Remote sensing applications in the meteorology and operational hydrology programmes of WMO

Remote sensing from satellites continues to have a very large impact on the activities of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and continues to provide very great benefits to meteorological services throughout the world. Meteorological satellites provide remotely sensed data which can be converted into meteorological measurements such as cloud cover, cloud motion vectors, surface temperature, vertical profiles of atmospheric temperature and humidity, snow and ice cover, ozone and various radiation measurements. The meteorological satellites are part of the global operations of the World Weather Watch Programme which serves as the basic programme of the WMO by supporting other programmes and activities. Satellite measurements are critical to the success of many different components in the World Climate Programme. Special projects are being designed for the 1990s to take advantage of the data from satellite systems designed primarily to provide land or ocean observations. The Applications of Meteorology Programme makes use of remotely sensed data to provide products and services to agricultural, aeronautical and marine activities. The transfer of knowledge and technology in satellite remote sensing applications are important elements of the Technical Co-operation and the Education and Training Programmes.     

Plan for the implementation of the world climate research programme

The objectives of the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) are expressed in terms of increasing time scales, from several weeks to several decades. The Programme calls for substantial developments in modelling the interaction of the global atmosphere with the ocean, land surface and sea-ice, as well as improved computations of radiation transfer in the presence of clouds, aerosols and absorbing gases. These developments require a large variety of space as well as surface based observations, and especially, additional efforts for systematic processing of available data to produce consistent records of significant climatological variables. The forthcoming development of a new generation of ocean observing satellites will be an essential component of the WCRP, as they will provide the data base for the large-scale oceanographic projects, the World Ocewan Circulation Experiment (WOCE) and the study of thew Tropical Ocean and the Global Atmosphere (TOGA).     

International co-operation in the use of satellites for the world climate programme

The World Climate Programme (WCP), in dealing with the complex topic of climate, is highly dependent on observations and measurements of many parameters and phenomena occurring from the surface of the Earth to the top of the atmosphere, and global in extent. Satellite observations and measurements are therefore critical to the success of many different components in the WCP. The present network of polar-orbiting and geostationary satellites represents nearly 25 years of international co-operation and now constitutes a part of the Global Observing System of the World Weather Watch. The WCP can satisfy a number of its observation and measurement requirements by making use of this existing satellite network. This can be done either through use of the operational products produced for near-real time applications or through use of the satellite data stored in the archives. An awareness of how to interact with the sources, combined with knowledge about the limitations and deficiencies of satellite data and products, are critical for scientists working in climate research and applications. Among the most important characteristics of satellite observations and measurements for the WCP are the global coverage, consistency and continuity of the data sets.     

Cloudiness over the Eastern Equatorial Pacific for summer 1983 from geostationary satellite data

The extraordinary El-Nino event of 1982–83 started to fade out in the late spring of 1983. However the sea surface temperature of the Eastern Equatorial Pacific still remained warmer than normal in the following summer. To investigate the characteristics of this late transition phase of the 1982–83 El-Nino, the GOES-West satellite data of July and August of 1983 are analyzed. The outgoing longwave radiation field and the distribution of cloudiness, which was derived by using a new threshold technique, are obtained. The longwave radiation field is compared to monthly average climatic indices commonly used at the Climatic Analysis Center. The results of cloud analysis showed some interesting features during the decaying phase of the 1982–83 El-Nino. The diurnal variation of cloudiness indicates that total cloud amounts decrease from 8 GMT to 20 GMT over most of the area. This overall study demonstrates preliminary results of the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project of the World Climate Research Program.     

