Ocean Observation from Haiyang Satellites

In 2018, China successfully launched three new Haiyang (which means ocean in Chinese, referred to as HY) satellites which are an ocean color observation satellite HY-1C (operational), an ocean dynamics environment satellite HY-2B (operational) and the China-France ocean satellite CFOSAT (experimental). In 2019, all the three satellites had finished their commissioning phases and were declared operational. HY-2A satellite continues to operate in-orbit, and its operational status is basically normal. So in 2020, China has 4 Haiyang satellites in-orbit, China's ocean satellites enter into a new operational application phase. The operation of the ground application system of Chinese ocean satellites is stable. In 2019, Beijing, Hainan, Mudanjiang, and Hangzhou ocean satellite ground stations had received the data of HY-1C, HY-2A, HY-2B, and CFOSAT 5012 orbits and 26.46 TB data had been distributed to both domestic and international users. Chinese ocean satellite data has played an important role in marine disaster prevention and mitigation, development and management of marine resources, maintenance of marine rights and interests, marine environment protection, scientific researches, and blue economy development.      

The use of stereoscopic satellite observation in the determination of the emissivity of cirrus

The feasibility of determining cirrus “emissivity” from combined stereoscopic and infrared satellite observations in conjunction with radiosounding data is investigated for a particular case study. Simultaneous visible images obtained during SESAME-1979 from two geosynchronous GOES meteorological satellites were processed on the NASA/Goddard interactive system (AOIPS) and were used to determine the stereo cloud top height Z_C as described by Hasler [1]. Iso-contours of radiances were outlined on the corresponding infrared image. Total brightness temperature T_B and ground surface brightness temperature T_S were inferred from the radiances. The special SESAME network of radiosoundings was used to determine the cloud top temperature T_CLD at the level defined by Z_C. The “effective cirrus emissivity” NE where N is the fractional cirrus cloudiness and E is the emissivity in a GOES infrared picture element of about 10 km × 10 km is then computed from T_B, T_S and T_CLD.     

构建中国海洋卫星体系提升海洋环境与灾害监测能力

海洋卫星是海洋环境与灾害监测数据的重要获取手段,在海洋防灾减灾和科学研究中发挥着巨大作用.分析了海洋环境观测要素和海洋卫星在海洋环境与灾害监测中的应用状况;结合国外海洋卫星发展趋势和中国实际发展需求,提出了构建中国海洋卫星体系的发展建议,为提升海洋环境与灾害监测能力,推动中国海洋事业发展,促进国民经济和海防安全建设服务.     

低轨卫星的北斗反射信号海洋覆盖分析

北斗系统作为我国自行研制的导航系统，具有独特的混合星座特性，其反射事件在海洋上的空间分布和覆盖性能的研究成果较少。针对上述问题，模拟了北斗三号（Beidou System 3，BDS3）以及全球定位系统（Global Positioning System，GPS）空间星座，模拟不同性能参数的低轨接收卫星，在此仿真系统的基础上，计算反射事件在各仿真场景下的海洋覆盖率以及同时发生反射事件的卫星数量。结果表明：BDS3与GPS相比具有更大的反射事件海洋覆盖率，覆盖性能更优；仿真周期7天与1天相比,前者卫星产生的反射事件海洋覆盖率约为后者5倍；低轨道卫星（Low Earth Orbit,LEO）轨道高度越高，天线波束角度越大，反射事件海洋覆盖率越大；3颗LEO卫星下同时发生反射事件卫星数的平均值约为单颗LEO卫星的3倍。可通过设计多星组网来提高反射事件海洋覆盖率。研究结果对星载反射技术海洋遥感应用方面有一定的参考价值。     

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.     

