The FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC mission is a Taiwan-US collaboration project being carried out by the National Space Organization (NSPO) in Taiwan and the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) in the United States. The mission's science goal is to obtain near-real time global distribution of air pressure, temperature, and water vapor of the atmosphere as well as the electron density of the ionosphere. The data collected are used for weather prediction simulations, global climate change analysis, and ionosphere and gravity research.
Six polar-orbiting micro-satellites will be launched in March, 2006 to form a constellation. Each FORMOSAT-3 satellite carries three primary science payloads: Global Positioning System (GPS) radio receivers, tiny ionospheric photometer (TIP), and tri-band beacon transmitter.
The FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC data will be open to scientists for collaboration on atmospheric and ionospheric research. The FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC mission information is posted on http://www.nspo.org.tw/2005e/projects/project3/intro.htm
After all six FORMOSAT-3 satellites are launched into the initial parking orbits of about 500 km in altitude, it will take 13 months for all satellites to settle in their designed orbital planes with a longitudinal separation of 24 degree and altitude of about 700-800 km. During the first eight months after launch the FORMOSAT-3 satellites will stay relatively close to each other in longitude and the GPS radio occultation data points would be very dense. It is a rare and excellent opportunity for performing cross validation of the radio occultation data with other observations (ground based radiosonde, weather satellite, and balloons, etc.). To make use of this dense observation period, NSPO will conduct an Intense Observation Period (IOP) campaign to perform the cross data validation as well as the prediction studies of typhoon track, heavy rainfall area, and rainfall accumulation in the East Asia region. Researchers are invited to participate in the IOP campaign.
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FORMOSAT-3 Intense Observation Period (IOP) Campaign
