--Bob Kannenberg (rkannenb@pop900.gsfc.nasa.gov), Science Systems & Applications, Inc.
The complete set of these minutes and attachments is available in Portable Document Format (PDF) on the MODIS Home Page at http://modarch.gsfc.nasa. gov/MODIS/MODIS.html.
The MODIS Science Team meeting was held June 24-26 at the Greenbelt Marriott near Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). Team Leader Vince Salomonson welcomed participants and stated that originally we thought we would be near launch at this time, but launch has been delayed and there are still some challenges to be met. These challenges include fixing the Flight Operations Segment (FOS) software, resolving the MODIS instrument's electronic crosstalk issue, and formulating a PI-led adaptive processing plan for MODIS AM-1 data.
Salomonson introduced Kevin Grady, who replaced Chris Scolese as the EOS AM-1 Project Manager. (Scolese is now the Associate Director for EOS at GSFC in the Flight Projects Directorate.) Grady announced that the AM-1 spacecraft will not launch for at least another 6 months, and more specific information will not be available until July. At present all of the instruments, equipment modules, and major assemblies have been successfully tested, delivered, and integrated onto the spacecraft. Grady noted that modifications are being made to the flight software in order to perform the calibration maneuver, which is critical for MODIS. Grady reviewed a "top ten" list of concerns, and number one on that list is the FOS software which, at present, does not support a flight-ready configuration. Rick Obenschain and his team are in the process of cleaning up this software, as well as developing an alternative system, the AM Mission Operations Center (AMOC) which, so far, looks promising. Salomonson commended the entire AM-1 Project on a job well-done. ESDIS Status
Obenschain reviewed the Earth Science Data and Information System (ESDIS) status and provided an overview of the FOS situation. In March it became apparent that the FOS software had significant stability problems that would preclude a launch in the September timeframe. To resolve these difficulties the EOS Core System (ECS) developer (Raytheon) has, among other things, brought in additional staff and expanded the software testing program so as to uncover problems as soon as possible. The developer is working to an internal schedule reflecting a launch date of January 30, 1999.
As Grady mentioned earlier, the AMOC is being developed as an alternative to the FOS. The FOS was intended to control all of the EOS spacecraft, whereas the AMOC would be used exclusively to control the AM-1 spacecraft. A prototype AMOC is now operating in GSFC Building 32, and Obenschain anticipates that the finished product will be available sometime during the second quarter of 1999. So far thermal vacuum spacecraft data have been flowed successfully from the EOS Data and Operations System (EDOS) to the AMOC.
Obenschain asked Mike Moore to discuss ECS status from a MODIS perspective. Moore reported that delayed production rules will in turn delay Science Software Integration and Test (SSI&T) activities needed to resolve integration issues; delay end-to-end testing across Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAAC); and potentially increase the Operations load due to workarounds. ECS will attempt to mitigate these situations in several ways. On-going SSI&T will be performed in the mini-DAAC. The Ocean Data Day rule will be accelerated to the L7/NCR Patch. An October 1998 patch is planned to provide basic Land Tiling, and a January 1999 patch is planned to provide remaining production rules.
Moore pointed out that the Version 0 interface does not support Quality Assurance (QA) very well. The selection of products for science QA is difficult, and additional DAAC operations support is required. In the near-term, ECS is initiating an effort to enhance the Version 0 Client; for the long-term, ECS is studying the feasibility of independent Client and Data Management elements.
Moore was asked about the status of certification testing, and he replied that certification testing is being treated as a set of end-to-end system tests. ECS is building up to a data day test with whatever data are available at that time. After that the DAACs will perform additional operational readiness testing, and ramp up to performing a 3-day test. Moore asserted that there is no intention on the part of ESDIS to set a hard deadline to say that if something is not ready for certification testing, then it cannot go to launch.
Finally Guenther stated that fixes have been implemented to eliminate the potential for blown fuses due to phantom commands. The fixes include a software change and rewiring of two circuit card assemblies (CCA) in the forward analog module (FAM).
Guenther reviewed fixes made to the FM1 instrument. The fix to eliminate phantom commands was somewhat more substantial on the FM1 instrument; in addition to rewiring the FAM, the CCAs in the main electronics module (MEM) were re-worked. The SWMIR out-of-band light leak in the 5.3-µm region has been eliminated by adding a blocking filter coating to the cold window above the SWMIR focal plane assembly (FPA). SWMIR light leaks affecting Bands 24, 25, and 26, and potentially Band 5 have been incorporated; four stripes were painted on the FPA mask and one stripe on the Intermediate Filter Assembly (IFA) mask near Band 6. A reduced-scatter scan mirror has been integrated on FM1, and this mirror should result in improved sea surface temperature (SST) data for the MODIS Ocean (MOCEAN) Group. Guenther indicated that he will discuss the FM1 test program off line with Otis Brown.
