The Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS) is a Michelson interferometer infrared sounder designed to measure scene radiance and calculate the vertical distribution of temperature, moisture, and pressure in the Earth's atmosphere. CrIS was designed to work in unison with the Advanced technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS), together they create the Cross-track Infrared Microwave Sounding Suite (CrIMSS). The objective of CrIMSS is to provide global three dimensional soundings of atmospheric temperature and moisture as well as provide data on other geophysical parameters.

The technology implemented within NPP provides risk reduction for the NPOESS project. The High-resolution Infrared Sensor (HIRS), a heritage sensor of CrIS, has provided earlysoundings of the Earth atmosphere. The NPOESS Airborne Sounder Testbed (NAST) has conducted successful airplane simulations for both ATMS and CrIS, providing both flight validation and a preview of high-resolution spectral and spatial products. CrIS is the follow on sounder to EOS' atmospheric infrared sounder, which has proven results on its current operation on both Terra and Aqua. CrIS' roots have also grown from the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder, which has demonstrated proven results with its current operation on both the Terra, and Aqua satellites.

Sensor Design
-Modular design allows the future addition
of an active cooler and is larger than 3x3
-Two-Axis Scene Selection Module
with Image Motion Compensation
-Deep-cavity Internal Calibration
Target based on a MOPITT design
-Proven Bomem Plane-Mirror
Michelson Interferometer With
Dynamic Alignment
-All-reflective telescope
-3 Spectral Bands
-3x3 Arrays (14km IFOVs)
-High-performance PV Detectors
– 4-Stage Split-Patch Passive Cooler
• 81K LWIR patch temperature
• 98K MWIR/SWIR patch
– 8 cm Clear Aperture

The CrIS consists of a space-based sensor that produces Raw Data Records (RDRs), and ground-based science algorithms that produce calibrated Sensor Data Records (SDRs) and Environmental Data Records (EDRs). The CrIS sensor forms a key component of the larger Cross-track Infrared/Microwave Sounding Suite (CrIMSS) and is intended to operate within the context of the CrIMSS architecture. The CrIS EDR algorithms generate EDR products for the entire CrIMSS suite.

The scientific information about this sensor can be seen in the Science area.

 

 

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