Introduction to EarthCARE synthetic data using a global storm-resolving simulation

Abstract. Pre-launch simulated data to be obtained from new sensors on a satellite is useful to develop retrieval algorithms and aid the rapid release of retrieval products after launch. Here we introduce Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agencies (JAXA) EarthCARE synthetic data based on simulations using a 3.5 km horizontal-mesh global storm-resolving model. Global aerosol transport simulation results are added for aerosol retrieval developers. Synthetic data were produced for four types of EarthCARE sensor: a 94 GHz cloud-profiling radar (CPR), a 355 nm atmospheric lidar (ATLID), a seven-channel multispectral imager (MSI), and a broadband radiometer (BBR). JAXA EarthCARE synthetic data include a standard product with data for two orbits and a research product with shorter frames and more detailed instrument settings. In the research products, random errors in the CPR are considered based on the observation window, and noise in ATLID signals are added using a noise simulator. We consider the spectral misalignment effect of the visible and near-infrared MSI channels based on response functions depending on the angle from nadir. We discuss plans for updating JAXA EarthCARE synthetic data using a large eddy simulation and implementation of a three-dimensional radiation model.