小卫星编队飞行及其轨道构成

由若干颗小卫星编队飞行组成一个分布式卫星 ,其功能相当或超过一颗大卫星 ,也称为虚拟卫星 ,这将开拓小卫星一个完全崭新的应用领域。文章首先论述编队飞行概念和轨道构成 ;其次讨论虚拟卫星可能的应用实例。     

Towards the automated operations of large distributed satellite systems. Part 2: Classifications and tools

Recent developments have seen a trend towards larger constellations of spacecraft, with some proposals featuring constellations of more than 10.000 satellites. While similar concepts for large constellations already existed in the past, traditional satellite deployments hardly ever feature groups of more than 100 satellites. This trend towards considerably larger satellite numbers originates from non-traditional design and operations of spacecraft by non-traditional space companies. The evolution in the space sector, precipitated by new players, is often referred to as “Space 4.0” or “New Space”. It necessitates a rethinking of the way satellites and satellite constellations are planned, designed, and operated. New operational paradigms are needed to enable automatic, optimal task definition, and scheduling in a holistic approach.This is the second of two companion papers that investigate the operations of distributed satellite systems. This second article investigates the classification of distributed satellite systems and evaluates commercial tools for automated spacecraft operations, whereas the first article performed a survey of conventional and “new space”operations of spacecraft constellations.Classification metrics for constellations are derived and evaluated with respect to their informative value concerning the operation, the automation, and the scalability of the constellation. The proposed classification system is applied to the Dove and RapidEye constellation and allows for a comparison between the presented automation approaches. Commercial tools for automated spacecraft operations are evaluated for several mission task elements, such as orbit control, orbit maintenance, and collision avoidance. Subsequently, the trends, benefits, and standardization needs for operational automation are identified.     

高分七号卫星总体设计与技术创新

高分七号卫星(GF-7)是中国自主研制的首颗1∶1万比例尺立体测绘卫星, 是国家高分辨率对地观测系统重大专项的重要组成部分。卫星围绕“双线阵相机与激光测高仪主被动复合测绘”的新体制,形成了高精度内/外方位元素稳定性设计、高精度姿态稳定控制、首个X频段自适应高速率数据传输系统、星上智能星务管理系统等一系列关键技术和创新点,实现了少控制点或无控制点区域的大比例尺立体测绘能力。介绍了卫星的总体设计情况,总结了观测体制、高精度载荷、姿态控制、高速数传、智能星务等技术创新点,通过卫星在轨初步测试结果进行了评价,认为卫星能够满足1∶1万测绘任务的要求。     

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.      

Fengyun Satellites: Achievements and Future

Chinese meteorological satellite, Fengyun (FY) Satellite, has a polar-orbiting series and a geostationary series. Up to now, 5 polar-orbiting (FY-1A/B/C/D and FY-3A) and 5 geostationary (FY-2A/B/C/D/E) satellites were launched. FY data has been being intensively applied not only to meteorological monitoring and prediction but also to many other fields regarding ecology, environment, disaster, space weather and so and. The FY data sharing system, FengyunCast, is now one of the three components of global meteorological satellite information dissemination system, GEONETCast. The first satellite of the new generation polar-orbiting series, FY-3A, was launched on 27 May, 2008, demonstrating the FY polar-orbiting satellite and its application completed a great leap to realize three-dimensional observations and quantitative application. The first of the next generation geostationary series (FY-4) is planned to launch in 2014.      

风云一号气象卫星地面应用系统

介绍了风云一号气象卫星资料接收处理系统,此系统由北京、广州、乌鲁木齐三个地面站和设于卫星气象中心的资料处理中心组成,也能兼顾接收处理NOAA 和GMS 气象卫星的资料。     

静止气象卫星的功能及姿态稳定方式对功能的影响

<正> 一、前言国际电信联盟无线电规则把气象卫星业务定义为用于气象目的的地球探测卫星业务。但对静止气象卫星业务来说,气象业务部门希望它不仅要具有气象观测功能,而且要具有收集、传送和分发各种气象信息的功能。因此,静止气象卫星不仅是位于静止轨道上的空间气象观测平台,而且也是收集,传送和分发气象数据的中继站,其有效载荷主要是观测地球大气的各种遥感仪器及收集、传送和分发气象数据的通信系统。它兼有地球探测卫星和通信卫星的     