Masuoka provided an overview of MEBS capabilities. He noted that MEBS will soon be folded into the Team Leader Computing Facility (TLCF). MEBS will be able to generate all at-launch products in sufficient quantities to enable the Science Team to test, debug, and validate its algorithms. (Coverage goal is 100% of Level 1 and 25% of Level 2 products and above.) Masuoka announced that MEBS intends to conduct a "week-in-the-life" test with Product Generation Executives (PGEs) from all 3 disciplines producing both Level 2 and Level 3 products in the August or September time frame. He reviewed processing hardware now on the floor. MODLAND QA requires additional storage space, and the additional tape library is in the SDST budget for FY99. Science products can be ordered through the MEBS Web site located at http://modisdm.nascom. nasa.gov. Salomonson indicated that at launch we should definitely have Level 1 products, and enough processing capability to make higher-order products for validation, but, as far as serving the community and interfacing with ECS goes, we are not there yet.
Wharton reported that PGEs 01, 02, and 03 have been fully integrated and tested, and a chain test of these three PGEs has been completed. The GDAAC is looking at how to run production processing so as to maximize the system capability and minimize run times. PGEs 04, 07, 08, and 11 have been integrated and successfully run in the ECS Production Data Processing System (PDPS). Wharton stressed that the GDAAC needs test data to benchmark Level 1 and Level 2 processing (at a minimum 6 hours of data are necessary, although optimally the GDAAC would like to have 24 hours of data).
Greg Scharfen reported that ECS Version 2 Drop 4.05 was installed at the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) DAAC in April. Drop 4p is expected to be installed in August. Staffing, training, and SSI&T at NSIDC are on schedule. A MODIS-NSIDC Technical Interchange Meeting (TIM) was held in Boulder in May. Issues discussed included network capacity and production planning. Scharfen noted that EBNet will be used for DAAC-to-DAAC data transfer.
Howard Gordon presented results of the Marine Optical Characterization Experiment (MOCE)/Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS) initialization cruise, led by Dennis Clark. Gordon stated that on-orbit adjustment of the sensor calibration is based on a comprehensive suite of surface measurements (vicarious calibration). Calibration will be maintained thereafter by less intensive means, including the solar diffuser, lunar views and the Marine Optical Buoy (MOBY). The SeaWiFS initialization cruise served as a "dry run" for MODIS. Gordon presented various plots depicting data gathered during the cruise. He concluded that overall the initialization exercise was a success. Preliminary calibration of all SeaWiFS bands relative to 865 nm was completed.
Steve Ackerman indicated that the MODIS Airborne Simulator (MAS) has flown often on the ER-2 aircraft, most recently this past May and June as part of the First ISCCP Regional Experiment (FIRE) Arctic Cloud Experiment (ACE) conducted in Alaska. Ackerman showed the instrument configuration flown aboard the ER-2 during ACE, and pointed out that it was very similar to the configuration slated to fly aboard the AM-1 and PM-1 platforms. He presented a number of images from the ACE experiment, including stratus-type clouds over open water. Michael King added that the MODIS cloud particle retrieval algorithm was run with MAS data during ACE. Ackerman presented MAS data from the WINDS experiment which suggests that the MODIS Cloud Mask is working well. The Cloud Mask also compares well with Lidar data. Ackerman reported that MAS images from the Subsonic Aircraft Contrail and Cloud Effects Special Study (SUCCESS) indicate that CO2 slicing is working well.
Herring announced that he has formed the EOS AM-1 Outreach Team, which is based at GSFC and comprised of visualizers and science writers who will contribute to the EOS AM-1 Earth Observatory Web Space and "tell the stories" suggested by data from the instruments aboard the AM-1 platform. Ultimately, Herring intends to extend the AM-1 Outreach team to include visualizers, writers, and other potential contributors at other NASA centers, universities, the DAACs, etc. Right now he is trying to establish a closer working relationship between the Outreach Team and the MODIS science community; in the long term, he hopes that the Outreach Team will be able to effectively "showcase" AM-1 scientists' work in the public media, as well as render data products easily accessible and understandable to public "translators" (like educators, media writers, and environmental awareness groups). Herring discussed the ECSO concept. Comprised of senior and prominent EOS scientists, the ECSO was formed to harvest new science results and amplify media play, as well as to provide peer review while helping to temper the messages conveyed by the results. While the ECSO will meet regularly to discuss new results and stories for publication, it will also have to react as necessary to political decisions (e.g., the Kyoto agreement) and natural disasters (e.g., volcanoes, wildfires, etc.). Herring encouraged Science Team members to contact him or ECSO members if they feel they have a story to tell. The ECSO can then link principal investigators (PI) with AM-1 writers and visualizers in order to produce press releases and publish the story in the Earth Observatory Web space.
