The 3MI mission: multi-viewing-channel-polarisation imager of the EUMETSAT polar system: second generation (EPS-SG) dedicated to aerosol and cloud monitoring

T. Marbach; J. Riedi; A. Lacan; P. Schlüssel

doi:10.1117/12.2186978

1 September 2015 The 3MI mission: multi-viewing-channel-polarisation imager of the EUMETSAT polar system: second generation (EPS-SG) dedicated to aerosol and cloud monitoring

T. Marbach, J. Riedi, A. Lacan, P. Schlüssel

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 9613, Polarization Science and Remote Sensing VII; 961310 (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2186978
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2015, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

The Multi-Viewing-Channel-Polarisation Imager (3MI), planned to fly on the EPS-SG platform in the time-frame 2020–2040, is a 2D wide field of view radiometer dedicated to aerosol and cloud characterisation for climate monitoring, atmospheric composition, air quality and numerical weather prediction. The role of clouds in determining climate sensitivity to change is highly uncertain, in particular due to their multiple and complex interactions with aerosols. Hence new cloud observation systems (ground-based and space-borne) are needed for cloud monitoring.

The purpose of the 3MI is to provide multi-spectral (from 410 to 2130 nm), multi-polarisation (-60°, 0°, and +60°), and multi-angular (10 to 14 views) images of the Earth top of atmosphere (TOA) outgoing radiances. First results from the 3MI synthetic data simulator will be presented.

Although aerosol and cloud characterisation is the primary application, 3MI will further support observation of landsurface characteristics which will benefit from the enhanced directional and polarisation measurements and provide a better understanding of the Earth radiation budget.

3MI will also benefit from the synergy of other instruments flying onboard EPS-SG. Measurements from thermal infrared channels will be available from the METimage and IASI-NG instruments. Furthermore, the Sentinel-5 will provide information from the ultra-violet to the shortwave infrared, at a coarser horizontal sampling. The synergy with these instruments will also support 3MI with beneficial cross-calibration as 3MI will not have an onboard calibration and its radiometric performance will rely on vicarious calibration.

Citation Download Citation

T. Marbach, J. Riedi, A. Lacan, and P. Schlüssel "The 3MI mission: multi-viewing-channel-polarisation imager of the EUMETSAT polar system: second generation (EPS-SG) dedicated to aerosol and cloud monitoring", Proc. SPIE 9613, Polarization Science and Remote Sensing VII, 961310 (1 September 2015); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2186978

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