A study of positrons from Soviet nuclear powered satellites as tracers for magnetospheric research

Two Soviet satellites carrying nuclear reactors operated in circular 790 km orbits (65° inclination) in 1987 and 1988. Positrons generated in the satellites' surfaces by the intense reactor gamma radiation escaped and were trapped for periods of minutes to hours in the geomagnetic field. These positrons have been observed on many occasions by gamma ray sensors on the SMM satellite (in 500 km orbit) which identify the positrons by the 511 keV gamma rays created when they annihilate in the satellite surface. The SMM detector provides a time resolution of 64 milliseconds. It has recorded positron rise-times of less than 0.5 second (corresponding to a satellite travel distance of about 1 positron gyroradius) on many occasions as it encounters the low-L edge of positrons injected by the Soviet satellites as far as half-way around the earth. We are studying the potential of these sharply defined positron shells as magnetospheric tracers and as a means for examining particle diffusion and loss processes.     

Europa, tidally heated oceans, and habitable zones around giant planets.

Tidal dissipation in the satellites of a giant planet may provide sufficient heating to maintain an environment favorable to life on the satellite surface or just below a thin ice layer. In our own solar system, Europa, one of the Galilean satellites of Jupiter, could have a liquid ocean which may occasionally receive sunlight through cracks in the overlying ice shell. In such case, sufficient solar energy could reach liquid water that organisms similar to those found under Antarctic ice could grow. In other solar systems, larger satellites with more significant heat flow could represent environments that are stable over an order of Aeons and in which life could perhaps evolve. We define a zone around a giant planet in which such satellites could exist as a tidally-heated habitable zone. This zone can be compared to the habitable zone which results from heating due to the radiation of a central star. In our solar system, this radiatively-heated habitable zone contains the Earth.     

Results About Ocean Satellite Observation

They have played more and more important roles in marine pollution monitoring, marine environment and marine disaster monitor and forecasting, marine resource investigation and marine scientific research. In this paper, the author will give a brief review of China's operational and scientific activities in satellites ocean observation during 2008 to 2010. These activities include the application of the HY-1B for red tide and green tide detecting and monitoring, sea ice monitoring, fishery resources assessment at coastal zone and ocean, marine water quality assessment, sea surface temperature monitoring and forecasting, ocean primary productivity and carbon cycle research, and the development in the ocean dynamic environment parameter application technology before launch of HY-2. The achievements we have made in the ocean observation and monitoring during the past 3 years indicate that, the development of the ocean satellite series and the application of the ocean satellite can greatly promote the development of China's three-dimensional marine observation system and earth-observation system from space, accordingly we can improve the ability of acquiring the marine environmental parameter to sustain the marine economy development and the sea defense construction.      

捕风一号卫星总体设计与技术特点

捕风一号卫星是中国首次实现基于星载导航卫星反射信号测量(global navigation satellite system-reflection,GNSS-R)技术的气象卫星,采用新型L波段海面风场信息探测技术,在风场测量、海面飓风风速反演等方面为国家气象、防灾减灾等行业提供服务.从系统设计角度介绍了捕风一号卫星的总...     

The thermosphere as a sink of magnetospheric energy: A review of recent observations of dynamics

The study of the dynamics and thermodynamics of the earth's upper atmosphere has made significant progress over the past few years owing to the availability of new global-scale data sets from the Dynamics Explorer satellites. The thermospheric wind and temperature fields at high latitude have been observed to depend strongly on forcing processes of magnetospheric origin. A key momentum source is due to the drag effect of ions convecting in response to electric fields mapped down on the ionosphere from magnetospheric boundary regions. Likewise, an important heat source derives from Joule or frictional dissipation due to ion/neutral difference velocities governed, in turn, by magnetospheric forcing. In this paper we discuss the progress made over the last 2–3 years initiated by the new satellite measurements and we review published data on ion and neutral motions in the context of the energy and momentum coupling between the magnetosphere and the ionosphere/neutral upper atmosphere. The observations indicate the existence of a “flywheel effect” which implies direct feedback from the neutral thermosphere to the magnetosphere via the release of energy and momentum previously “stored” in the neutral thermosphere.     

