Researchers at the Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR) at the University of Helsinki have discovered that modern weather models can accurately predict the energy that Earth emits and reflects into space, which directly impacts the movements of low Earth-orbiting (LEO) satellites. By utilizing these models, researchers gained insights into how LEO satellites respond to weather events such as tropical cyclones with tall and reflective clouds. The study, published in the Journal of Geophysical Research, used numerical weather models to simulate atmospheric conditions and understand how changes in weather affect satellite movements, potentially enhancing satellite tracking and control.
Numerical weather models are complex computer simulators that forecast future atmospheric conditions based on current observations and the laws of physics. Lead author of the study, Sanam Motlaghzadeh, a doctoral researcher at INAR funded by the Nessling Foundation, explains that these models not only simulate weather patterns but also calculate various parameters, including the Earth’s energy emissions and reflections under different weather conditions. By analyzing these simulations, researchers aimed to determine how variations in weather, such as cloud cover and storms, impact satellite movements, affecting their operational capabilities and ability to fulfill their intended duties.
The findings of the study have significant implications for improving satellite tracking and control, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of satellite operations. Understanding how weather influences satellites can also improve the accuracy of satellite-based measurements used in climate studies. This addresses a crucial challenge in satellite data reliability, specifically determining the precise orbits of satellites, which can be impacted by weather events. Satellites are essential for monitoring vegetation, tracking water resources, and observing glacier evolution using various measurement techniques like image capture and height and gravity field measurements, critical for studying climate change and its effects.
A deeper understanding of satellite movements can also benefit climate monitoring and disaster management efforts. Advanced weather models can refine satellite-based measurements, enabling more effective study and mitigation of environmental issues. By comprehending how satellites interact with Earth’s atmosphere, valuable insights into our planet and its changes over time can be gained. This contributes to more accurate satellite-based monitoring of terrestrial water resources, thereby supporting food security and other essential aspects of environmental sustainability.
The research conducted by INAR highlights the importance of leveraging modern weather models to study satellite movements and their interactions with Earth’s atmosphere. By analyzing how weather influences satellite behavior, researchers can enhance satellite tracking, control, and operational efficiency, ultimately improving the accuracy of satellite-based measurements used in climate studies. The findings of the study offer valuable insights into how satellite movements are affected by weather events like tropical cyclones, reflecting the complex relationship between atmospheric conditions and satellite operations. This research contributes to a better understanding of Earth’s systems and changes over time, benefiting various areas such as climate monitoring, disaster management, and environmental sustainability.