Expected radiometric and spectral significance of MOMS-02 data for vegetation mapping: Calculations based on system parameters applied on spectral field measurements

The MOMS-02 instrument is designed as a "pushbroom" scanning device for spectral data acquisition in the visible (VIS) and near infrared (NIR) range (Band 1: 449-511 nm, Band 2: 532-577 nm, Band 3: 645-677 nm, Band 4: 772-815 nm, IFOV: 13.5 m × 13.5 m), combined with along-track, simultaneously acquired forward, backward Bands 6/7: 524-763 nm (IFOV: 13.5 m × 13.5 m) and nadir Band 5: 512-765 nm (IFOV: 4.5 × 4.5 m) looking stereo capability. The location of the MS bands were done with respect to the suitibility of these spectral regions to analyze vegetation type and status. The calculations of the spectral significance for thematic data evaluation is based on spectroscopic field measurements of crops, balanced with an atmospheric transmission model (Lowtran 7), and the system parameters. The simulation results lead to the conclusion that the spatial, spectral, and radiometric resolution, combined with the on-track stereo capability of the MOMS-02 sensor, will result in substantial improvements in vegetation classification compared to concurrent remote sensing instruments like Landsat TM and Spot HRV.