Instrument observation strategy for a new generation of three-axis-stabilized geostationary meteorological satellites from China

Abstract

Abstract. The Fengyun-4 (FY-4) satellite series is a new generation of geostationary meteorological satellites from China. The newly adopted three-axis-stabilized attitude-control platform can increase observation efficiency and flexibility while bringing great challenges for image navigation as well as integrated observation mode design. Considering the requirements of earth observation, navigation and calibration as well as observation flexibility, instrument observation strategies are proposed. These include the earth, the moon, stars, cold space, blackbody and diffuser observations on which the instruments' in-orbit daily observations must be based. The most complicated part is the star observation strategy, while navigation precision is dependent on in-orbit star observations. A flexible, effective, stable and automatic star observation strategy directly influences star data acquisition and navigation precision. According to the requirement of navigation, two specific star observation strategies for the two main instruments on board FY-4A were proposed to be used in the operational ground system. The strategies have been successfully used in FY-4A in-orbit tests for more than a year. Both the simulation results and in-orbit application results are given, including instrument observation strategies, star observation strategies and moon observation tasks, to demonstrate the validity of the proposed observation strategies, which lay important foundations for the instruments' daily operation.

The Diel Cycle of NH3 Observed From the FY‐4A Geostationary Interferometric Infrared Sounder (GIIRS)

“…The geostationary meteorological satellite FengYun‐4 was brought into orbit on 11 December 2016 around the Earth at an altitude of 35,786 km above the equator at 104.7° E. On board it carries several instruments including the Geostationary Interferometric Infrared Sounder (GIIRS) (Hua et al., 2018; Shang et al., 2019; Yang et al., 2017). Its coverage includes almost all of Asia, which is scanned 10 times per day (starting at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 20, and 22 h UTC) (Q. Zhang et al., 2019).…”