COSMIC-2 Product Validation at NESDIS/STAR Using Global Radiosonde Observations

A COSMIC (Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate) follow-on mission, COSMIC-2, has been successfully launched into low-inclination orbits in June 25, 2019. With increased Signal-to-Noise ratio (SNR) from improved receivers and digital beam steering antennas, COSMIC-2 will produce at least 5,000 high-quality RO (Radio Occultation) profiles daily in the tropics and subtropics. COSMIC-2 mission is led by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Air Force (USAF) and partnering with Taiwan’s National Space Organization (NSPO) and UCAR. To support the validation and monitoring of COSMIC-2 and all other available RO missions, the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) Center for Satellite Applications and Research (STAR) has conducted routine COSMIC-2 product comparisons using in situ and satellite data. These routine data quality monitoring activities include comparisons of COSMIC-2 retrieved atmospheric profiles with other satellite observations and retrievals including microwave and infrared sounders, and models, routine comparison of profiles with those from radiosondes (RAOB), and long-term monitoring of the parameters. Initial results for using the RO calibrated GRUAN RS92 and RS41 temperature measurements to validate other RO measurements are shown in this study. The methods to use global RO data to calibrate temperature biases in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere for different radiosonde sensor types are presented. The RO calibrated temperature profiles from different radiosonde sensor types are compared to those from collocated COSMIC-2 measurements. Detail comparison results and causes of differences will be presented. A part of COSMIC-2 comparisons with those satellite observations and retrievals will be briefly mentioned.