A primary goal of the Deep Blue (DB) project is to create consistent long‐term aerosol data records, suitable for climate studies, using multiple satellite instruments. In order to continue Earth Observing System (EOS)‐era aerosol products into the Joint Polar Satellite System era, we have successfully ported the DB algorithm to process data from the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS). Although the basic structure of the VIIRS algorithm is similar to that for the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), many enhancements have been made compared to the MODIS collection 6 (C6) version. Most have also been implemented in the latest MODIS Collection 6.1 (C6.1). For example, a new smoke mask was developed based on the spectral curvature of measured reflectance to distinguish biomass burning smoke from weakly absorbing urban/industrial aerosols. Consequently, a new aerosol‐type flag was added into the VIIRS DB data set. In addition, new dust models have been developed to account for the nonsphericity of mineral dust. As a result, a discontinuity in the retrieved aerosol optical depth (AOD) of Saharan dust plumes seen in MODIS C6 products near the boundary between North Africa and the Atlantic has been much reduced. We have also evaluated the VIIRS and MODIS Terra/Aqua C6.1 AOD against Aerosol Robotic Network data. VIIRS and MODIS retrievals show similar performance; around 80% of matchups agree with Aerosol Robotic Network within the expected error of ±(0.05 + 20)%, indicating that DB can provide consistent AOD through the historical EOS and present Joint Polar Satellite System eras.

The Suomi National Polar‐Orbiting Partnership (S‐NPP) satellite, launched in late 2011, carries the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) and several other instruments. VIIRS has similar characteristics to prior satellite sensors used for aerosol optical depth (AOD) retrieval, allowing the continuation of space‐based aerosol data records. The Deep Blue algorithm has previously been applied to retrieve AOD from Sea‐viewing Wide Field‐of‐view Sensor (SeaWiFS) and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) measurements over land. The SeaWiFS Deep Blue data set also included a SeaWiFS Ocean Aerosol Retrieval (SOAR) algorithm to cover water surfaces. As part of NASA's VIIRS data processing, Deep Blue is being applied to VIIRS data over land, and SOAR has been adapted from SeaWiFS to VIIRS for use over water surfaces. This study describes SOAR as applied in version 1 of NASA's S‐NPP VIIRS Deep Blue data product suite. Several advances have been made since the SeaWiFS application, as well as changes to make use of the broader spectral range of VIIRS. A preliminary validation against Maritime Aerosol Network (MAN) measurements suggests a typical uncertainty on retrieved 550 nm AOD of order ±(0.03+10%), comparable to existing SeaWiFS/MODIS aerosol data products. Retrieved Ångström exponent and fine‐mode AOD fraction are also well correlated with MAN data, with small biases and uncertainty similar to or better than SeaWiFS/MODIS products.