THE NEXT GENERATION US LEO HYPERSPECTRAL INFRARED SOUNDER

Today's state-of-the-art infrared hyperspectral sounders in Low Earth Orbit have demonstrated very high performance in several basic, but very critical, performance characteristics. Because of this, and the high information content of the infrared hyperspectral radiance spectra, the data has proven valuable for a range of applications including 1) radiance data assimilation for medium range numerical weather forecasting, 2) atmospheric soundings for various meteorological applications, 3) trace gases studies, 4) reference inter-calibration, and 5) climate process studies and radiance trending. This paper will discuss the desirable characteristics of the next generation of the US infrared hyperspectral sounder, envisioned to continue the hyperspectral data record after the JPSS series ends in the late 2030s, in order to maintain very high value and return on investment, and even improve the quality of the available data over the current generation.