Proposal for a United Nations Basic Space Technology Initiative

The United Nations Programme on Space Applications, implemented by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, promotes the benefits of space-based solutions for sustainable economic and social development. The Programme assists Member States of the United Nations to establish indigenous capacities for the use of space technology and its applications. In the past the Programme has primarily been focusing on the use of space applications and on basic space science activities. However, in recent years there has been a strong interest in a growing number of space-using countries to build space technology capacities, for example, the ability to develop and operate small satellites. In reaction to this development, the United Nations in cooperation with the International Academy of Astronautics has been organizing annual workshops on small satellites in the service of developing countries. Space technology related issues have also been addressed as part of various other activities of the Programme on Space Applications. Building on these experiences, the Office for Outer Space Affairs is now considering the launch of a new initiative, preliminarily titled the United Nations Basic Space Technology Initiative (UNBSTI), to promote basic space technology development. The initiative would be implemented in the framework of the Programme on Space Applications and its aim would be to help building sustainable capacities for basic space technology education and development, thereby advancing the operational use of space technology and its applications.     

SOLS: A lake database to monitor in the Near Real Time water level and storage variations from remote sensing data

An accurate and continuous monitoring of lakes and inland seas is available since 1993 thanks to the satellite altimetry missions (Topex–Poseidon, GFO, ERS-2, Jason-1, Jason-2 and Envisat). Global data processing of these satellites provides temporal and spatial time series of lakes surface height with a decimetre precision on the whole Earth. The response of water level to regional hydrology is particularly marked for lakes and inland seas in semi-arid regions. A lake data centre is under development at by LEGOS (Laboratoire d’Etude en Géophysique et Océanographie Spatiale) in Toulouse, in coordination with the HYDROLARE project (Headed by SHI: State Hydrological Institute of the Russian Academy of Science). It already provides level variations for about 150 lakes and reservoirs, freely available on the web site (HYDROWEB: http://www.LEGOS.obs-mip.fr/soa/hydrologie/HYDROWEB), and surface-volume variations of about 50 big lakes are also calculated through a combination of various satellite images (Modis, Asar, Landsat, Cbers) and radar altimetry. The final objective is to achieve in 2011 a fully operating data centre based on remote sensing technique and controlled by the in situ infrastructure for the Global Terrestrial Network for Lakes (GTN-L) under the supervision of WMO (World Meteorological Organization) and GCOS (Global Climate Observing System).     

LISA: Heliocentric formation design for the laser interferometer space antenna mission

The LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) mission has been selected by the European Space Agency’s Science Programme Committee as the third large-class mission of the Cosmic Vision Programme, addressing the science theme of the Gravitational Universe. With a planned launch date in 2034, LISA will be the first ever space-borne Gravitational Wave observatory, relying on laser interferometry between three spacecraft orbiting the Sun in a triangular formation. Airbus is currently leading an industrial Phase A system study on behalf of the European Space Agency. The paper will address the astrodynamics challenges associated with the LISA constellation design, driven by tight requirements on the geometric quality metrics of the near equilateral formation.     

Mapping ocean dynamic structure using optical spectroscopic measurements from space

Ocean circulation is an important element in many of the large scale experiments planned for the World Climate Program. Satellite infrared data, particularly that from polar oribiting NOAA weather satellites, have demonstrated a capability for showing flow patterns in the ocean in areas where western boundary currents or upwelling provide sufficient thermal contrast. Many areas, however, have thermal contrasts too low to be mapped reliably and other tracers are needed.Images showing variations in the colour (spectral reflectance) of the surface layers of the ocean, from the Coastal Zone Color Scanner on Nimbus 7, have provided excellent examples of flow patterns traced by movements of water bodies having different phytoplankton content. Examples are presented here which show coastal flow patterns off the British Columbia coast, Gulf Stream flow between the New England sea mounts and the form of the Alaskan Stream.Such imagery has only recently become available, and could contribute greatly to a more detailed understanding of ocean circulation. The CZCS was launched in 1978 and is slowly degrading in operation. It appears that a six-year gap in supply of ocean colour imagery may now occur before a replacement can be launched. A large back-log of data remains to be analysed. The CZCS was the first to make this type of measurement and it seems certain that improved sensor designs could increase the value of the data. One such design being developed in Canada makes use of two dimensional arrays of optical detectors to provide greatly increased spectral resolution, and improved sensitivity.     

