GPS radio occultation (RO) is an emerging atmospheric remote sensing technology and has been successful in addressing a wide range of scientific issues associated with the atmosphere, geodesy, space physics and the oceans. The planned new satellite launches in the next few years from South America, Europe and Asia offer exciting opportunities for geodesists to tackle issues such as climate change, weather forecasting, and the detection/monitoring of cyclones, drought and other environmental problems.

A number of comparative studies using meteorological measurements over the Australian area are first presented. Both RO results from CHAMP and COSMIC are evaluated using both NWP models and radiosonde records. The RO atmospheric profiles are investigated using both modelled data and radiosonde observations across different geographic areas (e.g. equatorial, mid-latitude & polar regions) and different interface zones of meteorological significance (inland, coast & ocean). The spatial-temporal error characteristics of the RO data for a number of different scenarios are investigated. Major findings that could potentially offer significant contribution to data assimilation, weather forecasting, climate, cyclone and drought are presented with detailed meteorological analyses.

This contribution finally introduces our recent initiatives of national/international collaboration which is funded through the Australian Research Council, and the Australia-US and the Australia-China International Science Linkage Programs. The research consortium consists of researchers from RMIT, UNSW, the Bureau of Meteorology and leading scientists from the USA, Taiwan and China. The main aims and objectives, road map, major research tasks and expected outcomes of the research will be outlined.