T/G Layout 1

asic Operation

Coverage

Major Missions

rbit

Altitude

Location

Velocity

irect Readout

Data

Image Timeliness

Reception antenna

RF Signal

Processed Data

Rate

Schedule

Signal Availability

U.S. METEOROLOGICAL SATELLITE SYSTEMS

SATELLITE COMPARISON

B

O

D

Geostationary

Geostationary Operational

Environmental Satellite, (GOES)

Two satellite system covers area

from North to South America, from

Pacific to Atlantic locations

Hemisphere/Quadrants

1. Earth Imaging & Data Collection


2. Space Environment Monitoring


3. Data Collection


4. WEFAX Transmissions

VISSR Visible Infrared Spin Scan

Radiometer

VAS Atmospheric Sounder

SEM Space Environment Monitor

DCS Data Collection System

35,790 km (22,240 miles)

Clarke Belt* over Equator

GOES East, 75° West

GOES West, 135° West

6,800 mph (24 hour period)

WEFAX

Weather Facsimile Transmission

8 km resolution, visible

4 km resolution, infrared

Near Real Time

Dish (4 feet +)

1691 + MHz (to down converter)

240 lines/minute - 4 lines/second

WEFAX guide

Scheduled per 24 hours

Polar Orbiter

Television Infrared Observation Satellite,

(TIROS)

Maintains two satellites in Polar orbit at

all times: N to S (morning satellite)

S to N (afternoon satellite)

1,700 mile wide swath per pass

1. AVHRR Advanced Very High
   Resolution Radiometer SAR


2. TOVS TIROS Operational Vertical
   Sounder


3. DCS Data Collection System


4. SEM Space Environment Monitor


5. Search & Rescue


6. ERBE Earth Radiation Budget
   Experiment


7. SBUV Solar Backscatter Ultra Violet
   Radiometer

833 km (518 miles) AM orbit, southbound

870 km (541 miles) PM orbit, nort h b o u n d

9–11°, N to S, S to N,

Sun-synchronous

17,000 mph (101 minute period)

APT

Automatic Picture Transmission

4 km resolution

HRPT

High Resolution Picture Transmission

1.1 km resolution

Real Time Transmission

O m n i d i rectional or quadrifilar helix antenna

137–138 MHz

120 lines/minute - 2 lines/second APT

by prediction

two satellites cover entire Earth at least

four times daily

*See Glossary chart courtesy of John Tillery