CEOS EO HANDBOOK – MISSION SUMMARY
- CloudSat
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Full Name
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CloudSat
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Status
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Mission complete
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Mission Agencies
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NASA , CSA , DoD (USA)
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Launch Date
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28 Apr 2006
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Mission Links
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mission site | data access portal
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EOL Date
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20 Dec 2023
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EO Portal Info
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NORAD Catalog #
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29107 (TLE)
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International Designator
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2006-016A
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Orbit Type
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Sun-synchronous
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Orbit Period
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98.3 minutes
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Orbit Sense
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Ascending
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Orbit Inclination
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98.2 deg
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Orbit Altitude
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686 km
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Orbit Longitude
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Orbit LST
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13:45
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Repeat Cycle
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Objectives and Applications
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CloudSat uses advanced radar to "slice" through clouds to see their vertical structure, providing a completely new observational capability from space. First use of active 94 GHz radar from space to study clouds on global basis.
Spacecraft orbit lowering and passivation was completed on March 20, 2024. The Mission Closeout Phase will continue until September 30, 2025, when all algorithms and reprocess will be finalized, and the final dataset archived.
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Mission Measurements
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Mission Instruments
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OpenSearch Datasets
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Selected IDN OpenSearch Results (search all 19 ) 2D-CloudSat-TRMM Product ![[Source: 2D-CloudSat-TRMM Product Description, Cloudsat Data Processing Center, http://www.cloudsat.cira.colostate.edu/ ]
+ CloudSat Data
CloudSat data are copied directly from the 2B-GEOPROF HDF files with no alteration beyond limiting the included scans to the region surrounding the intersection with TRMM PR’s path. The CloudSat data range extends 50 scans to either end of the intersection curtain in order to provide context. The first and last 50 CloudSat scans in each file do not have matching TRMM information. Therefore the TRMM Curtain data correspond with the portion of the CloudSat curtain left with these end scans eliminated.
+ TRMM Data
TRMM data is available in two components:
- Curtain data, which contain a basic nearest-neighbor interpolation of the TRMM data on to the CloudSat data’s along track resolution. No height interpolation is performed. The latitude and longitude values provided reference the original latitude and longitude from which the interpolated data originates so it will not generally match up directly with the matching CloudSat curtain scan.
- Block data, which is the full TRMM scan swath which encloses the CloudSat - TRMM intersect curtain. The block data is pulled directly from the TRMM source file with no spatial interpolation and is always 59 scans in along track length.
Complete Product Description:
http://www.cloudsat.cira.colostate.edu/dataSpecs.php?prodid=85](/Images/offsite_link.png) AIRS-AMSU variables-CloudSat cloud mask, radar reflectivities, and cloud classification matchups V3. ... ![This is AIRS-CloudSat collocated subset, in NetCDF 4 format. These data contain collocated: AIRS/AMSU retrievals at AMSU footprints, CloudSat radar reflectivities, and MODIS cloud mask. These data are created within the frames of the MEaSUREs project.
The basic task is to bring together retrievals of water vapor and cloud properties from multiple](/Images/offsite_link.png) AIRS-CloudSat cloud mask and radar reflectivities collocation indexes V4.0 (AIRS_CPR_IND) at GES_DIS ... ![Version 4.1 is the current version of the data set. Previous versions are no longer available and have been superseded by Version 4.1.
This is AIRS-AMSU-CloudSat collocation indexes, in netCDF-4 format. These data map CloudSat profile indexes to the collocated AMSU field of views, and AIRS IR footprints, per AIRS 6-min granule time. Hence it can be considered as Level 1. These data are created within the frames of the MEaSUREs project.
The basic task is to bring together retrievals of water vapor and cloud properties from multiple](/Images/offsite_link.png) AIRS-CloudSat cloud mask, radar reflectivities, and cloud classification matchups V3.2 (AIRS_CPR_MAT ... ![This is AIRS-CloudSat collocated subset, in NetCDF-4 format. These data contain collocated: AIRS Level 1b radiances spectra, CloudSat radar reflectivities, and MODIS cloud mask. These data are created within the frames of the MEaSUREs project.