Herring introduced AM-1 Outreach Team members Mark Sutton and Rob Simmon, who will be producing visualizations of AM-1 data for the Earth Observatory. They demonstrated several animations similar to those that they envision producing with MODIS and other AM-1 instrument data. Sutton noted that he is particularly interested in creating data-fusion animations, overlaying data from two different instruments.
Sutton presented a tour of the prototype Earth Observatory Web space, still very much a work in progress, which is designed according to a "room" concept. Rooms that the user can enter include a site overview, study, tour, indices, site map, library, laboratory, and related links. The target date for establishing a working prototype online is September 1. Sutton asked Science Team members to think about what they might contribute to the Earth Observatory and contact him at: sutton@agnes.gsfc.nasa.gov. Herring reviewed some candidate AM-1 global data sets (global biosphere [MODIS], fires and fire susceptibility, etc.). He stated that he would like feedback from Science Team members as to what products will be ready in the first 60 days after launch, and respective priorities for publicizing these products.
Herring encouraged Science Team members to visit the Global Fire Monitoring site located at: http://modarch.gsfc. nasa.gov/fire_atlas. In late May the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) requested a rapid-response report on the Mexican fires, so in approximately three days (and a couple of nights) the Outreach Team constructed the Global Fire Monitoring site, which includes numerous creative visualizations of satellite fire data, accompanying explanatory text, and links to related sites. Ultimately, the information contained within this site will comprise a case study within the larger Earth Observatory Web space. The Fire Monitoring site received approximately 75,000 hits during its first 2 weeks, and has already garnered complimentary mentions in several publications.
Kannenberg reported that a MODIS Early Images/Web Products Meeting was held June 23 to bring together the outreach and visualization specialists with representatives from the discipline groups, MEBS, and the GDAAC to discuss early production plans (i.e., roughly the first six months after launch). Herring discussed the Earth Observatory, the ECSO concept, and the Global Fire Monitoring site. Simmon and Sutton presented some of the same visualizations that they did today. These visualizations typically require the use of several different software packages. As the Earth Observatory matures, Sutton would like to bring in a programmer to automate the visualization process as much as possible. George Serafino addressed that point by asserting that the GDAAC recognizes the need to subscribe to a full or channel-subsetted MODIS granule. Early image/Web product points of contact were designated for each of the discipline groups, MEBS, GDAAC, and the Earth Observatory.
Kaufman presented an example of a pro-duct accuracy summary, and proposed that MODIS PIs should draft summaries for their respective data products. Categories of information contained in the summary include optimal and non-optimal conditions for derivation from the EOS data, caveats, theoretical accuracy, pre-launch verification, post-launch verification, and references.
Kaufman stated that radiative forcing of climate represents a major uncertainty over the last 160 years of climate change research. MODIS and other satellite data, used in conjunction with ground data and modeling, will enhance our understanding of both direct and indirect radiative forcing. Kaufman discussed indirect radiative forcing and presented plots depicting the effects of smoke particles on clouds. He suggested that there may be a relationship between how white a cloud appears and the amount of particulates it contains (i.e., polluted clouds with larger amounts of particulates will appear to be whiter). Kaufman explained that it is easier to understand the effects of direct, rather than indirect, radiative forcing. Above 1 µm, the effect of smoke on radiation is more pronounced. MODIS will allow us to resolve spectrally the surface and aerosol radiative forcing.
George Morrow announced that he took over as PM Project Manager after Marty Donohoe retired last December. Morrow reviewed the PM organization chart, noting that Pete Pecori is now the Deputy Project Manager and Ken Anderson is the Instrument Systems Manager. Morrow reported that a Critical Design Review (CDR) of the spacecraft was just successfully completed. Integration and Test (I&T) is scheduled to start in June 1999. However, the PM Project is assessing the impact of the FOS delay on spacecraft I&T and developing a risk mitigation approach. Morrow indicated that the FOS problem will probably not affect the PM schedule, but it may affect the cost. PM-1 is still working toward a December 2000 launch date.
Ranga Myneni indicated that in January 1997 a decision was made to revise the Leaf Area Index (LAI)/Fraction of Photosynthetically Active Radiation (FPAR) algorithm. Myneni thanked Joe Glassy and University of Montana personnel for delivering the code for the new algorithm. Myneni summarized the development and status of the MODIS LAI/FPAR algorithm, which is based on a three-dimensional formulation of the radiative transfer process in vegetation canopies. It allows the use of information provided by the MODIS (single-angle and up to seven shortwave spectral bands) and Multi-angle Imaging Spectroradio-meter (MISR) (nine angles and four shortwave spectral bands) instruments within one algorithm. The LAI/FPAR algorithm should allow us to more accurately evaluate the exchange of carbon between the atmosphere and terrestrial vegetation.
