Microwave CubeSat fleet simulation for hydrometric tracking in severe weather

Extreme weather observations with temporal resolution of ~15-30 minutes and spatial resolution of ~15-30 km are required to improve forecasting of mesoscale severe weather events. Due to recent advances in microwave receiver and filter technology, the fleet concept of ~30-40 CubeSat nanosatellites has been identified as an alternative but cost effective means to meet the requirements. OSSEs of CubeSat fleet microwave observations are currently required to demonstrate the basic features of the constellation and provide simulated data for the engineering development of the constellation concept in many aspects. To this end, a NWP-based multi-module simulator of the CubeSat fleet concept was developed at University of Colorado at Boulder. In this paper, microwave imaging CubeSat fleet observations at 30 minute temporal resolution were demonstrated. The observed meteorological features of Hurricane Sandy in the selected CubeSat channels were compared. At the end, using simulated CubeSat fleet observations in the development of hydrometric tracking concept, which has potential of efficiently assimilating high temporal resolution observations into NWP model for improved weather forecasting, was discussed.