The primary mission of MASTER is
to:
- Collect ASTER-like and MODIS-like land datasets to support the validation
of the ASTER and MODIS geophysical retrieval algorithms.
- Collect these datasets at a higher resolution than the spaceborne datasets
to permit scaling studies and comparisons with in-situ measurements.
- Underfly the EOS-AM1 ASTER and MODIS sensors to provide an additional
radiometric calibration to assist with in-flight instrument performance
characterization. This is particularly important for ASTER where on-board
calibration is dependent on a single black-body in the TIR and only partial
aperture illumination in the VNIR.
A secondary mission of MASTER is to:
- Provide both a back-up instrument and backup modules for the current MODIS
Airborne simulator, which is committed to a program of atmospheric and
oceanic measurements.
- Provide a wider spectral and dynamic range alternative to the use of the
Thematic Mapper (TM) airborne simulator and Thermal Infrared Multispectral
Scanner (TIMS) airborne scanners.
|
