Quality Assurance - Operational

Last Update: August 16, 2006

Science Quality Assurance staff investigates any products flagged as "suspect" by Operational QA staff. If a problem is confirmed, Science QA:

1. Updates the QA Log to indicate product investigation status,
2. Updates the Terra or Aqua "Known Issues" page, and
3. Consults with appropriate MODAPS staff and/or Science Team members to determine appropriate action.

Product Approval Procedures

Once a week, and whenever updated code or lookup tables go into effect, Science QA performs in-depth visual screening of Level 2 and Level 3 products as follows:

• Scrutinizes selected parameters directly from the MODATML2 product, down to the pixel level, looking for data gaps, excessive striping, or any other signs of corruption.
• Compares daily global mosaic imagery for several recent days.
• Compares daily global mosaic imagery with the corresponding daily product (MOD08_D3) browse images.
• Updates the Terra or Aqua QA Log.

Science QA staff takes action as above if any product issues are identified by weekly product examination.

Additional Services

Science QA will also generate trending plots, diagnostic images, and product summaries. These services will be listed here when development is complete.