NASA CYGNSS Mission Science & Applications Highlights

The CYGNSS constellation of eight satellites was launched in December 2016 . Each satellite carries a 4-channel bistatic radar receiver that measures GPS signals scattered from the Earth surface. Over ocean, near-surface wind speed and sensible and latent heat flux are retrieved. Over land, near-surface soil moisture and maps of inland water bodies are produced. GPS signals operate at 19 cm wavelength and are largely unaffected by clouds, precipitation, and light to moderate vegetation. This capability, combined with a radar’s ability to observe during the day and night, supports and expands upon other types of remote sensing observations of the same environmental variables. The satellites observe between 40N and 40S latitude due to their low orbit inclination. This plus the fact that there are many of them results in a low revisit time everywhere in the tropics, with most regions sampled 2-3 times per day depending on latitude. This allows CYGNSS to resolve short time scale processes such as diurnal variations in surface heat fluxes and the rapid intensification phase of tropical cyclones.

Science data products have been developed for ocean surface roughness and 10 m referenced wind speed, as well as latent and sensible heat fluxes. Gridded storm-centric maps of winds in tropical cyclones are also produced throughout their full life cycle. Surface soil moisture and flood inundation products are generated over land. The current status of the CYGNSS mission will be presented, together with an update on the status of science data products produced by the mission and highlights of recent scientific applications.