The basic task is to bring together retrievals of water vapor and cloud properties from multiple](/Images/offsite_link.png) CERES A-Train Integrated CALIPSO, CloudSat, CERES, and MODIS (CCCM) Merged Release B1 ![CER-NEWS_CCCM_Aqua-FM3-MODIS-CAL-CS_RelB1 is the Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) NASA Energy and Water cycle Study (NEWS) A-Train Integrated Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO), loudSat Cloudsat, CERES, and Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) (CCCM) Merged Release B1 data product. Data was collected using the CALIOP on CALIPSO and CERES Flight Model 3 (FM3), CERES Scanner, MODIS, and Cloudsat on Aqua. Data collection for this product is complete.
The CER-NEWS_CCCM_Aqua-FM3-MODIS-CAL-CS_RelB1 contains the current CERES CCCM data. The CALIPSO-CloudSat-CERES-MODIS (CCCM) data set integrates measurements from the CALIPSO CALIOP instrument, CloudSat Cloud Profiling Radar (CPR), CERES, and the MODIS data. The cloud and aerosol properties from CALIOP and cloud properties from the CPR are matched to a MODIS pixel and then an Aqua CERES footprint. The product contains only the CERES footprint in each scan with the highest CALIPSO and CloudSat ground track coverage. The product consists of all cloud and aerosol properties derived from MODIS radiances included in the Single Scanner Footprint (SSF) product and computed irradiances included in the Cloud Radiative Swath (CRS) product. Two sets of SSF variables are included in the CCCM data. One set covers the entire CERES footprint, and the other set is only over the CALIOP and CPR ground track. CERES-derived top-of-atmosphere (TOA) shortwave (SW), longwave (LW), and window (WN) irradiances by angular distribution models are also included. In addition, irradiance profiles computed by a radiative transfer model using MODIS, CALIOP, and CPR-derived aerosol, clouds, and surface properties are included in the product. Furthermore, MODIS-derived cloud properties from the algorithm incorporating CALIOP and CPR cloud information are included.
MODIS-derived cloud properties and TOA irradiances derived from CERES radiances are produced by the same algorithm that produces CERES SSF and CRS products. However, the CCCM product should not be considered a climate data record since various input data product versions and algorithm modifications will occur during the measurement period. The scan and packet numbers unique to the CERES footprint provide the means to match the data to other CERES products, although the CCCM product contains more near-nadir CERES footprints compared with SSF and CRS products. The resulting HDF granule contains 24 hours of data.CERES is a key Earth Observing System (EOS) program component. The CERES instruments provide radiometric measurements of the Earth's atmosphere from three broadband channels.
The CERES instruments provide radiometric measurements of the Earth's atmosphere from three broadband channels. The CERES missions follow the successful Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) mission. The first CERES instrument, the proto flight model (PFM), was launched on November 27, 1997, as part of the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM). Two CERES instruments (FM1 and FM2) were launched into polar orbit onboard the Earth Observing System (EOS) flagship Terra on December 18, 1999. Two additional CERES instruments (FM3 and FM4) were launched onboard Earth Observing System (EOS) Aqua on May 4, 2002. The CERES FM5 instrument was launched onboard the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (NPP) satellite on October 28, 2011. The newest CERES instrument (FM6) was launched onboard the Joint Polar-Orbiting Satellite System 1 (JPSS-1) satellite, now called NOAA-20, on November 18, 2017.](/Images/offsite_link.png) CERES A-Train Integrated CALIPSO, CloudSat, CERES, and MODIS (CCCM) Merged Release D1 ![CER_CCCM_Aqua-FM3-MODIS-CAL-CS_RelD1 is the Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) A-Train Integrated Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO), CloudSat Cloudsat, CERES, and Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) (CCCM) Merged Release D1 data product. Data was collected using the CALIOP on CALIPSO, Cloudsat Cloud Profiling Radar (CPR), CERES Flight Model 3 (FM3), CERES Scanner, and MODIS on Aqua.
