Direct Broadcast
HRPT sites | Operational NOAA Polar Satellites | Research Satellites | Future Satellites | EARSFuture Satellites
The METOP system will be Europe’s first polar-orbiting satellite dedicated to operational meteorology. It is a series of three satellites to be launched sequentially over 14 years starting in October 2006. METOP is equipped with the LRPT and HRPT direct broadcast facilities. In cooperation with EUMETSAT and CNES, the Satellite Applications Facility (SAF) on Numerical Weather Prediction http://www.metoffice.com/research/interproj/nwpsaf/ is currently preparing the processing of the HRPT data by the extension of the AAPP ATOVS package to include the pre-processing of the Infrared Atmospheric Interferometer Sounder (IASI) data and of the scientific supports (i.e., fast forward models, cloud detection, bias tuning, correlated errors). AAPP will not be able to process the other METOP instruments, i.e., GRAS, GOME, ASCAT, etc.
The NPP (NPOESS Preparatory Project) system (http://jointmission.gsfc.nasa.gov/) will provide NASA with a continuation of global change observations after EOS. NPP should be launched in late 2009. NASA is developing the NPP In-situ Ground System (NISGS) which will provide a prototype testbed system to acquire NPP direct broadcast data and to generate instrument–specific Level0, Level1 and higher level example data products. This prototype will be available for distribution to the commercial sector and broad user community. For more details: http://directreadout.gsfc.nasa.gov/index.cfm?section=missions&page=nppMission
First launch of the NPOESS system “National Polar-orbiting Operational Environment Satellite System” is scheduled for 2013. NPOESS will broadcast real-time High Rate Data (HRD) and Low Rate Data (LRD). During the next few years, the Integrated Program Office will be working to develop and test prototype terminals for the direct broadcasts and will distribute the Interface Data Processing Segment software.
HRPT mode is also planned for the Chinese FY-3 and the Russian Meteor-3M N2 systems The FY-3 system with microwave and IR sounding missions includes a series of 7 satellites to be operated 2005-2020. The two Meteor-3M N2 satellites are planned to provide imaging in visible, infrared and microwave channels as well as atmospheric sounding in the IR and microwave range; the first launch is scheduled in 2005.
NASA organise regular workshops on topics relevant to direct readout for EOS and NPP. For the latest information, and for presentations given at recent meetings, see http://dbmeeting.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/.