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Optimal satellite orbit configuration for global ocean color product coverage
Optics Express
|May 5, 2019
Summary
Optimizing satellite orbits is key for daily ocean color data. A 90° phase shift for the next Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) satellite can maximize global ocean color retrievals, minimizing coverage gaps.
Area of Science:
- Earth Observation Science
- Satellite Remote Sensing
- Oceanography
Background:
- The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) is crucial for monitoring ocean color.
- Current satellite constellations (SNPP, NOAA-20) face limitations in daily global coverage.
- Optimizing orbital configurations is necessary for enhanced data acquisition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a methodology for evaluating current and future VIIRS orbital configurations.
- To maximize global daily ocean color retrievals from polar-orbiting satellites.
- To identify optimal orbital phasing for the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) series.
Main Methods:
- Evaluating orbital configurations of SNPP and NOAA-20 VIIRS.
- Analyzing coverage losses due to sensor-zenith angles and sun glint.
- Simulating various orbital scenarios for future JPSS satellites.
Main Results:
- Two current sensors (SNPP, NOAA-20) cannot achieve complete daily global coverage.
- High sensor-zenith angles and sun glint significantly reduce ocean color data.
- A 90° phase shift for the JPSS-2 satellite relative to SNPP and NOAA-20 maximizes daily retrievals.
Conclusions:
- Complete daily global ocean color coverage is unachievable with the current two-satellite configuration.
- Strategic orbital phasing, specifically a 90° shift for JPSS-2, is essential for maximizing ocean color data.
- Future satellite mission planning must consider orbital dynamics to enhance Earth observation capabilities.
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