thefutureofthenextgenerationsatellitefleetandthe.docVIP

The Future of the Next Generation Satellite Fleet and the McMurdo Ground Station A Report to the Office of Polar Programs National Science Foundation United States Antarctic Program Edited by Matthew A. Lazzara and Charles R. Stearns Antarctic Meteorological Research Center Space Science and Engineering Center University of Wisconsin-Madison May 31, 2004 Funded by NSF-OPP Grant #OPP-0412586 University of Wisconsin-Madison, Space Science and Engineering Center Publication # Photo by Pat Smith, NSF-OPP Table of Contents Executive Summary 3 Introduction and Background 4 The McMurdo Ground Station (MGS) 4 McMurdo Station Meteorological Satellite Direct Readout History 8 Communications 8 Present Status 8 Future Requirements 9 Short Term 9 Mid Term 9 Long Term 10 Science and Operational Requirements 11 Scope and Effects 11 Multi-discipline Benefits 11 Impacts 12 Implementation 12 Short Term 13 Mid Term 13 Long Term 14 Limiting Factors 15 Communications 16 Closed Network 16 McMurdo TDRSS Relay System (MTRS) 16 Infrastructure 16 Conclusions and Recommendations 18 Acknowledgements 19 References 20 Appendices 22 Web sites 22 Acronyms 23 NPOESS Sensors and Capabilities 25 Workshop Attendees 28  Executive Summary The purpose of this report is to provide information, options, and recommendations for deciding how to collect the transmitted data from the next generation of polar orbiting satellites for use by the United States Antarctic Program (USAP) in Antarctica. X-band direct broadcast satellites are replacing the L-band direct broadcast satellites currently used by USAP as soon as 2006. The new satellites offer increased capabilities and open the doors to new science and possibilities for observing and learning about the atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere system. However, there is a need for lead-time to prepare to acquire and train for the applications of the new streams of data. The new satellite systems require X-band r