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WEATHER
SATELLITES
(Thanks
to Douglas Deans of the British Remote Imaging Group for developing
these weekly updates)
***NOTE: January 24, 2005: HearSat TLE
distribution suspended due to Space Track regulations
WEATHER SATELLITES
================
APT, DIGITAL and GEOSTATIONARY WEEKLY STATUS.
==========================================
Author : Douglas S Deans.
Sections 1, 3 and 4 have updates.
SECTION 1: POLAR APT REPORT -- 28th February 2005
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Satellite Frequency (MHz) Status Image Quality
NOAA 12 137.500 on good
NOAA 14 137.620 off
NOAA 15 137.500 on good
NOAA 17 137.620 on good
Sich 1M 137.400 ? see note 4.
CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT
Update to Sich 1M note 4.
NOAA 6 added to note 2.
THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS
None expected.
NOTES.
1. NOAA 9 was permanently deactivated some years ago and is
tumbling
freely. Unfortunately it has a sporadic carrier on 137.500 (varies
quickly according to orientation) and can cause interference to
NOAA 12
and NOAA 15.
2. Tiros-N and NOAA 6 are putting a carrier out on 137.500 and
will
interfere with NOAA 12 and 15 when their footprints overlap.
3. NOAA 16's APT transmission system failed a few months after
launch.
4. Sich 1M was launched on 24th December 2004 at 11.20 UTC.
However there
was an anomaly with the rocket's final stage resulting in the satellite
having a highly elliptical and unstable orbit (approx. 280 - 640
km
altitude). The first APT signal was heard about 08.10 UTC Saturday
29th
January. Clearly there are problems with the image, but nevertheless
it
is good to see some unexpected activity. As before it is likely
it will
only transmit in range of Russian/Ukrainian receiving stations.
The orbit is currently decaying so lets enjoy it while we can !
Update : Not been heard now for many weeks.
5. Elements are available from :-
http://www.space-track.org
LAUNCHES.
NOAA N launch.....Launch no earlier than mid-May 2005
NOAA N' launch.....TBA.
Douglas Deans.
Dunblane, Scotland.
SECTION 2: POLAR DIGITAL REPORT -- 28th February 2005
=============================================
CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
None.
THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
None expected.
Satellite Frequency Mode Remarks
(MHz)
NOAA 12 1698.0 HRPT Good signal.
NOAA 14 1707.0 HRPT No data (see note 4)
NOAA 15 1702.5 HRPT* Backup channel, weaker signal
NOAA 16 1698.0 HRPT* Good signal (see note 6)
NOAA 17 1707.0 HRPT* See note 5.
Feng Yun 1C 1700.4 CHRPT No data (see note 7)
Feng Yun 1D 1700.4 CHRPT Good signal.
NOTES.
1. If you have a good LNA and analogue decoder (Timestep for
example)
all satellites with "Good signal" or better can already
be received using
a 1.5M helical beam (RIG Journal 64) or a small dish (60 to 80 cm)
with
helical feed.
2. * These satellites have channel 3A/B which allows the composition
of
almost true-colour images of daylight passes using R3G2B1
colour scheme. For more info on colouring see RIG Journal 69.
3. ~ 10 Channel imager, use colour scheme R1G9B7 or R1G2B7 for
daylight passes to get near true colour images.
4. It is believed that during a test to switch off and then
back on the
NOAA 14 AVHRR scan mirror motor that the motor stalled.
NOAA have confirmed that there are currently no plans to try and
restart the stalled motor. There is no imagery available.
5. Problems have developed with STX-3 (1707 MHZ). Power has
dropped from
approx. 8W to about 2.4W resulting on a greatly reduced signal strength.
6. 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.
7. Although all channels are being transmitted on Feng Yun 1C,
there is no
image data ie the channels are effectively empty.
Arne van Belle, WERKGROEP KUNSTMANEN
Co-ordinator Radio Observers (www.kunstmanen.nl)
Douglas Deans.....with thanks to Lawrence Harris for his regular
updates and
notes.
SECTION 3: CONTINENTAL GEOSTATIONARY WORLD
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WEATHER SATELLITE REPORT -- 28th February 2005
=========================================
CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT
MTSAT-1R successfully launched.
THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS
None expected.
Europe & Africa
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Satellite : Meteosat 7 (0°)
Data : HRI (digital) - 1694.5 MHz
Wefax (analogue) - 1691 & 1694.5 MHz
Operational : Present --- end 2005 (Note 1).
Satellite : Meteosat 8 (3° W)
Data : HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational : From February 2004 (Note 2).
Satellite operational overlap from February 2004 ---- end 2005.
Satellite : Meteosat 6 (10°E) (Note 4)
Data : HRI (digital) - 1691 MHz (Occasional wefax for ranging)
Operational : Standby for Meteosat 7 and Europe RSS.
North America
----------------
East.
Satellite : GOES 12 (75.1° W) (note 8.)
Data : GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
Wefax (analogue)/LRIT (digital) time shared -1691 MHz
Operational : Present .......
West.
Satellite : GOES 10 (135° W)
Data : GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
Wefax (analogue) - 1691 MHz
Operational : Present ---- Sometime in 2004
Satellite : GOES 11 (in storage)
Data : GVAR (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational : Sometime during 2004
Satellite operational overlap ---- to be confirmed.
