Cross Calibration Methodology for Radiometers from Radio Frequency to Near-IR via Enhanced Modeling and 3D Printed Calibration Targets (CCAL-RF2IR)

The Goal of this IRAD is to incubate the in-house capability to develop custom, Space-Grade, Black-Body Calibration Targets and EMI shielding/absorbing structures for Active and Passive Earth Science remote sensorsfrom Microwave to IR,using 3D-printing technology, thereby enabling low cost (<95% less), rapid fabrication (60% - 75% faster), low mass (33% - 50% less mass) solutions. The near-term b-Test(s) will encompass; the development of a custom external target for the SWESARR radiometer and enable path for flight demonstration for mm-Wave CubeSat instruments being developed and or pursued for funding in code 555. In the long-term, this technology may also be used to develop stray light characterization sources for thermal imaging systems from ultra-violet (UV) to short wave infrared (SWIR) wavelengths.

This work is expected to enhance the science of surface temperature observation, snow retrieval, and climate science as a whole, while establishing a benchmark calibration methodology to build upon for future instrument developments, which has never been done before at GSFC.

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