MODIS Airborne Simulator (MAS)

Variety of cloud types/fields throughout the day; some clear sky or thin cirrus regions, especially over the Gulf and southern portions of the Atlantic tracks.

After climbing to altitude, the ER-2 repeated straight flight lines over the western and eastern ground sites extending out over the Gulf (pt. A) and Atlantic (pt. B). Approximately 2-1/2 round trips were made. At 1813 UTC, the ER-2 headed south (pt. C) for a south-to-north track, paralleling the AQUA track (1834 UTC overpass) over the eastern ground site. The ER-2 then headed toward the southwest under direction from NPOL, where relatively short (5-6 minute) legs were flown. The ER-2 then proceeded off the Atlantic (southeast of Miami) followed by a return to Key West.

AQUA Overpass @ 1834 (UTC); VZA = N/A
The AQUA spacecraft was transitioned from "safe mode" on Monday 1 July. As of 2000 UTC, July 3, the MODIS cold focal plane (Shortwave IR bands, including 1.6 and 2.1 µm band) was 3K above the nominal operating temprature.

Western Site: PARSL, Everglades National Park, Gulf Coast Visitor's Center
Location: 25° 50.0´ N , 81° 23.´4 W (25.83°, -81.39°)

Eastern Site: Kendall-Tamiami Airport
Location: 25° 39.3´ N, 80° 25.9´ W (25.66°, -80.43°)

• CoSSIR: Problem with 487 Ghz sensor
• CPL: Operated; good data.
• CRS: Operated; good data.
• EDOP: Operated; good data.
• JLH: Laser failed, no data.
• MAS: 11µm channel had intermittent coherent noise
• MMS: Operated; good data.
• MTP: Operated; good data.
• RAMS: Operated; good data.
• SSFR: Operated; good data.
• Vaisala Dropsonde: 3 dropped; good data.
  
  

• Takeoff times (UTC): WB-57 (1700), Proteus (1515), Citation (1800), Twin Otter (0800 & 1300), P-3 (1200).
• WB-57: In situ sampling in regions of opportunity along the east-west flight line, and do a spiral profile near the eastern ground site at the time of the AQUA / ER-2 coordination.
• Proteus: Fly along the ER-2's east-west track. At about 1800 UTC, will be over the anticipated clear-sky western site/panhandle heading east to rendezvous with AQUA / ER-2.