Thermosphere-Ionosphere Observing System Simulation Experiments

Abstract

Multi-instrument in-situ sampling from satellite constellations provides critical data to better understand and manage the impact of space weather on the thermosphere-ionosphere system. In the Swarm DISC (data, innovation, and science cluster) project SWITCH (Space Weather in the Ionosphere-Thermosphere Cal/val Hub), we conduct observing system simulation experiments (OSSEs) to evaluate a thermosphere-ionosphere data assimilation framework. Here we present experiments using synthetic electron and neutral measurements from Swarm and future geospace dynamics constellation (GDC) missions. In this presentation, we demonstrate the capabilities of the assimilation framework and quantify the improvement that the assimilation of multi-point Swarm and GDC-like in-situ observations brings to the thermosphere-ionosphere modelling.