Post-processing correction of stray-light in space instruments: application to the 3MI earth observation instrument

Stray-light is a major concern in optical instruments and in particular for space missions. While many methods exist to reduce the stray-light by means of hardware optimization, manufacturing capabilities set the limit of the stray-light rejection that can be achieved. Hence, there are situations where the scientists that use the data require stray-light level lower than what hardware alone can reach. This is for example the case of the Metop-SG 3MI mission, which despite a well optimize instrument doesn’t reach as is the performance requirement. In such situations, it is necessary to add in the processing chain of the data a stray-light correction algorithm which further reduces the stray-light level. This paper discusses the algorithm implemented for 3MI.