Satellite Observation of Middle and Upper Atmospheric Dynamics

Dear Colleagues,

The middle and upper atmosphere is a crucial transition region between the lower atmosphere and space, which profoundly influences vertical energy, momentum transfer, and global circulation through its dynamic processes. A deep understanding of wave activities (gravity waves, tides, planetary waves), turbulent mixing, and fundamental circulation characteristics in this region is essential for improving atmospheric coupling mechanisms and enhancing modeling and forecasting capabilities for the near-space environment. While traditional ground-based detection methods are limited by lower atmospheric weather variability and sparse distribution of observation stations, satellite remote sensing has become a core tool for revealing middle and upper atmospheric dynamics due to its advantages of long-term continuous observation and global coverage.

This Special Issue focuses on the latest research advances in utilizing advanced satellite remote sensing techniques—including ultraviolet/visible spectroscopy, infrared radiation, microwave radiation, and occultation—to detect atmospheric wind fields, temperature fields, composition, and wave phenomena in the middle and upper atmosphere. It explores topics such as retrieval methods for high-spatiotemporal-resolution and high-accuracy remote sensing data, multi-source data fusion, the analysis of dynamic processes, and the development and application of novel detection payloads (e.g., airglow imagers, Doppler wind instruments).

Aiming to promote the deepening application of satellite remote sensing in middle and upper atmospheric dynamics research, this Special Issue serves the fields of space weather, climate modeling, and near-space development and utilization. We sincerely invite scholars in relevant disciplines to contribute research findings to foster collective progress in the field. Articles may address, but are not limited, to the following topics:

• Wind/temperature field retrieval
• Wave activities observed by satellite
• Atmospheric composition detection methods and variation mechanisms
• Advanced detection payload design
• Novel application of multi-source data assimilation
• Satellite observation of turbulence and mixing processes in middle and upper atmosphere
• Remote sensing data assimilation for near-space modeling
• Long-term change in middle and upper atmosphere

Prof. Dr. Shengyang Gu
Prof. Dr. Haiyang Gao
Prof. Dr. Zhaoai Yan
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Remote Sensing is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.