Abstract

The global view of the earth provided by satellite borne instruments is crucial if we are to understand and respond correctly to the growing number of environmental threats posed by man's varied activities upon the planet, however, in order to made the fullest use of the information gleaned from satellites it is necessary that the performance of these space borne sensors can be verified. An instrument in space is subject too many environmental extremes--heat, cold, solar and cosmic radiation to name a few. Any or all of these have the potential to affect the performance of the satellite instrument producing changes in the calibration which destroy the utility of the long term view of the globe otherwise afforded.

© 1990 Optical Society of America