Meteorological satellites and cooperative programmes

The paper describes the essence of the international co-operation in the field of space meteorology within the framework of Intercosmos Programme. Some examples of the results obtained are given. A brief outline is presented of basic characteristics of meteorological space system Meteor-2 and experimental equipment used on-board the satellites of Meteor and Meteor-Priroda type.     

Exploring Greenhouse Gases Water and Climate Changes:Scientific Opportunities for the Climate and Atmospheric Composition Exploring Satellites Mission

The Essential Climate Variables (ECVs), such as the atmospheric thermodynamic state variables and greenhouse gases, play an important role in the atmosphere physical processes and global climate change. Given the need of improvements in existing ground-based and satellite observations to successfully deliver atmosphere and climate benchmark data and reduce data ambiguity, the Climate and Atmospheric Composition Exploring Satellites mission (CACES) was proposed and selected as a candidate mission of the Strategic Priority Research Program of Chinese Academy Science (SPRPCAS). This paper presents an overview of the key scientific questions and responses of ECVs in relation to global change; the principles, algorithms, and payloads of microwave occultation using centimeter and millimeter wave signals between low Earth orbit satellites (LEO-LEO microwave occultation, LMO) as well as of the LEO-LEO infrared-laser occultation (LIO); the CACES mission with its scientific objectives, mission concept, spacecraft and instrumentation.      

Measurements of the energy spectra of charged particles within the vertical-10 rocket experiment

On December 21-st, 1981, at 18.35 hours UT from the territory of the USSR (coordinates - 49°N/L 2/) in implementation of scientific objectives and in accordance with the ‘INTERCOSMOS’ Programme, there was launched the heavy geophysical rocket ‘VERTICAL-10’. The scientific payload included a low-energy two-channel spectrometer for measuring the differential flows of electrons and protons within the energy range 0.1 to 10 keV, covered by 15 exponentially distributed energy levels.     

Inter-satellite ranging and inter-satellite communication links for enhancing GNSS satellite broadcast navigation data

Recently the European Space Agency (ESA) has initiated a number of exploratory Projects, within the General Studies Programme (GSP), to analyze what potential improvements on a GNSS system navigation determination and dissemination performance could be brought by introducing inter-satellite ranging & inter-satellite communication-links. The key improvements targeted by these Projects are the enhancement of the orbit and clock prediction accuracy and the reduction of the dependency from ground infrastructure. Both projects adopted the Galileo system architecture as the initial working point.     

Swarm – An Earth Observation Mission investigating Geospace

The Swarm mission was selected as the 5th mission in ESA’s Earth Explorer Programme in 2004. This mission aims at measuring the Earth’s magnetic field with unprecedented accuracy. This will be done by a constellation of three satellites, where two will fly at lower altitude, measuring the gradient of the magnetic field, and one satellite will fly at higher altitude. The measured magnetic field is the sum of many contributions including both magnetic fields and currents in the Earth’s interior and electrical currents in Geospace. In order to separate all these sources electric field and plasma measurements will also be made to complement the primary magnetic field measurements. Together these will allow the deduction of information on a series of solid earth processes responsible for the creation of the fields measured. The completeness of the measurements on each satellite and the constellation aspect, however, implies simultaneous observations of a unique set of important electrodynamical parameters crucial for the understanding of the physical processes in Geospace, which are an important part of the objectives of the International Living With a Star Programme, ILWS. In this paper an overview of the Swarm science objectives, the mission concept, the scientific instrumentation, and the expected contribution to the ILWS programme will be summarized.     

Satellite-derived snow and ice cover in climate diagnostics studies

Satellite-derived estimates of snow and sea-ice area have been produced weekly on an operational basis for over a decade. This paper presents a synopsis of recent climate research and climate diagnostics studies using these data at the National Weather Service's Climate Analysis Center (CAC). Currently available satellite products are evaluated in light of these studies and a set of desired characteristics for future satellite products are discussed.     

