Although DMSP satellite data are widely used, there has been no reliable absolute calibration. Coordinated data with ground-based photometers allow a calibration curve of film density versus 4728 N2+ intensity to be derived. The DMSP satellites (5C series) record airglow and can detect auroral forms of intensities ?50 R of 4278 N2+. It is estimated that the 5D series satellites are capable of detecting auroras with ~ 25 R of 4278 N2+.