MISR: In-Flight Radiometric Calibration and Characterization Plan

during flight qualification of the panels 5,7 , the predicted degradation was determined to be afunction of contaminants. For this reason it was decided to initially install the Engineering Modelpanels onto the instrument. Following all observatory level testing, the Flight panels will beinstalled, replacing the Engineering Model units. Proper orientation of the panels is crucial, as thepanels do not have a symmetric bidirectional reflectance function (BRF). It is physically possibleto install the panels in the wrong left/ right orientation, as compared to that assumed by the BRFdata base.4.4.2 Degradation checkDegradation testing will be done in ambient pressure and temperature conditions at severalpoints in time during observatory-level instrument integration. This includes post-ship from JPL,and prior to shipping to the launch site. Testing will utilize the MAST where possible. Duringthermal-vacuum testing the integrator will provide a simple illumination system to verifyfunctionality and Science Mode operability.4. Preflight calibration and characterization38