral radiance levels are estimated to be less than 1.5% for all the RSBs, except band M11 whose reflectance factor uncertainty is 2.2%. Full article
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23 pages, 10245 KiB  
Article
Preliminary Assessment of On-Orbit Radiometric Calibration Challenges in NOAA-21 VIIRS Reflective Solar Bands (RSBs)
by Taeyoung Choi, Changyong Cao, Slawomir Blonski, Xi Shao, Wenhui Wang and Khalil Ahmad
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(15), 2737; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16152737 - 26 Jul 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 660
Abstract
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 21 Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) was successfully launched on 10 November 2022. To ensure the required instrument performance, a series of Post-Launch Tests (PLTs) were performed and analyzed. The primary calibration source for NOAA-21 [...] Read more.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 21 Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) was successfully launched on 10 November 2022. To ensure the required instrument performance, a series of Post-Launch Tests (PLTs) were performed and analyzed. The primary calibration source for NOAA-21 VIIRS Reflective Solar Bands (RSBs) is the Solar Diffuser (SD), which retains the prelaunch radiometric calibration standard from prelaunch to on-orbit. Upon reaching orbit, the SD undergoes degradation as a result of ultraviolet solar illumination. The rate of SD degradation (called the H-factor) is monitored by a Solar Diffuser Stability Monitor (SDSM). The initial H-factor’s instability was significantly improved by deriving a new sun transmittance function from the yaw maneuver and one-year SDSM data. The F-factors (normally represent the inverse of instrument gain) thus calculated for the Visible/Near-Infrared (VISNIR) bands were proven to be stable throughout the first year of the on-orbit operations. On the other hand, the Shortwave Infrared (SWIR) bands unexpectedly showed fast degradation, which is possibly due to unknown substance accumulation along the optical path. To mitigate these SWIR band gain changes, the NOAA VIIRS Sensor Data Record (SDR) team used an automated calibration software package called RSBautoCal. In March 2024, the second middle-mission outgassing event to reverse SWIR band degradation was shown to be successful and its effects are closely monitored. Finally, the deep convective cloud trends and lunar collection results validated the operational F-factors. This paper summarizes the preliminary on-orbit radiometric calibration updates and performance for the NOAA-21 VIIRS SDR products in the RSB. Full article
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13 pages, 2277 KiB  
Technical Note
Early Radiometric Assessment of NOAA-21 Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite Reflective Solar Bands Using Vicarious Techniques
by Aisheng Wu, Xiaoxiong Xiong, Qiaozhen Mu, Amit Angal, Rajendra Bhatt and Yolanda Shea
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(14), 2528; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16142528 - 10 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 738
Abstract
The VIIRS instrument on the JPSS-2 (renamed NOAA-21 upon reaching orbit) spacecraft was launched in November 2022, making it the third sensor in the VIIRS series, following those onboard the SNPP and NOAA-20 spacecrafts, which are operating nominally. As a multi-disciplinary instrument, the [...] Read more.
The VIIRS instrument on the JPSS-2 (renamed NOAA-21 upon reaching orbit) spacecraft was launched in November 2022, making it the third sensor in the VIIRS series, following those onboard the SNPP and NOAA-20 spacecrafts, which are operating nominally. As a multi-disciplinary instrument, the VIIRS provides the worldwide user community with high-quality imagery and radiometric measurements of the land, atmosphere, cryosphere, and oceans. This study provides an early assessment of the calibration stability and radiometric consistency of the NOAA-21 VIIRS RSBs using the latest NASA SIPS C2 L1B products. Vicarious approaches are employed, relying on reflectance data obtained from the Libya-4 desert and Dome C sites, deep convective clouds, and simultaneous nadir overpasses, as well as intercomparison with the first two VIIRS instruments using MODIS as a transfer radiometer. The impact of existing band spectral differences on sensor-to-sensor comparison is corrected using scene-specific a priori hyperspectral observations from the SCIAMACHY sensor onboard the ENVISAT platform. The results indicate that the overall radiometric performance of the newly launched NOAA-21 VIIRS is quantitatively comparable to the NOAA-20 for the VIS and NIR bands. For some SWIR bands, the measured reflectances are lower by more than 2%. An upward adjustment of 6.1% in the gain of band M11 (2.25 µm), based on lunar intercomparison results, generates more consistent results with the NOAA-20 VIIRS. Full article
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23 pages, 11502 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of VIIRS Thermal Emissive Bands Long-Term Calibration Stability and Inter-Sensor Consistency Using Radiative Transfer Modeling
by Feng Zhang, Xi Shao, Changyong Cao, Yong Chen, Wenhui Wang, Tung-Chang Liu and Xin Jing
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(7), 1271; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16071271 - 4 Apr 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1039
Abstract
This study investigates the long-term stability of the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (S-NPP) Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) moderate-resolution Thermal Emissive Bands (M TEBs; M12–M16) covering a period from February 2012 to August 2020. It also assesses inter-sensor consistency of the VIIRS [...] Read more.
