Six FORMOSAT-7/COSMIC-2 satellites were successfully launched to low Earth orbit on June 25, 2019. The FS7C2 team has worked intensively to evaluate instrument performance and optimize processing algorithm since launch. The provisional data is released on December 10, 2019 on the website https://tacc.cwb.gov.tw/v2/download.html. Tri-GNSS Radio occultation System (TGRS) data and neutral atmospheric products from October 1, 2019 and forward are included in the release. Starting from December 23, 2019, users may obtain the past-two-week data every other Monday.

NSPO is responsible for operating six FORMOSAT-7/COSMIC-2 satellites and TACC (Taiwan Analysis Center for COSMIC) located in Central Weather Bureau is responsible to provide information of temperature, humidity, and electron density profiles. These profiles were derived from the measurement of TGRS onboard FORMOSAT-7/COSMIC-2 satellites.

Since the first radio occultation data has been measured on July 16, 2019, Central Weather Bureau (CWB) has begun the evaluation intensively. Considering the data collected from mid- and low- latitude, CWB has optimized the numerical weather prediction system so that the data can be applied more efficiently to forcast front, tropical depression, typhoon, and space weather.

The users’ feedback will be taken in account to enhance the data quality. The neutral atmosphere initial operational capability is currently expected in 2020. Upon reaching this milestone, data and products will be included in daily operation system. The information will bring benefit to severe weather forecast, disaster mitigation, and communication assessment.