Genesis and Evolution of NASA’s Satellite Ocean Color Program

Abstract

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We recount, based on our involvements in NASA ocean color flight projects, the chronology of technical challenges, lessons learned, and key developments over the past 40 + years of NASA satellite ocean color, beginning with the Nimbus-7/Coastal Zone Color Scanner, that have led to the upcoming Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) mission. Topics include the evolution of 1) satellite ocean color and field bio-optical data access, 2) satellite sensor capabilities, i.e., CZCS to PACE’s hyperspectral Ocean Color Imager, OCI, 3) atmospheric corrections, 4) pre- and post-launch sensor characterization and calibration, 5) bio-optical algorithms, 6) in situ-derived radiometry and photosynthetic pigment data measurement quality, and 7) applications of hyperspectral satellite observations.

Keywords

• NASA satellite ocean color missions
• bio-optical algorithms
• atmospheric correction
• satellite sensor calibration
• global ocean chlorophyll-a time series
• hyperspectral remote sensing