NASA’s Coastal and Ocean Airborne Science Testbed (COAST) L. Guild 1, J. Dungan 1, M. Edwards 1, P. Russell 1, J. Morrow 2, S. Hooker 3, J. Myers 4, R. Kudela 5, S. Dunagan 1, M. Soulage 6, T. Ellis 4, N. Clinton 4, R. Dominguez 4, B. Lobitz 7, P. Zell 1, R. Berthold 1, C. Smith 1, K. Vassigh 1, A. Demo 1, W. Gore 1, K. Martin 1, and J. Torres 8 Abstract The Coastal and Ocean Airborne Science Testbed (COAST) Project is a NASA Earth-science flight mission that will advance coastal ecosystems research by providing a unique airborne payload optimized for remote sensing in the optically complex coastal zone. Teaming NASA Ames scientists and engineers with Biospherical Instruments, Inc. (San Diego) and UC Santa Cruz, the airborne COAST instrument suite combines a customized imaging spectrometer, sunphotometer system, and a new bio-optical radiometer package to obtain ocean/coastal/atmosphere data simultaneously in flight for the first time. The imaging spectrometer (Headwall) is optimized in the blue region of the spectrum to emphasize remote sensing of marine and freshwater ecosystems. Simultaneous measurements supporting empirical atmospheric correction of image data will be accomplished using the Ames Airborne Tracking Sunphotometer (AATS-14). Based on optical detectors called microradiometers, the NASA Ocean Biology and Biogeochemistry Calibration and Validation (cal/val) Office team has deployed advanced commercial off-the-shelf instrumentation that provides in situ measurements of the apparent optical properties at the land/ocean boundary including optically shallow aquatic ecosystems (e.g., lakes, estuaries, coral reefs). A complimentary microradiometer instrument package (Biospherical Instruments, Inc.), optimized for use above water, will be flown for the first time with the airborne instrument suite. Details of the October 2011 COAST airborne mission over Monterey Bay demonstrating this new airborne instrument suite capability will be presented, with associated preliminary data on coastal ocean color products, coincident spatial and temporal data on aerosol optical depth and water vapor column content, as well as derived exact water-leaving radiances. The Mission Science Traceability Matrix Payload Study Sites and Flight Planning for Monterey Bay, CA Flight Scenario Payload Integration Science Mission Expected Scientific Outcomes The field site will have both open ocean and optically complex water masses, so the full dynamic range of the sensor suites and protocols being used in the field can be evaluated. One field campaign is planned for testing and evaluating the airborne instrument suite. It will consist of flying the imaging spectrometer, together with the AATS-14 and radiometers at various altitudes over an instrumented surface (above). The AATS-14 will provide a simultaneous empirical characterization of the atmospheric column (AOD and water vapor), which will be used for atmospheric correction. During the field data collections, we will obtain MODIS Aqua and Terra, and MERIS data corresponding to contemporaneous deployment of the ship-based measurements from a small boat. Satellite observations will be used to compare accuracy of radiance retrievals and derived products versus the imaging spectrometer, aircraft onboard radiometers, and the in situ measurements. Ship-based Measurements Location (GPS) Water optical data from surface and depth using Satlantic HyperPro II in profiler and “floater” modes –Upwelling radiance (L u ) –Downwelling irradiance (E d ) –Surface E d (E s ) IOP optics cast using Wetlabs absorption/attenuation meter (ac-s) ASD FieldSpec surface reflectance spectra of water targets Water column profile of density ρ, salinity ‰, and temperature °C (CTD casts) Mapping survey A flight-tested instrument suite suitable for cal/val activities for future satellite missions, as well as currently operating and developing missions. Advanced payload capabilities for airborne carrier platforms including UASs. A multi-sensor ocean/atmosphere data set available for improved atmospheric calibration and in-water algorithms. Methodologies for empirical atmospheric correction developed for future airborne imagers of this type (e.g., NASA PRISM) when they come online. Methods to address the biological properties of important coastal zone ecosystems. Enabling technology for a broad range of research activities in the coastal zone to support the scientific community’s research goals and objectives. Funding: NASA HOPE, Science Mission Directorate, Office of Chief Engineer, and SMD/Earth Science Division 1 NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035; 2 Biospherical Instruments Inc., San Diego, CA 92110; 3 NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, MD 20771; 4 Univ. of California, Santa Cruz/NASA, Moffett Field, CA 94035; 5 Univ. of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064; 6 Universities Space Research Association/NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, 94035; 7 Univ. Corporation at Monterey Bay/NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035; 8 NASA Postdoctoral Program/NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035