Date: Nov 22, 2002

Mission: ARM SGP mapping mission (w/Terra overpass).

Mission Objectives

S-HIS/NAST-I calibration comparison with ARM SGP characterization (Terra overpass at 1714 UTC). Map surface features at CF. CPL depolarization calibration flight.

Flight Summary

Take-off was at 1600 UTC.  ER-2 landed at 1905 UTC.

ER-2 flew from SAT northward to OK, picking up on the Terra orbital track parallel line (offset from nadir to fly over CF) in N. TX at 1633 UTC and continued on that line up to ARM SGP. Clear skies on entire line. Met Terra overpass with ER-2 about 10 km north of the CF. Flew another 8 minutes to the north observing isolated sub visual cirrus (171854-171949 UTC), then turned to return on opposite heading offset by 20 km to the east of CF line. Flew back to TX on this line. Skies clear along this entire line.

Highlights

Clear sky over ARM SGP CF with co-incident Terra (22 deg off-nadir view). Isolated sub-visual cirrus at 1719 UTC in MAS 1.88um.

Instrument Status

• Modis Airborne Simulator (MAS): Operated. Good data.
• NPOESS Atmospheric Sounder Testbed (NAST-I): Operated. Low signal in all bands.
• Cloud Physics Lidar (CPL): Operated. Data system failure.
• Scanner High-Resolution Interferometer Sounder (SHIS): Good data.
• VIS video camera: Operated.  Good video collected.
• M/VIS mini video camera: Operated.  Good video collected.
• RC-10 Cameras: Operated 12" (false color IR) and 6" (b/w) cameras over ARM SGF line for 8 minutes.

Additional Pilot Notes: Pilot observed clear during entire flight.