First-Principles Earthshine and Skyshine Models

Earthshine and skyshine illuminate missiles and space-based sensors. It is important to quantitatively understand their contribution to the incident infrared, visible, and ultraviolet irradiance on missiles and sensors to be able to assess their impact on the missile defense mission. Computational Physics, Inc. (CPI) proposes to develop and demonstrate an architecture capable of hosting a first-principles earthshine/skyshine model that will facilitate the assessment of earthshine and skyshine on missile defense systems. CPI will survey the missile defense modeling and simulation (M&S) community’s user needs related to earthshine and skyshine, and also survey the current understanding of the key sources and phenomenology contributing to earthshine and skyshine. These surveys will be used to derive specific requirements for the earthshine/skyshine model, to maximize the utility of the model to its users. In addition, CPI will evaluate existing software technologies for their applicability in providing a robust architecture for the model. Key attributes that the technology must support include interoperability, extensibility, and maintainability.