A methodology for obtaining on-orbit SI-traceable spectral radiance measurements in the thermal infrared

A methodology to achieve spectral thermal radiance measurements from space with demonstrable on-orbit traceability to the International System of Units (SI) is described. This technique results in measurements of infrared spectral radiance R((v) over tilde), with spectral index (v) over tilde in cm(-1), with a relative combined uncertainty u(c)[R((v) over tilde)] of 0.0015 (k = 1) for the average mid-infrared radiance emitted by the Earth. This combined uncertainty, expressed in brightness temperature units, is equivalent to +/-0.1 K at 250 K at 750 cm(-1). This measurement goal is achieved by utilizing a new method for infrared scale realization combined with an instrument design optimized to minimize component uncertainties and admit tests of radiometric performance. The SI traceability of the instrument scale is established by evaluation against source-based and detector-based infrared scales in defined laboratory protocols before launch. A novel strategy is executed to ensure fidelity of on-orbit calibration to the pre-launch scale. This strategy for on-orbit validation relies on the overdetermination of instrument calibration. The pre-launch calibration against scales derived from physically independent paths to the base SI units provides the foundation for a critical analysis of the overdetermined on-orbit calibration to establish an SI-traceable estimate of the combined measurement uncertainty. Redundant calibration sources and built-in diagnostic tests to assess component measurement uncertainties verify the SI traceability of the instrument calibration over the mission lifetime. This measurement strategy can be realized by a practical instrument, a prototype Fourier-transform spectrometer under development for deployment on a small satellite. The measurement record resulting from the methodology described here meets the observational requirements for climate monitoring and climate model testing and improvement.