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G4ROA > WXSAT 23.02.09 09:46l 480 Lines 15648 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
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Subj: WX Sat Status report 23/2
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To : WXSAT@WW
WEATHER SATELLITES
================
APT, DIGITAL and GEOSTATIONARY WEEKLY STATUS.
==========================================
Author : Douglas S Deans. dsdeans@...
Sections 1, 2 and 4 have updates.
SECTION 1: POLAR APT/LRPT REPORT -- 23rd February 2009
=============================================
Satellite Frequency (MHz) Status Image Quality
NOAA 15 137.500 (APT) on good
NOAA 17 137.620 (APT) on good
NOAA 18 137.100 (APT) on good
NOAA 19 137.9125(APT) on see Note 6
Metop-A 137.100 (LRPT) off see Note 3
CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
None.
THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
Possible switch-on of NOAA 19 AVHRR IR channel for APT.
NOTES.
1. Three of the older NOAA weather satellites which have been
decommissioned and are tumbling freely are know to sporadically put out
a carrier on 137.500 MHz. The satellites are TIROS-N, NOAA 6 and NOAA 9
When the relevant footprints overlap this will cause interference to
NOAA 15 when active on this frequency.
Latest report below.
22/07/08 - There is some recent evidence that NOAA 9 is once again
transmitting a spurious carrier from time to time. (I am grateful to
John Cooper from Oxford for this report).
2. NOAA 16's APT transmission system failed a few months after launch.
3. Metop-A's A-side LRPT transmitter has failed. Currently the redundant
B-side transmitter is off until further notice (No further service
expected due to interference with HIRS instrument).
4. NOAA 14 was decommissioned on 23rd May 2007.
5. NOAA 12 was decommissioned on 10th August 2007.
6. For several weeks the APT will carry 2 visible images (channels 1 and
2). The infra-red system requires out-gassing before being switched
on and is the reason for the delay (usually about 2/3 weeks) in its
operation. My understanding is that the outgassing prevents
precipitation (and contamination) when the coolers are switched on.
Thereafter the APT format should follow the norm of Channel 2 (visible)
and channel 4 (IR) during daylight passes, switching automatically
to channels 3 (3A) and 4 during darkness.
7. Elements are available from :-
http://www.space-track.org and
http://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/
LAUNCHES.
None due.
SECTION 2: POLAR HRPT/AHRPT REPORT -- 23rd February 2009
===============================================
CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
NOAA 19 AVHRR IR channels now active.
THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
None expected.
Satellite Frequency Antenna Mode Image Quality
(MHz)
NOAA 15 1702.5 Omni HRPT Weak
NOAA 16 1702.5 LHCP HRPT Mixed ( note 3)
NOAA 17 1698.0 RHCP HRPT Good
NOAA 18 1707.0 RHCP HRPT Good
NOAA 19 1698.0 RHCP HRPT Good
Feng Yun 1D 1700.4 RHCP CHRPT Good
Feng Yun 3A see note 5
Metop-A 1701.3 RHCP AHRPT Good (note 4)
NOTES.
1. NOAA 14 was decommissioned on 23rd June 2007.
2. NOAA 12 was decommissioned on 10th August 2007.
3. On Friday 19th September 2003 NOAA 16 developed AVHRR synch. problems
similar to those on NOAA 14 (and previously NOAA 15).
Since then reports have been mixed. Some periods of good data, some
poor.
UPDATE: Scan motor performance has recently improved.
4. On 29 September 2008, EUMETSAT commenced a partial Metop-A AHRPT
Direct Readout service. Due to the operational constraints, the
activation of AHRPT is for a limited geographical region covering
the North Atlantic and European area (southbound passes only). This
service is being introduced for a trial period of up to 2 months,
following which the activation scenario will become operational. For
further details on this service see:
http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/Access_to_Data/Metop__amp__NOAA_Services/
SP_11\
17714487826?l=en
5. Feng Yun 3A was declared operational on 12th January 2009. My thanks to
Johnny Lin for drawing this to my attention.