The CALIPSO-CloudSat-CERES-MODIS (CCCM) data set integrates measurements from the CALIPSO CALIOP instrument, CloudSat Cloud Profiling Radar (CPR), CERES, and the MODIS data. The cloud and aerosol properties from CALIOP and cloud properties from the CPR are matched to a MODIS pixel and then an Aqua CERES footprint. The product contains only the CERES footprint in each scan with the highest CALIPSO and CloudSat ground track coverage. The product consists of all cloud and aerosol properties derived from MODIS radiances included in the Single Scanner Footprint (SSF) product and computed irradiances included in the Cloud Radiative Swath (CRS) product. Two sets of SSF variables are included in the CCCM data. One set covers the entire CERES footprint, and the other set is only over the CALIOP and CPR ground track. CERES-derived top-of-atmosphere (TOA) shortwave (SW), longwave (LW), and window (WN) irradiances by angular distribution models are also included. In addition, irradiance profiles computed by a radiative transfer model using MODIS, CALIOP, and CPR-derived aerosol, clouds, and surface properties are included in the product. Furthermore, MODIS-derived cloud properties from the algorithm incorporating CALIOP instrument data and CPR cloud information are also included.
MODIS-derived cloud properties and TOA irradiances derived from CERES radiances are produced by the same algorithm that produces CERES SSF and CRS products. However, the CCCM product should not be considered a climate data record since various input data product versions and algorithm modifications will occur during the measurement period. The scan and packet numbers unique to the CERES footprint provide the means to match the data to other CERES products, although the CCCM product contains more near-nadir CERES footprints compared with SSF and CRS products. The resulting HDF granule contains 24 hours of data.CERES is a key Earth Observing System (EOS) program component. The CERES instruments provide radiometric measurements of the Earth's atmosphere from three broadband channels.
CERES is a key Earth Observing System (EOS) program component. The CERES instruments provide radiometric measurements of the Earth's atmosphere from three broadband channels. The CERES missions follow the successful Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) mission. The first CERES instrument, the Proto-Flight Model (PFM), was launched on November 27, 1997, as part of the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM). Two CERES instruments, Flight Models 1 and 2 (FM1 and FM2), were launched into polar orbit onboard the Earth Observing System (EOS) flagship Terra on December 18, 1999. Two additional CERES instruments, Flight Models 3 and 4 (FM3 and FM4), were launched onboard Earth Observing System (EOS) Aqua on May 4, 2002. The CERES Flight Model 5 (FM5) instrument was launched onboard the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (S-NPP) satellite on October 28, 2011. The newest CERES instrument, Flight Model 6 (FM6), was launched onboard the Joint Polar-Orbiting Satellite System 1 (JPSS-1) satellite, now called NOAA-20, on November 18, 2017.
RelD1 incorporates the latest CERES SSF algorithms and CALIPSO and CloudSat data versions. An additional input is the CloudSat 2C-ICE product. This version also includes single short CALIPSO cloud information.](/Images/offsite_link.png) CERES A-Train Integrated CALIPSO, CloudSat, CERES, and MODIS (CCCM) Merged Release D2 ![CER_CCCM_Aqua-FM3-MODIS-CAL-CS_RelD2 is Release D2 of a highly fused Level 2 data product that uses multiple satellites and instruments in the Afternoon Train or A-Train to produce high-resolution vertical computed atmosphere fluxes. From Aqua, the Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) Flight Model 3 (FM3) and Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS); from Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO), the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP); and from CloudSat, the Cloud Profiling Radar (CPR) instruments are used in the product. The CCCM product name indicates the CALIPSO, CloudSat, CERES, and MODIS merged data synergy. The cloud and aerosol properties from CALIOP and cloud properties from the CPR are used to create high-resolution vertical profiles and sixteen horizontal groupings of cloud and aerosol that are then matched to a MODIS pixel and then convolved into Aqua CERES footprints. The product contains only the CERES footprint in each scan, which has the highest CALIPSO and CloudSat ground track coverage. The high-resolution information is used to compute within-atmosphere irradiance profiles using the Fu-Liou radiation transfer