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Observing Systems Capability Analysis and Review Tool
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Satellite Programme: NOAA 5th generation / Polar Operational Environmental Satellites
Programme details
Programme description
Series of five operational meteorological satellites in sunsynchronous orbit, implementing the POES programme starting with NOAA-15.
Fifth generation of the NOAA series.
Main developments: replacement of TOVS (TIROS Operational Vertical Sounder = HIRS/2 + MSU + SSU) by ATOVS (Advanced TOVS = HIRS/3 + AMSU-A + AMSU-B).
Programme managed end-to-end by NOAA.
The platforms are actively stabilised over 3 axes.
The design life time of the satellites is 3 years.
The replacement policy is based on launching satellites in sequence, roughly 6 months before the expected end-of-life of a satellite.
The satellites are planned to cover the orbit around 13:30, but spare satellites can be in the morning orbit.
See detailed description at
http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/pod-guide/ncdc/docs/intro.htm
.
Data circulation
CDA (Command & Data Acquisition station) to acquire stored data as GAC (Global Area Coverage consisting of data from low-bit-rate instruments and reduced-resolution AVHRR images); and LAC (Local Area Coverage by selected AVHRR full resolution image frames). Main locations: Fairbanks (Alaska) and Wallops Island (Virginia).
HRPT (High Resolution Picture Transmission) for real-time broadcasting of the whole information in digital form.
APT (Automatic Picture Transmission) for real-time broadcasting of two AVHRR image channels at reduced resolution in analogue form.
DSB (Direct Sounder Broadcast) for real-time broadcasting of low-bit-rate data (HIRS, SBUV, SEM and DCS) formatted as TIP (TIROS Information Processor) in digital form.
DCS (Data Collection Service) to localise DCP (Data Collection Platform) and relay their messages through the HRPT and DSB links.
S&RSAT (Search & Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking System) to relay emergency signals to Local User Terminals (LUT).
Agencies
NOAA
,
NASA
Programme lifetime
1998 - 2025
Associated satellites and instruments
Note: red tag => no longer operational , green tag => operational , blue tag => planned
NOAA 5th generation / Polar Operational Environmental Satellites
NOAA-15
(1998-2025-09)
AMSU-A
AMSU-B
AVHRR/3
DCS/2
HIRS/3
S&RSAT
SEM/MEPED
SEM/TED
NOAA-16
(2000-2014)
AMSU-A
AMSU-B
AVHRR/3
DCS/2
HIRS/3
S&RSAT
SBUV/2
SEM/MEPED
SEM/TED
NOAA-17
(2002-2013)
AMSU-A
AMSU-B
AVHRR/3
DCS/2
HIRS/3
S&RSAT
SBUV/2
SEM/MEPED
SEM/TED
NOAA-18
(2005-2025-09)
AMSU-A
AVHRR/3
DCS/2
HIRS/4
MHS
S&RSAT
SBUV/2
SEM/MEPED
SEM/TED
NOAA-19
(2009-2025-09)
A-DCS
AMSU-A
AVHRR/3
HIRS/4
MHS
S&RSAT
SBUV/2
SEM/MEPED
SEM/TED