A computer network with SCADA and case tools for on-line process control in greenhouses.

Climate control computers in greenhouses are used to control heating and ventilation, supply water and dilute and dispense nutrients. They integrate models into optimally controlled systems. This paper describes how information technology, as in use in other sectors of industry, is applied to greenhouse control. The introduction of modern software and hardware concepts in horticulture adds power and extra oppurtunities to climate contol in greenhouses.     

Aerosols within the world climate research programme

Based on the findings of the meeting of JSC experts on “Aerosol and Climate” (Geneva, 27–31 October 1980) the general research strategy consisting of three phases will be presented. The three phases are: Phase I: Sensitivity tests with available models Phase II: Improvement of climate models and data bases Phase III: Development of advanced climate models with internal aerosol generation and regulation processes. COSPAR's role within this research strategy is outlined.     

The United Nations Basic Space Science Initiative (UNBSSI)

Since 1991 the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs has been conducting a series of workshops on basic space science under its United Nations Programme on Space Applications. Up to 2004 the workshops focussed on capacity building efforts in basic space science, in particular for the benefit of developing countries. From 2005 onwards the workshops and their related activities contributed to the celebration of the International Heliophysical Year 2007. Together these activities and workshops constitute the United Nations Basic Space Science Initiative of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs. This paper reflects on the achievements and outcomes of the Initiative and informs about considerations for its future evolution.     

Update on Fengyun Meteorological Satellite Program and Development

China began to develop its meteorological satellite program since 1969. With 50-years' growing, there are 17 Fengyun (FY) meteorological satellites launched successfully. At present, seven of them are in orbit to provide the operational service, including three polar orbiting meteorological satellites and four geostationary meteorological satellites. Since last COSPAR report, no new Fengyun satellite has been launched. The information of the on-orbit FY-2 series, FY-3 series, and FY-4 series has been updated. FY-3D and FY-2H satellites accomplished the commission test and transitioned into operation in 2018. FY-2E satellite completed its service to decommission in 2019. The web-based users and Direct Broadcasting (DB) users keep growing worldwide to require the Fengyun satellite data and products. A new Mobile Application Service has been launched to Fengyun users based on the cloud technology in 2018. In this report, the international and regional co-operations to facilitate the Fengyun user community have been addressed especially. To strengthen the data service in the Belt and Road countries, the Emergency Support Mechanism of Fengyun satellite (FY_ESM) has been established since 2018. Meanwhile, a Recalibrating 30-years' archived Fengyun satellite data project has been founded since 2018. This project targets to generate the Fundamental Climate Data Record (FCDR) as a space agency response to the Global Climate Observation System (GCOS). At last, the future Fengyun program up to 2025 has been introduced as well.      

Solar spectral irradiance variability in the ultraviolet from SORCE and UARS SOLSTICE

The SOLar-STellar Irradiance Comparison Experiment (SOLSTICE) on the SOlar Radiation and Climate Experiment (SORCE) has been measuring the solar spectral irradiance on a daily basis since early 2003. This time period includes near-solar maximum conditions, the Halloween storms of 2003, and solar minimum conditions. These results can be compared to observations from the SOLSTICE I experiment that flew on the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) during the decline of the previous solar cycle as well as with currently operating missions. We will discuss similarities and differences between the two solar cycles in the long-term ultraviolet irradiance record.     

Progress of Double Star Program

The Double Star Programme (DSP) is the first joint space mission between China and ESA. The mission, which is made of two spacecraft, is designed to investigate the magnetospheric global processes and their response to the interplanetary disturbances in conjunction with the Cluster mission. The first spacecraft, TC-1 (Tan Ce means "Explorer"), was launched on 30 December 2003, and the second one, TC-2, on 25 July 2004 on board two Chinese Long March 2C. Due to the importance of and success of DSP, both CNSA and ESA approved the extension of DSP. This paper presents DSP mission and some important scientific results made based on the data of DSP.