This study investigates the long-term stability of the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (S-NPP) Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) moderate-resolution Thermal Emissive Bands (M TEBs; M12–M16) covering a period from February 2012 to August 2020. It also assesses inter-sensor consistency of the VIIRS M TEBs among three satellites (S-NPP, NOAA-20, and NOAA-21) over eight months spanning from 18 March to 30 November 2023. The field of interest is limited to the ocean surface between 60°S and 60°N, specifically under clear-sky conditions. Taking radiative transfer modeling (RTM) as the transfer reference, we employed the Community Radiative Transfer Model (CRTM) to simulate VIIRS TEB brightness temperature (BTs), incorporating European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) reanalysis data as inputs. Our results reveal two key findings. Firstly, the reprocessed S-NPP VIIRS TEBs exhibit a robust long-term stability, as demonstrated through analyses of the observation minus background BT differences (O-B ∆BTs) between VIIRS measurements (O) and CRTM simulations (B). The drifts of the O-B BT differences are consistently less than 0.102 K/Decade across all S-NPP VIIRS M TEB bands. Notably, observations from VIIRS M14 and M16 stand out with drifts well within 0.04 K/Decade, reinforcing their exceptional reliability for climate change studies. Secondly, excellent inter-sensor consistency among these three VIIRS instruments is confirmed through the double-difference analysis method (O-O). This method relies on the O-B BT differences obtained from daily VIIRS operational data. The mean inter-VIIRS O-O BT differences remain within 0.08 K for all M TEBs, except for M13. Even in the case of M13, the O-O BT differences between NOAA-21 and NOAA-20/S-NPP have values of 0.312 K and 0.234 K, respectively, which are comparable to the 0.2 K difference observed in overlapping TEBs between VIIRS and MODIS. These disparities are primarily attributed to the significant differences in the Spectral Response Function (SRF) of NOAA-21 compared to NOAA-20 and S-NPP. It is also found that the remnant scene temperature dependence of NOAA-21 versus NOAA-20/S-NPP M13 O-O BT difference after accounting for SRF difference is ~0.0033 K/K, an order of magnitude smaller than the corresponding rates in the direct BT comparisons between NOAA-21 and NOAA-20/S-NPP. Our study confirms the versatility and effectiveness of the RTM-based TEB quality evaluation method in assessing long-term sensor stability and inter-sensor consistency. The double-difference approach effectively mitigates uncertainties and biases inherent to CRTM simulations, establishing a robust mechanism for assessing inter-sensor consistency. Moreover, for M12 operating as a shortwave infrared channel, it is found that the daytime O-B BT differences of S-NPP M12 exhibit greater seasonal variability compared to the nighttime data, which can be attributed to the idea that M12 radiance is affected by the reflected solar radiation during the daytime. Furthermore, in this study, we’ve also characterized the spatial distributions of inter-VIIRS BT differences, identifying variations among VIIRS M TEBs, as well as spatial discrepancies between the daytime and nighttime data. Full article
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