SToRM SAR

Observations at 1km horizontal resolution are needed to resolve the fine thermodynamic phase structure present in many severe storms, and support the weather process research needed for future convection-resolving weather models. SToRM SAR is an approach developed by BAE Systems and Colorado State University for a space-based 3D multi-static precipitation radar that employs agile micro-satellites operating synchronously in a distributed configuration to provide 1km horizontal spatial resolution observations of a precipitation field using a new interferometric method. The focus of the proposed work is on next-generation space-based precipitation field observations at finer spatial scales. The horizontal resolution of the large GPM radar is 5 km-too coarse to resolve these phenomena. A real-aperture radar-scaled to pro-vide 1 km resolution at Ku band would have an aperture dimension of 15-30 meters–a funda-mentally unaffordable approach. SToRM SAR (Satellite Tomography of Rain and Motion using Synthetic Aperture Ra-dar) directly leverages the rapid developments in small satellite technology and launch capabil-ity to provide significant new capability at a mission cost more than 10x lower than other space-borne precipitation radars- with the ability to penetrate and characterize severe mid-latitude storms at the 1-km scale from space for the first time. The approach is compatible with both X-band and Ku-band operation, enabling full profiling through intense storms using transmitter power levels consistent with miniature solid state RF amplifiers. The approach employs range-encoded pulse sequences and strategically positioned receivers to enable a sim-ultaneous interferometric measure of the vertical and cross-track structure of the precipitation field. The along-track spatial structure is observed using a scene illumination approach simi-lar that used for the spotlight-mode employed in traditional 2D SAR. Along-track structure is recovered via a tomographic re-construction method. Radar observation locations are cued by passive IR and microwave mapping micro-satellites orbiting ahead, which indicate areas of immanent or ongoing severe weather. This cueing allows the duty-cycle of the radar to be low without sacrificing observations of the key storm regions of interest, thereby keeping the ac-commodation requirements within micro-satellite resource limits. The SToRM SAR method does not rely on the Doppler Effect for observing storm structure, but uses Doppler to sense field motions- as do ground-based Doppler-weather radars. Under a 3-year IIP-IDD, the overall mission and instrumentation risks will be reduced though detailed observing concept and instrument payload design, supported by a realistic sim-ulations of the complex 3D precipitation field observations and ground-based field demonstra-tions of the observation method. This work builds upon a successful NASA ESTO-Funded Fea-sibility Study that developed the mathematical framework. The envisioned hardware imple-mentation is TRL5. However, the overall readiness of this relatively complex observation method is currently low (TRL2-3), and improving this readiness to TRL5 through analysis, simulation, testing, and field demonstration would be a primary focus of the risk reduction work. The method is, in part, derived from methods applied by BAE Systems in RF signals in-telligence and navigation. The precipitation field modeling is based on substantial prior work by Colorado State University in reflectivity field simulation. Field tests of the interferometry method will be conducted at BAE Systems RF range and near Colorado State University's NSF-Funded CHILL multi-band (C-band-X-band)/dual polarization precipitation radar research and development facility near Ft Collins, CO which will enable the observation of storm structure using the new method (at X-Band) to be compared with the observations of a powerful ground-based precipitation radar.

Increase scientific understanding of natural phenomena using remote sensing

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