NASA logo and link
EOSPSO logo and link
ASP logo and link
MAS Banner image

MODIS Airborne Simulator (MAS)

FLIGHT SUMMARY INFORMATION

Flight Track Map
track map thumbnail Click map
Flight: 00-154
Date: 31 August 2000
Location: South Africa
Deployment: SAFARI
Principal Investigator: Dr. Michael King (NASA GSFC)
Flight Scientist: Dr. Steven Platinick (NASA GSFC)
Additional Sensors: AirMISR, CLS, LAS, MOPITT-A, S-HIS, & SSFR
Objective: To understand the key linkages between the physical, chemical and biological processes, including human activities, that comprise the southern African biogeophysical system.
Data Evaluation
MAS failed to operate during this mission
Browse Imagery
Flight Tracks: 0
Scanlines: 0
Flight Summary Report

Author: Chris Moeller
Mission Scientist: Chris Moeller
ER-2 Pilot: Ken Broda
Takeoff: 0705 (UTC)
Landing: 0855 (UTC)
Duration: 1:50 (h:mm)

Objective and Summary:

  1. Overfly ground based instrumentation (SPM, MPL) at Skukuza,
  2. Map cirrus cloud to the south of Skukuza for MODIS cloud validation and optical properties with Terra overhead (0823 UTC overpass),
  3. Map fires/scars and aerosol properties along 150 minute segment (~1800 km) transecting gyre in Gauteng sector up into Mozambique sector to Lake Tanganyika,
  4. Coordinate aerosol mapping with CV-580 and JRA in region between Limpopo and Rio Save rivers.

Key Flight Legs:

N/A

Highlights:

Coastal stratus along southern Angolan coast with UK C-130 in situ cloud sampling, Okaukuejo camp in ENP.

AERONET sites and features overflown during this mission:

  • Skukuza (20° 01.2´ S, 31° 29.8´ E)

Pilot Report:

ER-2 climbed out to north and vectored east to align parallel to Terra orbital track (193° heading) for run over Skukuza and on southward towards coast. Before reaching Skukuza, MAS failure occurred and after repeated attempt to revive MAS, aborted the mission (0751 UTC). Other instruments collected about 30 minutes of data. Pilot reported clear over Skukuza and cirrus to south. CPL data review shows some cirrus was over flown before the mission was aborted.

Meteorology:

An active cold front is causing further rainy weather at the Cape. A coastal low is on the Natal coast. A band of upper cirrus has spread northwards into Gauteng region ahead of the frontal systems to the south and lies over the central and eastern areas of South Africa. Partly cloudy to cloudy with upper level cirrus over the southern, central and eastern parts of South Africa. Fine elsewhere.

ER-2 Science Instrument Payload Status

  • AirMISR: not on aircraft; being repaired
  • CLS: Lidar worked properly, but navigation data not recorded
  • LAS: no data
  • MAS: failed 5 minutes after recording
  • MOPITT-A: worked well
  • SHIS: operated in nadir mode; worked well
  • SSFR: worked well
page title background image

Flight 00-154

  • + HOME
  • + CAMPAIGNS
  • - MISSIONS
  • + ORDER DATA
  • + IMAGE GALLERY
  • + REFERENCE
  • + CONTACT US