New Delhi, March 23: The Meteorological Measurement System (MMS) is an advanced airborne device that accurately measures the immediate atmospheric conditions or weather at high resolution. Primarily installed on aircraft, it collects critical information about the environment surrounding the aircraft.
MMS is extremely beneficial for meteorologists, researchers, and weather forecasting models. NASA provides extensive information about this system. MMS is an in-situ airborne instrument primarily used for scientific research and weather studies. It measures various atmospheric parameters such as atmospheric pressure, temperature, wind direction and speed, true airspeed, turbulence, potential temperature, Reynolds number, and turbulence dissipation rate. These measurements are typically taken at a rate of 20 Hertz (20 times per second), yielding highly accurate and high-resolution data.
The MMS is specially calibrated to obtain data on weather effects. But how does it work? MMS operates through sensors installed on different parts of the aircraft. Key sensors include the nose boom or pitot-static probe, which measures airspeed and pressure, and temperature probes for measuring temperature. An inertial navigation system and GPS are set for tracking the aircraft’s speed, position, and direction.
Additionally, it includes sensors that measure three-dimensional wind vectors. As the aircraft flies, these sensors continuously collect data. The computer system integrated into the MMS processes this data and applies corrections, such as temperature effects due to aircraft speed or changes in pressure. The resulting data helps in understanding subtle weather changes like turbulence and air currents. This information is valuable for improving weather forecasting models, conducting climate studies, and ensuring aircraft safety.
In India, ISRO and other scientific institutions utilize such systems to gather in-depth atmospheric information. This not only aids in understanding the weather but also enhances the accuracy of future forecasts.
ISRO has established a network of 1,158 automatic weather stations across India. These stations autonomously record weather information such as temperature, wind speed, pressure, and rainfall. Many of these instruments have been developed in-house by ISRO.
This data is used to prepare accurate weather forecasts and verify existing predictions. Furthermore, ISRO’s National Atmospheric Research Laboratory employs MST radar to monitor winds 24/7. This helps in gaining deeper insights into atmospheric events like clouds and storms. All these efforts contribute to meteorological research and improved forecasting.
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