I am also grateful to Dave Wright of Dartcom for confirming that
unfortunately (as usual) the Chinese have not strictly complied with the
CGMS AHRPT Global Standard so reception using a standard MetOp AHRPT
receiver is not possible.
LAUNCHES.
None due.
SECTION 3: CONTINENTAL GEOSTATIONARY WORLD
===========================================
WEATHER SATELLITE REPORT -- 23rd February 2009
=======================================
CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
None.
THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
None.
Europe & Africa
------------------
Satellite : Meteosat 8 (9.5°E)
Data : HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational : Yes, RSS and Standby for Meteosat 9.
Satellite : Meteosat 9 (0°) (note 7).
Data : HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational : Yes
North America
----------------
East.
Satellite : GOES 12 (75.0° W)
Data : GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
LRIT (digital) -1691 MHz
Operational : Yes
West.
Satellite : GOES 11 (135°W)
Data : GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
LRIT (digital) - 1691 MHz
Operational : Yes
South America
----------------
Satellite : GOES 10 (60°W)
GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
LRIT (digital) - 1691 MHz.
Asia (Russian Operated Satellite)
--------------------------------------
Satellite : GOMS N2 / ELECTRO-L
Data : HRIT/LRIT.
Operational : Launch date unknown.
Asia (European Operated Satellites)
----------------------------------------
Satellite : Meteosat 7 (57.5°E)
HRI (digital) - 1691 MHz
Wefax (analogue) occasionally for ranging purposes
only.
Operational : Yes.
Satellite : Meteosat 6 (67.5°E) (Note 2).
Asia (Indian Operated Satellite)
-----------------------------------
Satellite : Metsat
Data : None available.
Operational : Present....
Satellite : Insat 3A (Note 3.)
Data : VHRR (digital) 2599 MHz
Operational : Yes.
Asia & Oceania (Japanese Operated Satellites)
-----------------------------------------------------
Satellite : MTSAT-1R (140° E) (note 5.)
Data : HRIT (digital) and LRIT(digital) on 1691 MHz.
(Note 6.)
Operational : Yes.
Asia & Oceania (Chinese Operated Satellites)
----------------------------------------------------
Satellite : Feng Yun 2C (105°E)
Data : SVISSR (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational : Yes.
Satellite : Feng Yun 2D (86.5°E).
Data : SVISSR (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational : Yes. Parallel operation with 2C.
(My thanks to Johnny Lin for the update).
Satellite: Feng Yun 2E (123.3° E)
Data : SVISSR (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational : No. Commissioning.
NOTES.
1. Meteosat 7 stopped its 0° service at 09.00 UTC on 14th June 2006.
2. Meteosat-6 arrived on station at 67.5 degrees East, on the 27 April
2007.
After a short testing campaign, Meteosat-6 is now supporting the DCP
mission over the Indian Ocean during eclipse periods.
3. Insat 3A is a combined data and meteorological satellite.
4. For those interested in EMWIN data, the following sats/frequencies
apply.
GOES 7 (175 W) 1690.725 MHz.
GOES 11 (135 W) 1690.725 MHz
GOES 12 (74.5 W) 1690.725 MHz
For further info. there are many sources but the following is
particularly informative:-
http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov/emwin/user-intro.htm
5. This satellite is also known as HIMAWARI 6.
6. HiRID and WEFAX was discontinued on 12th March 2008. It was replaced
with HRIT/LRIT (after many months of dual dissemination).
7. Only LRIT (1691.0 MHz) is provided in direct readout.
Full HRIT and LRIT service from Eumetcast.
LAUNCHES.
None expected.
SECTION 4: EUMETCAST REPORT -- 23rd February 2009
=========================================
Service Status Eurobird 9 Satellite (9° E)
EARS On Transponder TP63: 11976.82 MHz
Meteosat 8 (RSS) On Transponder TP63: 11976.82 MHz
Meteosat 9 On Transponder TP63: 11976.82 MHz
DWDSAT On Transponder TP63: 11976.82 MHz
EPS(Metop-A) On Transponder TP63: 11976.82 MHz
CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
General Note updated.
Meteosat 8 RSS Note added.
Meteosat 9 Note added.
