[M-SD35] Future Missions of Satellite Earth Observation

[MSD35-01] Lightning Observation from Geostationary Orbit

*Tomoo Ushio¹, Mitsuteru Sato², Yousuke Sato², Yuuki Wada¹, Syugo Hayashi³, Arata Okuyama⁴, Kotaro Bessho⁴, Satoru Yoshida³ (1.The University of Osaka, 2.Hokkaido University, 3.Meteorological Research Institute, 4.Japan Meteorological Agency)

Keywords:Lightning, Geostationary orbit

The geostationary lightning mapper is an optical transient detector at IR wavelength that can measure total lightning (in-cloud, cloud-to-cloud and cloud-to-ground) activities continuously with 10km resolution. The lightning sensors on geostationary satellites are included in the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)'s Vision for WIGOS in 2040 as a sensor that should consist a global observation system. The US lightning observation satellite from geostationary orbit has been launched and began operating from 2017. The new-generation geostationary meteorological satellite in China has started operation, and the next-generation geostationary meteorological satellite with lightning mapper in Europe was also launched last year, expecting that lightning location data will become indispensable as an Essential Climate Variable (ECV). In response to this, researchers from the Japan Meteorological Agency and universities, including the authors, have been investigating the current status of data utilization of these missions and have been designing a new lightning mapper to distinguish between lightning and cloud discharges based on the scientific results of ISS/GLIMS project. In addition, we participated in a conference on GLM held in the United States last year, focusing on collecting information not only on data utilization but also on the current status and future of lightning observation projects from geostationary orbit. For example, the last satellite of the current GOES-R series called GOES19 was launched in 2024 and will operate until 2030. After that, lightning observation will be handed over to the new GeoXO program which was approved for implementation by the Dept of Commerce in 2022.

In this presentation, we will introduce an overview of the research presented at the 2024 GLM Science Conference in Huntsville, Alabama in September 2024, and report on the current status and data utilization of lightning observation projects from geostationary orbit, including Europe and China.