Global space-based inter-calibration system (GSICS) - art. no. 668402

The GSICS is a new program within the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Space Programme and is coordinated by NOAA/NESDIS/STAR. The overarching objective of GSICS is to improve the calibration and characterization of space-based measurements through satellite intercalibration of the international satellite observing system. The GSICS program currently includes participation from the United States (NOAA, NASA, NIST), Europe (CNES/France, EUMETSAT), China (CMA), Japan (JMA) and Korea (KMA). These agencies have agreed to take steps to ensure better comparability of satellite measurements made by different instruments and to tie these measurements to absolute standards. The direct benefit of improved satellite observations will be improved weather and climate assessments and predictions. Satellite intercalibration is vital for reducing measurement uncertainty and to optimally integrate data from different observing systems to support the GEO nine societal benefits. The GSICS activities are currently focused on the intercalibration of operational satellites from United States, Europe, China, Japan and Korea.