Metop-A Note updated.
THIS WEEK AND FUTURE POSSIBLE EVENTS.
General Note.
Due to essential EUMETCast maintenance, on 24/02/09 at 01:00 UTC, there is
a
high risk of interruption to all EUMETCast services.
A transfer of services at 9 degrees East Transponder 63 from EUROBIRD 9 to
EUROBIRD 9A will take place.
There may be a short interruption on EUMETCast lasting for several
minutes.
Most users will see a higher signal level and SNR after the transfer.
Due to sun interferences of the disseminating satellites users might
experience lower signal margin or outages on EUMETCast for a short period
(less than 15 min) every day :-
on Ku band Europe between 23/02/2009 and 14/03/2009
on C band Africa between 23/02/2009 and 06/04/2009
on C band Americas between 23/02/2009 and 12/04/2009
The exact times and durations of the signal degradation or outages depend
on
the reception location and the used satellite.
Please use following link to determine the time for your location:
http://www.satellite-calculations.com/SUNcalc/SUNcalc.htm
- enter as satellite Eurobird 9 (Ku band Europe), or Atlantic Bird 3 (C
band Africa), or NSS 806 (C band Americas)
- enter location, band, season and antenna size and press "Calculate"
A common period of signal degradation for all C-Band (Africa and Americas)
users is expected at around 11:33 UTC from 28/02/2009 to 08/03/2009.
Due to essential maintenance on 25/02/09 at 10:00 UTC there is a risk of
delays for all EUMETCast services.
The EUMETSAT Archive will be carrying out essential maintenance on
25/02/09
between 09:00 to 11:00 UTC. During this period orders will not be
processed
and catalogue updates are suspended.
Future Event.
We are pleased to announce the inclusion of new OSI-SAF products on
EUMETCast as of 03/03/09.
The Ocean and Sea Ice SAF 12.5 km ASCAT wind product is generated every 3
min with average file sizes of 300 kB. EUMETCast requirements:
On EUMETCast the files will appear on the channel "SAF-Europe"
(PID 500, multicast address 224.223.222.28).
The filenames start with "ascat" and end with "125_ovw.l2_bufr", e.g.
ascat_20090204_222101_metopa_11923_eps_o_125_ovw.l2_bufr
Full details are provided in the ASCAT Wind Product User Manual, see:
http://www.osi-saf.org
All users already registered for OSI-SAF products will automatically get
the
new products.
On 31 March 2009 EUMETSAT will introduce a registration requirement for
EUMETCast access to all level 2 satellite products generated by EUMETSAT
and
the Satellite Application Facilities (SAFs). After this date, only
registered users will continue to receive level 2 products through
EUMETCast. The registration requirement is being introduced to allow
EUMETSAT and its SAFs greater visibility of product usage.
New EUMETCast users will be able to select their choice of level 2 product
sets (Meteosat, Metop/NOAA, Ocean Sea Ice, Land Analysis
and Ozone & Atmospheric Chemistry) via the online registration form.
Existing EUMETCast user may request a continuation of access
to these products by sending an email to the User Helpdesk via
ops@....
The registration requirement comes into force on 31 March 2009 and
existing
users are kindly requested to indicate their product requirements before
this date to avoid any unnecessary loss of service.
Meteosat 8 RSS.
Due to sun co-linearity between 24/02/09 and 05/03/09 repeat cycles 11:15
and 11:30 UTC may be interrupted or not available.
Meteosat 9.
Due to sun co-linearity between 24/02/09 and 05/03/09 repeat cycles 12:00
and 12:15 UTC may be interrupted or not available.
FSD.
GOES11_135W eclipse from 09/02/09 to 28/04/09: 09:00 UTC and 10:00 UTC
files
may not be available.
GOES12_75W eclipse from 14/02/09 to 28/04/09: 05:00 UTC and 06:00 UTC
files
may not be available.
MTSAT-1R_140E eclipse from 15/02/09 to 25/04/09: 14:00 UTC and 15:00 UTC
files may not be available.
IODC.
Due to Meteosat-7 eclipse season from 12/02/09 to 31/03/09, slots 39 to 43
may not be available.
