New measurands, international expansion, enhanced data exploitation and hardware/software improvements for the HYPERNETS surface reflectance measurement network by staff mobility

The objectives of the HYPERNETS-MOB project are to: a) add new atmospheric and aquatic measurands to the HYPERNETS datasets, b) facilitate international expansion of the HYPERNETS network, c) enhance exploitation of HYPERNETS data and d) improve HYPERNETS hardware and software.The HYPSTAR® pointable hyperspectral radiometer [Kuusk et al, 2024] and the HYPERNETS network [Ruddick et al, 2024] were developed in the H2020/HYPERNETS project (2018-23). The HYPERNETS network, which provides hyperspectral surface reflectance data, is emerging as an essential infrastructure for validation of earth observing satellites. Commercialisation of the HYPSTAR® radiometer has been started by the new SME RSWARE. The network is developing from the H2020 prototype towards an operational measurement service, with funding from the European Space Agency for core operations including network data processing, radiometer calibration, and operations at 5 land and 5 water sites.HYPERNETS provides water and land surface reflectance data as core measurand. There are user requests for additional measurands, such as atmospheric and aquatic products. Staff Exchanges will be used to develop and test algorithms for new measurands.While ESA funding guarantees core operations of the HYPERNETS network until 2027 and probably beyond, there is a need for more validation sites worldwide and there is enthusiasm from non-EU scientists to set up new validation sites (using own/national funding). Such new sites will be facilitated by Staff Exchanges from existing network partners.The HYPERNETS network has focussed on surface reflectance data for satellite validation. Now that the network is consolidating, more effort can be put into data exploitation, including the development of new applications. Staff Exchanges will use HYPERNETS data to demonstrate new applications.Staff Exchanges will also achieve incremental improvements to HYPERNETS hardware, calibrations, and software.