Advancements in GNSS Radio Occultation Techniques: Opportunities and Challenges in CubeSat Platforms

Abstract

The GNSS radio occultation (RO) technique has become a crucial method for precise atmospheric probing, utilizing signals from global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) to derive key atmospheric parameters. Traditionally, RO measurements have been conducted using larger satellites. CubeSats, also known as nanosatellites, offer cost-effective platforms for space missions, including RO instruments. However, the use of Cubesats for RO presents some drawbacks that can jeopardize the mission, due the restricted volume, such as limited power constraints, antennas with smaller design, limitation for orbit determination and attitude control payloads, reduced orbital lifetime, challenges to get high quality constellation management, data downlink, data quality, calibration and validation. In addition, the Cubesat platform requires reduced weight and power from instruments which in turn restricts the techniques that can be employed. This paper presents a literature review about key technical, operational, data quality issues as long as existing RO methodologies and integration of RO techniques for CubeSat platforms, highlighting their potential benefits and challenges.