Wind-speed data based on ocean surface using GNSS-R
The National Oceanography Centre (NOC) has developed global wind speed products based on reflected GPS signals, using data from the UK TechDemoSat-1 satellite, reports Hydro International.
The TechDemoSat-1 satellite, built by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. (Photo: SSTL)
The achievement demonstrates the potential of GNSS reflectometry (GNSS-R) to improve sampling of ocean surface winds, as well as improve weather monitoring and forecasting by complementing existing satellite measurements from scatterometers and radiometers.
The GNSS-R receiver on TechDemoSat-1 is a precursor to eight similar receivers to be flown as a constellation for the NASA CYGNSS mission. CYGNSS — Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System — will be launched Dec. 12 and will observe winds within cyclones, hurricanes and typhoons with unprecedented spatial and temporal sampling.
CYGNSS will launch aboard the Pegasus XL rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. It will make frequent and accurate measurements of ocean surface winds throughout the life cycle of tropical storms and hurricanes.
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