model (RTM). Four assumptions are used in the RTM: Total-sky, clear-sky (no clouds, but aerosol), pristine (no clouds or aerosols), and total-sky, no aerosol. The product also contains variables from the Single Scanner Footprint (SSF) product, including CERES-derived top-of-atmosphere (TOA) shortwave (SW), longwave (LW), and window (WN) irradiances obtained using angular distribution models and computed irradiances included in the Cloud Radiative Swath (CRS) product based on cloud and aerosol properties derived only from MODIS radiances. Two sets of SSF variables are included in the CCCM data. One set uses imager data covering the entire CERES footprint, and the other set only uses imager pixel data that matches with the CALIOP and CPR ground track. However, the CCCM product should not be considered a climate data record since various input data product versions and algorithm modifications will occur during the measurement period. The scan and packet numbers unique to the CERES footprint provide the means to match the data to other CERES products, although the CCCM product contains more near-nadir CERES footprints that are not in the standard SSF, CER_SSF_Aqua-FM3-MODIS_Edition4A, and CRS, CER_CRS_Aqua-FM3-MODIS_Edition2C, products. The resulting daily HDF granule contains 24 hours of data along the satellite track covering the globe. CERES is a key component of the Earth Observing System (EOS) program. The CERES instruments provide radiometric measurements of the Earth's atmosphere from three broadband channels. The CERES missions follow the successful Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) mission. The CERES instrument, Flight Models 3 (FM3), was launched onboard Earth Observing System (EOS) Aqua on May 4, 2002. CALIPSO is a joint satellite mission between NASA and the French Agency CNES (Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales). CALIPSO was launched on April 28, 2006, to study the impact of clouds and aerosols on the Earth's radiation budget and climate. CloudSat was selected as a NASA Earth System Science Pathfinder satellite mission in 1999 to provide observations necessary to advance our understanding of cloud abundance, distribution, structure, and radiative properties. It also launched on April 28, 2006.](/Images/offsite_link.png) CloudSat 1B-CPR product version 008 ![[Source: CloudSat Standard Data Products Handbook, Cooperative
Institute for Research in the Atmosphere, Colorado State
University]
The CloudSat Cloud Profiling Radar (CPR) measures the backscattered
power as a function of distance from the radar. The backscattered
power is sampled every 240 m; there are 125 range bins, for a total
vertical window of 30 km. The raw, Level 0 data will be converted to
calibrated Level 1B data using pre-launch and in-flight calibration
measurements. The Level 1 B CPR Process Description and Interface
Control Document presents the calibration theory and defines the Level
0 data contents, the Level 1B contents, and the conversion algorithm.
View the complete documentation in the CloudSat Standard Data Products
Handbook: Please see Related URL Links](/Images/offsite_link.png) CloudSat 2B-CLDCLASS product version 009 ![[Source:CloudSat Standard Data Products Handbook, Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere, Colorado State University]
The 2B-CLDCLASS algorithm receives input from 2B-GEOPROF and the corresponding MODIS-AUX and ECMWF-AUX granules to identify eight basic cloud types (that are recognized by surface observers internationally).
View the complete documentation in the CloudSat Standard Data Products
Handbook: Please see Related URL Links](/Images/offsite_link.png) Cloudsat 2B-GEOPROF-LIDAR product version 003 ![[Source:](/Images/offsite_link.png)
Selected FedEO OpenSearch Results (view all 4 results: browser , table ) CPR Cloud Properties DARDAR-CLOUD L2. CLIMATE APPLICATIONS: ![FedEO by ESA - CPR Cloud Properties DARDAR-CLOUD L2. CLIMATE APPLICATIONS:](/Images/offsite_link.png) CPR Cloud Properties DARDAR-CLOUD L2. CLIMATE APPLICATIONS: ![FedEO by ESA - CPR Cloud Properties DARDAR-CLOUD L2. CLIMATE APPLICATIONS:](/Images/offsite_link.png) CALIOP Aerosol Properties SODA L3 (daily). CLIMATE APPLICATIONS: ![FedEO by ESA - CALIOP Aerosol Properties SODA L3 (daily). CLIMATE APPLICATIONS:](/Images/offsite_link.png) CALIOP Aerosol Properties SODA L2. CLIMATE APPLICATIONS: ![FedEO by ESA - CALIOP Aerosol Properties SODA L2. CLIMATE APPLICATIONS:](/Images/offsite_link.png)
Want to explore more? Read about FedEO by ESA or click here to search FedEO or CMR OpenSearch by NASA ![OpenSearch by WGISS](/Images/offsite_link.png)
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