Ceres flight model 5 on NPP: Pre-launch performance and sensor data record validation

Understanding our climate requires a climate data record CDR of radiation budget spanning many years. The CERES Flight Model 5 instrument on the NPP will continue the CDR begun by the CERES instruments aboard the Terra and Aqua spacecraft, which have provided over a decade of these data. In order to get measurements of sufficient accuracy, the FM-5 has been extensively calibrated in vacuum prior to launch. Once in orbit, each of the three channels will be calibrated by use of the internal calibration module. Special operations will permit comparison of the FM-5 with FM-3 aboard the Aqua spacecraft in order to maintain a seamless CDR during the transition from the present set of instruments to the FM-5.Other validation checks will be performed so as to keep the accuracy level high.