Integrating the OpenSky Network into GNSS-R Climate Monitoring Research

Global Navigation Satellite System Reflectometry (GNSS-R) provides a unique means of inferring geophysical conditions of the Earth’s surface without the need for costly, and often infeasible, in-situ climate monitoring systems. As part of NASA’s Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS) mission, and in conjunction with Air New Zealand, we are taking the novel approach of mounting a GNSS-R receiver on a commercial aircraft, which shall allow for an unprecedented collection of climate data over and around the islands of New Zealand. Such data include inundation and coastal dynamics, and soil moisture content and variability. We report back to the community how the OpenSky Network data support our climate monitoring research. We discuss how we use the historical database state-vectors to simulate and visualise the predicted geographical coverage of the airborne GNSS-R receiver. We also discuss how the live API can help monitor our payload in-flight, our investigations into the OpenSky ADS-B coverage over New Zealand, and our plans to expand the coverage.