CNES projects library

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

L

M

N

O

P

R

S

T

U

V

X

February 9, 2017

Iasi-ng

The IASI instrument (Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer) has been flying on Europe’s MetOp weather satellites since 2006. As well as acquiring temperature and humidity data, IASI also measures more than 25 other atmospheric components with a high degree of precision. IASI data are vitally important for weather forecasting, pollution monitoring and climate research. To ensure continuity of service, CNES is working on the IASI-NG next-generation instrument.

Like its predecessor, IASI-NG will use a passive infrared sensor to determine temperature and water vapour profiles in the atmosphere, record ocean surface and land temperatures and monitor a vast range of chemical compounds and other key variables for climate research, including greenhouse gases, desert dust and cloud cover.

With its innovative optical configuration, IASI-NG’s spectral resolution and signal-to-noise ratio will be improved by a factor of two. Measurement precision will also be improved (1 K for temperature and 10% for humidity).

More than just a continuation of IASI, the IASI-NG instrument will be a real asset for atmosphere sciences, particularly numerical weather prediction models, atmospheric composition studies and climate research, thanks to its far-reaching engineering and technological innovations. It will be a key element of Europe’s three MetOp-SG-A series weather satellites, scheduled to launch in 2021, 2028 and 2035.

Mission's news feed

All news about mission