King reported that all Atmosphere PGEs are presently at Science Data Support Team (SDST) or the GDAAC. The Atmosphere Group may take advantage of the additional launch delay time to add an aerosol correction in the September/October time frame. Atmosphere storage volume is currently 37.3 GB/day for Version 2. (The Version 1 delivery in May 1997 was 19.2 GB/day, and the ECS baseline of February 1996 was 31.8 GB/day.) Atmosphere processing requirements are 1634 MFLOPS/day. (The Version 1 delivery was 1836 MFLOPS, which includes the factor of 1.6, and the ECS baseline was 654 MFLOPS/day.) King reported that some issues and questions arose from the Atmosphere group's discussion of the AM-1 adaptive processing proposal. The Atmosphere Group is concerned that if MEBS is performing regular processing, then where does the backup capability reside? The group also raised the issue of software version control, especially as it pertains to the Cloud Mask; it appears that the Cloud Mask will be run at multiple locations (including the ECS mini-DAAC, the GDAAC, Miami, MEBS, and NOAA), so it will be necessary to ensure that software changes flow down to all of these locations. Turning to validation activities, King indicated that the Atmosphere Group recently participated in the Fire ACE experiment, and analysis of those data is ongoing. Finally the Atmosphere Validation Plan will be revised to reflect: the AM-1 launch delay; NASA Research Announcement (NRA) validation scientists' activities; EOS PM-1 needs; and rapid response to aerosol events (e.g., Mexican wildfires).
Chris Justice indicated that instrument performance continues to be a MODIS Land (MODLAND) concern, although this should be addressed by continuing MODIS Characterization Support Team (MCST) analysis. The Geolocation schedule appears to be on track; right now we are waiting for ground control point data from EDC. Justice stated that MODLAND would like a schedule for MEBS Land product testing and Land production testing at the DAACs. Turning to the AM-1 adaptive processing proposal, he indicated that MODLAND endorses PI processing, assuming it is funded at a level to do the job properly. MODLAND will continue to work closely with SDST on a reorganization and staffing plan. He noted that if the proposal is approved, there remain MODIS/MISR processing issues to be addressed. John Townshend cautioned that without ESDIS to impose standards, the discipline groups will have to assume this responsibility to ensure compatibility. Justice indicated that MODLAND would like to see an aggressive pre-launch test (using simulated MODIS data) of Land product archive and distribution capabilities at the participating DAACs. He stated that the delayed launch raises contractual issues, and narrows the window to do science. With regard to the budget, he commented that last-minute cuts can be extremely difficult to accommodate, and MODLAND will need additional validation resources for the second half of 1999.
Esaias indicated that MOCEAN's primary concern is the electronic crosstalk problem. If this problem can be fixed on the FM1 instrument (scheduled to fly aboard the PM-1 platform), MOCEAN is in favor of placing it aboard the AM-1 platform in place of the PFM instrument. (Other fixes made to the FM1 instrument, including a new scan mirror, would benefit the Ocean community.) Esaias reported that he was pleased with the results from the SeaWiFS initialization cruise; these results have increased confidence that MODIS has been properly scoped. Turning to the adaptive processing proposal, Esaias indicated that MOCEAN also approves and looks forward to PI-led processing. He addressed the comment that Townshend made about standards and compatibility by acknowledging that a certain amount of standardization is necessary but, in the immediate future, we need to deliver data products, and too many standards and protocols may impede rapid delivery. Esaias announced that MOCEAN intends to use a good deal of SeaWiFS data to test its processing system. (Necessary translators have been developed at Miami.) MOCEAN plans to update its validation plan in light of the launch delay and other factors. Esaias commended Herring and the AM-1 Outreach Team on their efforts so far, and added that MOCEAN has targeted fluorescence and SST as early images.
Guenther reviewed action items currently being worked by MCST. He noted that processing speed at the GDAAC should not be an issue for the Version 2.1 Level 1B software. There has been some discussion about the best method to compute brightness temperatures, and Bob Murphy will attempt to get consensus on this issue. Guenther plans to discuss possible changes to the Level 1B code with the discipline group leaders. When making these changes, we would have to be careful not to impact Level 2 code. Guenther concluded that we need to do a better job on the planned verification of computed Level 1B products; some verification has been done, but more is needed.
Salomonson thanked Science Team members for their cooperation with the latest round of budget cuts. He stated that over the next few weeks the electronic crosstalk problem will be further analyzed. More definitive information should be available by August, and Team members will be notified about the status of this issue. The AM-1 adaptive processing proposal is another issue in progress, and the Team will be kept apprised of its status. The next Science Team meeting will likely be held in November 1998.