Programme
Optical Calibration and Validation
Trusted Earth observation data are critical to climate science, environmental monitoring and operational decision-decision making. This programme brings together the expertise, facilities and capabilities that underpin high-quality data. From pre-launch testing through to in-orbit performance monitoring, the programme supports the full mission lifecycle, ensuring satellite sensors measure consistently and perform as expected against real-world conditions.
Programme Aims
The programme aims to help satellite instrument developers deliver high‑quality data that remains reliable throughout a mission lifetime.
Key objectives include:
- Providing expertise for satellite instrument pre‑ and post‑launch calibration and validation.
- Developing calibration subsystems for flight instruments and the facilities needed for pre‑launch calibration.
- Conducting pre‑launch calibration tests and analysing on‑orbit instrument performance.
- Developing processing algorithms to convert raw data to calibrated data for use in operational data processing.
- Developing and operating instruments and approaches used to validate satellite datasets.
Our work
Supporting missions from early concept through to long‑term performance monitoring, ensuring measurements remain accurate, traceable and usable.
Calibration and systems development
Developing calibration approaches and subsystems that connect instrument outputs to recognised standards. This includes developing flight calibration sources - such as blackbody sources for thermal‑infrared instruments - to ensure traceability of satellite measurements to primary standards.
Pre-launch calibration campaigns
Providing the evidence needed to demonstrate instrument performance before launch, this programme delivers calibration test campaigns, and develops pre‑launch calibration facilities, including development for small satellite calibration facility.
Data processing and uncertainty algorithms
Developing Level‑1 processing algorithms that convert raw measurements into calibrated data products. This includes uncertainty models that quantify and propagate measurement accuracy, enabling robust error budgets and supporting comparison between missions and long-term climate datasets.
Post-launch validation
Monitoring instrument performance throughout the mission lifetime to maintain data quality. This includes analysing behaviour, refining calibration, and validating datasets, ensuring measurements remain reliable and suitable for scientific and operational applications over time.
Case Study Highlight
SLSTR – Providing high accuracy measurements of Earth’s surface temperature
Since 1999, RAL Space teams have developed space‑qualified CCD camera ASICs – originally created to meet demanding mission requirements and withstand destructive effects such as Single Event Latch‑up (SEL) in the radiation environment of space. Their reliability and radiation tolerance laid the foundation for a generation of CCD‑based imaging systems that would fly on major NASA, ESA, NOAA and international missions.
Related facilities
Small Satellite Calibration Facility
Supporting the provision of high quality satellite measurements, the Small Satellite Calibration Facility (SSCF) was developed by RAL Space and NPL to support UK and international start-ups and SMEs, offering rapid, affordable access to world-class calibration services.