Space-Based Global Weather Monitoring System: FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC Constellation and Its Follow-On Mission

摘要

The FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC (Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate)nmission consisting of six low-Earth-orbit satellites is the world’s first demonstration of Global Positioning Systemnradio occultation in a near real-time operational constellation for global weather monitoring and research. Thenmission has produced over 1800–2200 high-quality good atmospheric sounding profiles per day. Currently, thenatmospheric soundings data are assimilated into operational numerical weather prediction models for globalnweather prediction, including typhoon/hurricane forecasts. The radio occultation data have been shown to have anpositive impact on weather predictions at many national weather forecast centers. The goal of a proposed follow-onnmission is to transfer from the current experimental research mission to a significantly improved real-timenoperational mission, which will reliably provide no less than 8000 soundings per day. We envision a new andnimproved mission to be a constellation of 12 satellites with data latency less than 1.5 h, which will provide greatlynenhanced opportunities for operational forecasts and scientific research. In this paper, we describe highlights of thenresults of the current mission, the follow-on mission definition trade analysis results, and the new spacecraftnconstellation system design with the next-generation radio occultation receiver onboard.