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The "FORMOSAT-3 Program" is an international
collaboration project between Taiwan and the US with joint
efforts of Taiwan's National Space Organization (NSPO)
and University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR)
of the US, the goal of the project is to develop advanced
technology for the real-time monitoring of the global
climate. Therefore, this project is also named Constellation
Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere and Climate,
or FORMOSAT/COSMIC for short.
This project is targeted to place six micro-satellites
into six different orbits at 700~800 kilometer above the
earth ground. These satellites orbit around the earth
to form a low-earth-orbit constellation that will receive
signals transmitted by the 24 US GPS satellites. The satellite
observation covers the entire global atmosphere and ionosphere,
providing over 2,500 global sounding data per day. These
data distribute uniformly over the earth's atmosphere.
The global climate information collection and analysis
can be completed in three hours while the sounding data
will be updated every 90 minutes. Upon the completion
of this project, the frequency of updating weather forecast
can be increased so that the weather reports can be more
efficient. In addition, this system can also be used as
the long-term climate change research, interactive ionosphere
monitoring, global space weather forecast, and earth gravity
research. In the future, Taiwan will be able to exchange
climate observation data with foreign partners in order
to enhance our position and importance in the international
meteorology society.
Through the collaboration and execution of the FORMOSAT-3
Program, NSPO will able to establish Taiwan's capability
in the planning, design, integration, testing and operation
of the micro-satellite constellation. Furthermore, Taiwan's
domestic component manufacturers will receive the micro-satellite
component manufacturing techniques through technical transfer.
Therefore, Taiwan will be able to establish and elevate
the foundation of the manufacturing industry for space
applications.
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