AMSR/AMSR-E algorithm development and data distribution

Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer (AMSR) is a satellite-borne microwave radiometer, which is developed by the NASDA of Japan. AMSR will be loaded on the ADEOS-II satellite. A local observation time of ADEOS-II is at 10:30 AM. A similar sensor, called as AMSR-E, is also developed by the NASDA. AMSR-E will be loaded on the Earth Observing System (EOS) Aqua of NASA. AQUA will be launched in December 2000, with its local observation time at 1:30 PM. Global data of brightness temperature (level 1) of both AMSR and AMSR-E will be produced at Earth Observation Center (EOC) of NASDA within 3-10 hours after observation. Level 1 data will be transmitted in real time to the Japan Meteorological Agency for their operational use, and also to the Earth Observation Research Center (EORC) of NASDA for research use. Various geophysical products (level 2) will be retrieved from AMSR and AMSR-E. Those products are mainly related with water on the Earth. The following eight geophysical products are planned to be operationally produced: total water vapor, total cloud liquid water, precipitation, sea surface wind speed, sea surface temperature, sea ice concentration, snow water equivalence, and soil moisture. EORC have solicited algorithms to produce level 2 products, and selected one or several algorithms for each product as the day-i algorithms. Members of selected Principal Investigators (PIs) are from 3 Japanese, 7 US, and 1 Italian scientists. The algorithm developments, data validation, and data distribution from EORC are described.