Due to sun co-linearity between 15/02/09 and 23/02/09 the 07:46 AIW and
07:58 AV formats may not be available.
Metop-A.
ASCAT monthly calibration. Data interruptions can be expected during the
following periods:
Wed 25/02/2009 18:17
Thu 26/02/2009 08:15
Fri 27/02/2009 19:16
24/02/2009 01:00 Due to essential EUMETCast maintenance there is a high
risk
of interruption to all EUMETCast services. A transfer of services at 9
degrees East Transponder 63 from EUROBIRD 9 to EUROBIRD 9A will take
place.
There may be a short interruption on EUMETCast lasting for several
minutes.
Most users will see a higher signal level and SNR after the transfer.
24/02/2009 IASI instrument update. New IASI L1 auxiliary file:
IASI_BRD_xx_M02_20090217060000Z_xxxxxxxxxxxxxxZ_20090216161614Z_IAST_000000
0012
corresponding to the IASI instrument update is available on the UMARF for
local IASI L1 processing on the 20/02/2009.
25/02/2009 A new 03M-SAF off-line product, total Sulphur Dioxide (SO2),
will
be available through the EUMETSAT and 03M-SAF Archives. In addition, to be
consistent with the other O3M-SAF trace gases products, the HDF5 version
of
the off-line SO2 and of the NRT and Off-Line total Ozone, total NO2 and
Tropospheric NO2 will be updated to the new Format Version 2/A on
25/02/2009. For further details see:
http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/Media/Features/709343
25/02/2009 10:00 Due to Eumetcast maintenance short transfer delays are
expected.
On 31 March 2009 EUMETSAT will introduce a registration requirement for
EUMETCast access to all level 2 satellite products generated by EUMETSAT
and
the Satellite Application Facilities (SAFs). After this date, only
registered users will continue to receive level 2 products through
EUMETCast. The registration requirement is being introduced to allow
EUMETSAT and its SAFs greater visibility of product usage.
New EUMETCast users will be able to select their choice of level 2 product
sets (Meteosat, Metop/NOAA, Ocean Sea Ice, Land Analysis and Ozone &
Atmospheric Chemistry) via the online registration form. Existing
EUMETCast
user may request a continuation of access to these products by sending an
email to the User Helpdesk via
ops@....
The registration requirement comes into force on 31 March 2009 and
existing
users are kindly requested to indicate their product requirements before
this date to avoid any unnecessary loss of service."
The following EPS GDS products are available on Eumetcast.
EPS-2 PID 510 Metop AMSA operational
EPS-3 PID 510 Metop ASCAT operational
EPS-4 PID 510 Metop ATOVS operational
EPS-5 PID 510 Metop GOME operational
EPS-6 PID 510 Metop GRAS operational
EPS-7 PID 510 Metop HIRS operational
EPS-8 PID 510 Metop MHS operational
EPS-10 PID 510 Metop AVHRR operational
EPS-11 PID 510 Metop IASI operational
EPS-13 PID 510 NOAA AMSA operational
EPS-14 PID 510 NOAA ATOVS operational
EPS-15 PID 510 NOAA GAC operational
EPS-16 PID 510 NOAA HIRS operational
EPS-17 PID 510 NOAA MHS operational
EPS-18 PID 510 EPS Service News operational
NOTES.
1. Reports for all sections should be sent to :-
Douglas Deans dsdeans@...
2. For further information on the Eumetcast service see :-
David Taylor's web site
http://www.satsignal.eu => Weather Satellites, Using EUMETCast
or Satellite Tools, MSG Data
Manager.
or the Eumetsat web site
www.eumetsat.int
GENERAL
=======
For further weather satellite related information join GEO, Group for
Earth
Observation, and receive the informative quarterly magazine. See :-
http://www.geo-web.org.uk/
To download element sets for all satellites visit the following sites :
http://www.space-track.org and
http://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/
=============================
73's - Adrian, G4ROA @ GB7COV
Message timed: 07:17 on 23 Feb 2009
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NGR SP 342 765
GPS 52deg 23.15min N
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E-Mail: G4ROA@AOL.com
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