Synthetic GOES-R and NPOESS Imagery of Mesoscale Weather Events

Development of satellite products that are used by the operational community usually occurs after a satellite is placed into orbit. As a result, the operational life span of a satellite can be reduced due to the time required for product development. As part of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite R (GOES-R) and National Polar-Orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System Preparatory Project (NPP) risk reduction activities at the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA), we have proposed to create synthetic imagery in advance. That is, produce synthetic imagery before the sensor is placed into orbit. Creating not only synthetic satellite images, but also products in advance has the potential to extent the operational life span of future satellites. As a result, our first goal was to demonstrate that synthetic images can be produced.