Towards Version 3 of EOS MLS Science Data Processing

The EOS Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) is one of 4 instruments on the NASA Aura satellite launched 15 July 2004. It includes in its measurement suite simultaneous global measurement of vertical profiles of several atmospheric chemical constituents (O3, HCl, ClO, HOCl, BrO, OH, H2O, HO2, HNO3, N2O, CO, HCN, CH3CN, volcanic SO2), cloud ice, geopotential height, and temperature. The MLS Science Investigator-led Processing System (SIPS) produces calibrated radiances (Level 1B), and validated sets of the above profiles (Level 2). This paper presents developments in the EOS MLS data processing towards Version 3 to produce more data products, to increase resolution in some products, and to improve on Version 2 that is 'validated'.