The observation of ocean-surface fluxes of heat,water and momentum for climate studies

The potential of satellite measurements to define the ocean surface fluxes of heat, water and momentum is reviewed. Only surface stress and possibly rainfall can be directly estimated, latent heat flux may be available through parametrization, sensible heat flux cannot be obtained. Each of the radiative flux components may be estimated including possibly the downward longwave flux. However it is emphasised that, even for those fluxes which can be obtained, improvements in absolute accuracy of the monthly mean, area averaged values are required. Sampling by a single polar orbiting satellite is likely to be at best, marginally adequate. In most cases a pair of satellites will be needed.Calibration and continued validation of the satellite data using improved $\text{in situ}$ data will be necessary, and a combination of measurement systems will have to be used if the accuracy requirements are to be approached. Provision of $\text{in situ}$ data systems should be considered as part of the planning for future satellite missions. Satellite data collection and location could result in a considerable improvement to the $\text{in situ}$ data set.     

The adjusted optical properties for Galileo/BeiDou-2/QZS-1 satellites and initial results on BeiDou-3e and QZS-2 satellites

Solar Radiation Pressure (SRP) is the dominant non-gravitational perturbation for GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) satellites. In the absence of precise surface models, the Empirical CODE Orbit Models (ECOM, ECOM2) are widely used in GNSS satellite orbit determination. Based on previous studies, the use of an a priori box-wing model enhances the ECOM model, especially if the spacecraft is a stretched body satellite. However, so far not all the GNSS system providers have published their metadata. To ensure a precise use of the a priori box-wing model, we estimate the optical parameters of all the Galileo, BeiDou-2, and QZS-1 (Quasi Zenith Satellite System) satellites based on the physical processes from SRP to acceleration. Validation using orbit prediction proves that the adjusted parameters of Galileo and QZS-1 satellites exhibit almost the same performance as the corresponding published and “best guess” values. Whereas, the estimated parameters of BeiDou-2 satellites demonstrate an improvement of more than 60% over the initial “guess” values. The resulting optical parameters of all the satellites are introduced into an a priori box-wing model, which is jointly used with ECOM and ECOM2 model in the orbit determination. Results show that the pure ECOM2 model exhibits better performance than the pure ECOM model for Galileo, BeiDou-2 GEO and QZS-1 orbits. Combined with the a priori box-wing model the ECOM model (ECOM+BW) results in the best Galileo, BeiDou-2 GEO and QZS-1 orbits. The standard deviation (STD) of satellite laser ranging residuals reduce by about 20% and 5% with respect to the pure ECOM2 model for Galileo and BeiDou-2 GEO orbits, while the reductions are about 40% and 60% for QZS-1 orbits in yaw-steering and orbit-normal mode respectively. BeiDou-2 IGSO and MEO satellite orbits do not benefit much from the a priori box-wing model. In summary, we suggest setting up a unified SRP model of ECOM+BW for Galileo, QZS-1, and BeiDou-2 orbits based on the adjusted metadata. In addition, we estimate the optical parameters of BeiDou-3e and QZS-2 satellites using a limited number of tracking stations. Results regarding the unified SRP model indicate the same advantages, the STD of satellite laser ranging residuals reduces by about 30% and 20% for QZS-2 and BeiDou-3e orbits respectively over orbit products without a priori model. The estimation procedure is effective and easy to apply to the new emerging satellites in the future.