In-orbit performance of the constellation of CYGNSS hurricane satellites

The NASA Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS) constellation of eight satellites was successfully launched into low Earth orbit on 15 December 2016. Each satellite carries a radar receiver that measures GPS signals scattered from the surface. Wind speed over the ocean is determined from distortions in the signal caused by wind-driven surface roughness. GPS operates at a sufficiently low frequency to allow for propagation through all precipitation, including the extreme rain rates present in the eyewall of tropical cyclones. The spacing and orbit of the satellites were chosen to optimize frequent sampling of tropical cyclones. In this study, we characterize the CYGNSS ocean surface wind speed measurements by their uncertainty, dynamic range, sensitivity to precipitation, spatial resolution, spatial and temporal sampling, and data latency. The current status of each of these properties is examined and potential future improvements are discussed. In addition, examples are given of current science investigations that make use of the data.

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Copyright 2019 American Meteorological Society.


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Author Ruf, Christopher
Asharaf, Shakeel
Balasubramaniam, Rajeswari
Gleason, Scott
Lang, Timothy
McKague, Darren
Twigg, Dorina
Waliser, Duane
Publisher UCAR/NCAR - Library
Publication Date 2019-10-01T00:00:00
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Topic Category geoscientificInformation
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Metadata Date 2023-08-18T19:08:55.518224
Metadata Record Identifier edu.ucar.opensky::articles:22937
Metadata Language eng; USA
Suggested Citation Ruf, Christopher, Asharaf, Shakeel, Balasubramaniam, Rajeswari, Gleason, Scott, Lang, Timothy, McKague, Darren, Twigg, Dorina, Waliser, Duane. (2019). In-orbit performance of the constellation of CYGNSS hurricane satellites. UCAR/NCAR - Library. http://n2t.net/ark:/85065/d75h7kdx. Accessed 28 February 2025.

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