Use of a simulator for the study of the sensitivity of the signal sensed by the MERIS spectrometer

The MEdium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) is part of the Envisat-1 polar mission prepared by the European Space Agency. Its objectives are the measurement and the global monitoring of the geophysical parameters related to open oceans and coastal waters, land vegetation and the atmosphere. The aim of this paper is firstly to describe the simulation of the entire MERIS system. Secondly its interest is illustrated: the MERIS mission simulator takes full advantage of the power of numerical computations and thus allows for the systematic testing of the sensitivity of the system performance to any particular parameter well before the launch of the satellite platform. It can also be used to verify or refine the specifications of the instrument and can help in its design with respect to its mission objectives.