Ball Aerospace has completed integration and performance testing of the cross-track infrared sounder (CrIS) into Nasa’s national preparatory project (NPP) weather satellite.
CrIS, an advanced infrared sensor, is part of the five-instrument suite that will enable the NPP satellite to collect and distribute remotely sensed land, ocean and atmospheric data to the meteorological and global climate change communities.
The advanced sensor suite will provide atmospheric and sea surface temperatures, humidity sounding, land and ocean biological productivity, and cloud and aerosol properties.
The satellite is expected to undergo environmental testing at Ball Aerospace before its launch in October 2011.