Copernicus Cal/Val synergy among current and future optical missions

Operational Calibration and Validation (Cal/Val) is required to ensure the quality of and build confidence in Copernicus data. However, current Cal/Val activities are limited and insufficiently harmonized between different missions. The objective of the Copernicus H2020 Cal/Val Solution (CCVS) project is to define a holistic solution for all Copernicus Sentinel missions to overcome current limitations both for current and upcoming Sentinel-missions. This includes improved calibration of currently operational or planned Copernicus Sentinel sensors and the validation of Copernicus core products generated by the payload ground segment. CCVS started with an overview of existing calibration and validation sources and means, identified gaps in the current cal/val practise and is proposing long-term solutions to address the currently existing constraints in the Cal/Val domain. An objective is also to exploit existing synergies between the missions. The analysis performed within the CCVS project is based on experience from many experts in the Cal/Val domain and on feedback from different working groups gathering European Space Agencies, Copernicus Services, measurement networks and International partners. This presentation will give an overall assessment of Copernicus Cal/Val maturity in the optical mission component both for sensor calibration and characterization and for product quality. Required developments in terms of technologies and instrumentation, Cal/Val methods, instrumented sites and dissemination service are addressed. One of our findings is the need for ground-based hyperspectral reference measurements in particular to prepare the validation of CHIME