Date: Mar 19, 2001
Mission: MODIS Calibration / MAS Checkout Flight.
Mission Objectives
Collect MAS and SHIS data to evaluate MODIS Calibration at the OBC equivalent scan angle. This special angle removes effects of the MODIS scan mirror because the earth scene data is collected at about the same scan angle as when MODIS views its own onboard blackbody source. After several electrical hardware replacements in Port 3, MAS NEdT performance will be evaluated by overflying any clear water in the Gulf of Mexico.
Flight Summary
Take-off was at 1555 UTC. ER-2 landed about an hour early at 1740 UTC.
ER-2 flew from Kelly to south and then east out over the Gulf of Mexico to NW corner of the racetrack for underflying MODIS. However BKN-OVC skies were encountered so pilot did a short run and then aborted the MODIS Calibration objective (before Terra overpass time of 1707 UTC), instead flying towards clear water near the TX coast (1656 - 1702 UTC) for MAS evaluation and then continuing on to base.
Highlights
Clear scenes over water background for MAS performance assessment.
Instrument Status