BOULDER, CO and SINGAPORE, Oct 11, 2019 - (ACN Newswire) - via NEWMEDIAWIRE - Orbital Micro Systems (OMS), a leader in
advanced instrumentation for small satellite missions and analysis-ready earth data intelligence, has released images of
Typhoon Hagibis from its IOD-1 GEMS satellite.
Typhoon Hagibis imagery at 118 GHz, revealing important data about internal storm structure.
OMS captured this observation of the storm on October 8 at 12:36 a.m. UTC, after it had intensified from a 60-mph
tropical storm to a 150-mph super typhoon in 18 hours. The data shows the beginning of an eyewall replacement cycle, a
process that occurs with particularly strong storms. During this scan, a core of warmer air - depicted as darker red
colors on the right side of the storm - is being drawn into the center of the storm. This warmer air represents a
temporary weakening of the storm as a prelude to the development of a new eyewall and further strengthening.
"The GEMS 118 GHz, 8 channel microwave radiometer delivered exceptional spatial resolution and sensitivity in providing
imagery and sounding data from Typhoon Hagibis, competitive with multi-billion-dollar government programs performing
similar measurements," said Michael Hurowitz, chief technology officer for OMS. "These images validate the capability of
OMS' remote sensing technology and demonstrate the highest spatial resolution of any passive microwave temperature
sounder in space on an operational mission."
The raw data downlinked from the satellite was processed at OMS's International Centre for Earth Data (ICED) located in
Edinburgh, Scotland.
"Observed data from this satellite can be combined with information from government-owned systems to improve the
accuracy of storm forecasts," said Hurowitz. "We are working with providers and partners to provide enhanced weather
information that improves safety margins for people and businesses risking severe weather events."
For more information about Orbital Micro Systems and the International Center for Earth Data (ICED), please visit https://www.orbitalmicro.com/gems.