Global Navigation Satellite Systems

Observing the atmosphere is a challenging task due to its dynamic nature and the complexity of its processes. This requires advanced technology and technique delivered by Global Navigation Satellite Systems-Radio Occultation (GNSS-RO) to advanced meteorological and climate-related studies as well as applications, such as numerical weather prediction analysis, tropopause studies, ionosphere and space weather conditions. GNSS-RO technique has offered the exciting potential for meteorological research. GNSS-RO technique is an emerging technique, using radio signals between the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and GNSS satellites, to probe the Earth’s atmosphere and ionosphere from space. A number of experimental missions and related studies since 1995, have demonstrated GNSS RO is a better observation technique than other current station-based observations and satellite remote sensing techniques that capture the detailed status and processes of the atmosphere properly. In a number of experimental missions and related studies since 1995, GNSS RO has demonstrated many advantages over other atmospheric observation methods. GNSS-RO technique is currently used by the FormoSat-7 / COSMIC-2 (Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere and Climate) Science Mission. Due to the success of the COSMIC-1 mission, U.S. agencies led by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) partnered with Taiwan’s National Space Organization (NSPO) to execute the COSMIC-2 program. The program witnessed the successful launch of six satellites into low-inclination orbits on June 25, 2019. Among the three payloads of COSMIC-2 is the Global Navigation Satellite Systems-Radio Occultation (GNSS-RO) payload, named Tri-GNSS Radio Occultation System (TGRS). The TGRS payload was developed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and has the capability of tracking up to 12,000 high-quality profiles per day after both constellations were fully deployed. Two space weather payloads the: RF Beacon transmitter and the Ion Velocity Meter (IVM) instruments provided by the U.S. Air Force partner on COSMIC-2 are on board the six satellites. The U.S. Air Force is also partnering on COSMIC-2 and has provided two space weather payloads that are flying on the six satellites: the RF Beacon transmitter and the Ion Velocity Meter (IVM) instruments. The COSMIC-2 mission is providing a revolutionary increase in the number of atmospheric and ionospheric observations, which is greatly benefiting the research and operational communities. With the continued operation of COSMIC-1 and the execution of the COSMIC-2 mission, Global Navigation Satellite Systems-Radio Occultation (GNSS-RO) data will continue to be available to support research and operations for many more years to come. The availability of Global Navigation Satellite Systems-Radio Occultation (GNSS-RO) data from COSMIC-2, has provided unprecedented opportunities for Ghana and other African countries in areas of accurate weather prediction, research, education, and other benefits. Therefore, the University of Energy and Natural Resource (UENR), Ghana in partnership with the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), U.S installed GNSS Referencing receiving station at UENR which forms part of the Earth Observation Research Innovation Centre (EORIC) data acquisition infrastructure for research and education. The station also forms part of the UCAR Terrestrial GNSS Tracking Network worldwide. Data from the station will be available for research and education, also with the partnership between the two institutions, there will be research opportunities for MSc and PhD students since UCAR is to create, operate, and manage National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) on behalf of National Science Foundation and the universities and provide Expertise in ground and space GNSS processing, radio occultation, spacecraft Integration/testing, atmospheric, space weather, and climate science on the COMIC-2 program.