Retrieval of Atmospheric Motion Vector using INSAT-3D and INSAT-3DR Imager Data in Staggering Mode

Abstract

At present two advanced Indian geostationary meteorological satellites INSAT-3D (launched on 26 July 2013)
and INSAT-3DR (launched on 06 September 2016) with similar sensor characteristics are orbiting over Indian
Ocean region and are placed at 82o
E and 74o
E respectively. Together these two satellites are providing images
at every 15-minutes interval. Although atmospheric motion vectors (AMVs) are deriving operationally using
data of different channels from individual satellite at 30-minutes interval, however in this study, first time an
attempt has been to use 15-minute images from both the satellites in staggering mode for the retrieval of AMVs.
This study is undertaken for doing a feasibility study, for exploiting the availability of higher temporal sampling
of data from INSAT-3D and INSAT-3DR channels for the retrieval AMVs in staggering mode. It is found that the
improvement in accuracy is noticed when AMVs are retrieved by combining data from both satellites when
compared with individual INSAT-3D or INSAT-3DR AMVs. This study demonstrates the possibility of use of two
satellites data together in staggering mode for the retrieval of good quality AMVs. This algorithm is made
operational at Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad for larger use-ability after successful testing and
evaluation.