Aim

The aim of the International SST FRM Radiometer Network (ISFRN) is to develop a community of in situ radiometer builders, operators and data users who will:

• Promote good practice in the construction and operation of in situ radiometers
• Agree and establish protocols, formats and standards for quality assurance of data
• Provide a single access point for the collection and dissemination of radiometer data
• Support satellite radiometer operators in the long-term validation of satellite products
• Share knowledge and coordinate activities between Network members
• Inform the wider community about the Network's activities

Why are shipborne infrared radiometers important?

• They are used to validate satellite measurements of skin SST, which is what satellite infrared SST measurements measure
• They provide traceability of measurements to NMI standards (FRM4STS)
• In the absence of a dual-view satellite sensor, they provide the reference skin SST (fiducial reference measurement)
• They are needed for the Gap-Bridging between AATSR and SLSTR  
• As more shipborne radiometers join the ISFRN, the current limited global coverage will be improved

The objectives for the ships4sst: FRM4SST project are:

• OBJ-1: Validate satellite SST products to FRM standards.
• OBJ-2: Maintain and evolve the International SST FRM Radiometer Network (ISFRN) and deploy on a continuous basis Thermal Infrared Radiometers (TIR) FRM and necessary supporting instrumentation to validate SST products.
• OBJ-3: Process, archive and quality control ships4sst data following documented FRM procedures that approve their use for FRM satellite validation.  
• OBJ-4: Conduct and report a CEOS FRM radiometer inter-calibration exercise.
• OBJ-5: Implement a comparison of thermal infrared and microwave radiometer measurments at sea.
• OBJ-6: Conduct communications and outreach material promoting the ships4sst: FRM4SST activity.

For instrument operation timeliness and compatibility with the service objectives, the attached spreadsheet is updated with the latest relevant information.