Summary of terra and aqua MODIS On-orbit calibration and characterization results

Since launch the NASA EOS Terra MODIS has been in operation for more than seven years and the Aqua MODIS for nearly five years. Each MODIS has 20 reflective solar bands and 16 thermal emissive bands. It makes observations at three nadir spatial resolutions: 0.25km, 0.5km, and Ikm and is calibrated on orbit by a set of on-board calibrators (OBC) that include a solar diffuser, a solar diffuser stability monitor, a blackbody, and a spectro-radiometric calibration assembly. This paper provides an overview of Terra and Aqua MODIS on-orbit calibration and characterization activities and results.