Radio Frequency Sensor: Very High Frequency Radio Frequency Lightning Detection in Geostationary Orbit

Lay, Erin H.; Romero, Lupe; Peterson, Michael; Nag, Amitabh; Behnke, Sonja; Pailoor, Nikhil

doi:10.1029/2023RS007931

Radio Frequency Sensor: Very High Frequency Radio Frequency Lightning Detection in Geostationary Orbit

Journal Article · Tue Jun 04 00:00:00 EDT 2024 · Radio Science

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/2023RS007931· OSTI ID:2370567

^[1]; Romero, Lupe ^[1]; ^[2]; ^[1]; ^[1]; Pailoor, Nikhil ^[1]

Los Alamos National Laboratory Los Alamos NM USA
Georgia Tech Research Institute Atlanta GA USA

Abstract

The Radio Frequency Sensor (RFS), a new radio frequency lightning detector, was launched into geosynchronous orbit in December 2021, and first collected data in January 2022. RFS is a specialized software‐defined radio receiver that detects, records, and reports impulsive broadband radio‐frequency (RF) signatures from lightning in the very high frequency (VHF; 30–300 MHz) range. Its vantage point from a Western hemisphere geosynchronous orbit provides unique opportunities to study evolution of RF lightning signatures over the durations of thunderstorms over the Americas and Pacific Ocean. Its overlapping view with the Geostationary Lightning Mappers (GOES‐16 & 17) enables additional comparisons between the sources of optical emissions and associated VHF emissions that were not possible with previous sensors. We find that RFS preferentially detects bright VHF signals called transionospheric pulse pairs (trans‐ionospheric pulse pairs (TIPPs)). It is estimated that more than 85% of the RFS‐detected lightning events are TIPPs. This paper presents initial results from the first year and a half of on‐orbit operation.

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Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

OSTI ID:: 2370567

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 2377233
OSTI ID: 2440678

Journal Information:: Radio Science, Journal Name: Radio Science Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 59; ISSN 0048-6604

Publisher:: American Geophysical Union (AGU)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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