MODIS Airborne Simulator (MAS)

Fly south into the tropics to observe clear sky, thin cirrus, and anvils. The flight track allows for an underflight of TERRA on a southward track, and AQUA views on the northward legs.

After climbing to altitude, the ER-2 headed out to the western side of Cuban airspace, then headed southwest through Yucatan Channel along the ground track of the TERRA overpass for a 25 minute leg (FIR waypoints Medux to Aniko), then turned southwest before turning on a more southerly track to 10° 41.0´ N, 80° 37.0´ W (off the coast of the Nicaragua-Costa Rica border). The ER-2 then reversed course, flying northward along the same track.

AQUA Overpass @ 1934 (UTC); VZA = ~51° (relative to ER-2 track)
TERRA Overpass @ 1629 (UTC); VZA = 0° (relative to ER-2 track)

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: Failed early; no data.
• CPL: Operated; good data.
• CRS: Operated; good data.
• EDOP: Operated; good data.
• JLH: Not operated.
• MAS: Operated; good data.
• MMS: Operated; good data.
• MTP: Operated; good data.
• RAMS: Operated; good data.
• SSFR: Operated; good data.
• Vaisala Dropsonde: 6 dropped; good data.
  
  

• Takeoff times (UTC): WB-57 (1530), Proteus (1430)
• WB-57: Flew along in coordination with the ER-2 the entire flight, typically staying within several miles of the ER-2. Penetrated thin cirrus on return flight (~1845 UTC) as well as thick cirrus shields. Execellent coordination with the ER-2 and Proteus during the TERRA overpass. MAS image of WB-57 with contrail underneath ER-2 at 1746 UTC.
• Proteus: Flew along the ER-2 track as far as the TERRA overpass track.