Calibration and validation of NOAA-21: processes, outcomes, and lessons learned

NOAA-21 is the NOAA primary operational polar satellite in the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS), plays a crucial role in global environmental monitoring by providing critical data for weather forecasting, climate studies, and environmental management. Ensuring the accuracy and reliability of this data requires rigorous calibration and validation (Cal/Val) processes. This presentation will provide an overview of the NOAA-21 Cal/Val process, status updates, key advancements and outcomes, and lessons learned from the Cal/Val activities for NOAA-21. The recommended Cal/Val process improvements for the future Low Earth Orbit (LEO) missions will also be introduced.