Asia (Russian Operated Satellite)
--------------------------------------
Satellite : GOMS / Electro 2
Data : Not yet specified (HRIT/LRIT likely)
Operational : To be launched late 2005.
Asia (European Operated Satellite)
----------------------------------------
Satellite : Meteosat 5 (63°E) (Note 3)
Data : HRI (digital) - 1691 MHz
Wefax (analogue) -1691 MHz (from time to time)
Operational : Present....end of 2005
Asia (Indian Operated Satellite)
-----------------------------------
Satellite : Metsat
Data : None available.
Operational : Present....
Satellite : Insat 3A (Note 5.)
Data : VHRR (digital) 2599 MHz
Operational : Present ............
Asia & Oceania (Japanese Operated Satellites)
-----------------------------------------------------
Satellite : GMS-5 (140° E) (Note 6)
Data : Wefax Relay only - 1691 MHz (120 kHz deviation)
Operational : Present ---- late 2004
Satellite : GOES 9 (204.2°W)
Data : GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
Operational : Present ....... late 2004
Satellite : MTSAT-1R
Data : HiRID (digital) and Wefax(analogue)/LRIT(digital)
shared.
Operational : Currently being manoeuvred before commissioning.
Satellite operational overlap ---- not yet applicable.
Asia & Oceania (Chinese Operated Satellites)
----------------------------------------------------
Satellite : Feng Yun 2B (Storage position)
Data : SVISSR (digital) - 1687.5 MHz
Operational : Present ......
Satellite : Feng Yun 2C (105°E)
Data : SVISSR (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational : Expected late January 2005.
Satellite operational overlap ---- not yet applicable.
NOTES.
1. If necessary the satellite may operate beyond this date.
2. HRIT & LRIT data will not be disseminated through the
satellite but will
be provided via Hotbird satellite in DVB mode. See the Eumetcast
status
report for more information.
3. Meteosat 5 now operates with only one channel.
4. Meteosat 6 is the standby satellite for Meteosat 7. Whilst
in standby is
being used to provide a 10 minute rapid scan service of Europe on
HRI.
5. Insat 3A is a combined data and meteorological satellite.
6. GMS-5 ceased VISSR transmissions on 22nd May 2003. Wefax
is now
derived from GOES-9 (155° E) GVAR and processed to a 140°
aspect
through GMS-5. For further information see :-
http://www.jma.go.jp/JMA_HP/jma/indexe.html
7. For those interested in EMWIN data, the following sats/frequencies
apply.
GOES 7 (175 W) 1690.725 MHz.
GOES 10 (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
8. Currently Wefax alignment problems make animation difficult.
It is hoped
this problem will be resolved soon.
9. GOES West to start WEFAX/LRIT time share 18 November 2004.
LRIT testing currently on GOES West at 15:00-15:10, 15:42-15:50,
and
18:00-18:10z
Full LRIT (no WEFAX) on GOES East scheduled for 01 March 2005 and
Full LRIT on GOES West scheduled for 01 October 2005.
For further information go to :-
http://noaasis.noaa.gov/LRIT/
10. MSG-1 became operational on 29th January 2004, and is now
known as
Meteosat 8.
For updates/additions or errors (in this section) reply to
Dave Cawley Information@Time-step.com
SECTION 4: EUMETCAST REPORT -- 28th February 2005
============================================
Service Status Hotbird Satellite (13° E)
EARS On Transponder 117: 10853.44 MHz
RSS On Transponder 117: 10853.44 MHz
Meteosat 8 On Transponder 117: 10853.44 MHz
DWDSAT On Transponder 117: 10853.44 MHz
(requires subscription)
CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
Meteosat 6 note updated.
THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
Meteosat 5.
Due to the eclipse season between 05/02/05 and 26/03/05 slots 39,
40, 41 and 42 may not be available.
Meteosat 6 RSS.
Due to the eclipse season between 13/02/05 and 31/03/05 slots 46,
47, 48 and
1 may not be available.
There will be an interruption to the rapid scanning service between
28/02/05
at 18:00 and 01/03/05 at 18:00, for ranging and full disc imaging.
Meteosat 7.
Due to the eclipse season between 22/02/05 and 09/04/05 slots 48,
1, 2, and
3 may not be available.
Due to sun co-linearity between 24/02/05 and 04/03/05 there may
be no
dissemination between 12:09 and 12:23.
Meteosat 8.
Due to sun co-linearity between 23/02/05 and 12/03/05,
repeat cycles between 12:09 and 12:39 may be interrupted or not
disseminated.
Due to the eclipse season between 23/02/05 and 12/04/05,
users may observe degraded image quality around the midnight repeat
cycles.
Foreign Satellite Data
Availability during eclipse season:
GMS (GOES9) between 09/02/05 and 29/04/05: no image at 15:00
GOES-W (GOES10) between 12/02/05 and 28/04/05: no image at 09:00
GOES-E (GOES12) between 14/02/05 and 29/04/05: no image at 06:00
My thanks to David Taylor for his help with reports.
Any reports for this section should be sent to :-
Douglas Deans douglas@dsdeans.freeserve.co.uk
NOTES.
1. For further information on the Eumetcast service see :-
David Taylor's web site
http://www.satsignal.net => Weather Satellites, ATOVS or
MSG Data Manager.
or Eumetsat's web site
www.eumetsat.int
GENERAL
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To download element sets for all satellites visit the following
site :
http://www.space-track.org
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