SATELLITES – CGMS – Website

CGMS Contingency Planning

BitAdmin — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 00:00:00 +0000

CGMS Contingency Planning

The CGMS Contingency Plan provides guidance and processes for identifying, mitigating, and coping with capability loss against the CGMS Baseline. This plan provides guidance to CGMS Members to ensure continuity of their missions, discusses steps Members can take to coordinate continuity among themselves, and steps CGMS can take to monitor and respond to losses.

The CGMS Contingency Plan defines the key terms as follows:

Contingency: Within the context of the CGMS, a contingency arises when CGMS is no longer in a position to provide certain satellite-based observations, measurements, and services that are part of the CGMS Baseline or when the group anticipates that such a situation is likely to occur in the near future.
Contingency Planning: The development of strategy, analysis, planning, development of capabilities, and processes necessary to assure continuity of established baseline observations, measurements, and services in the event of unforeseen circumstances.
Mitigation: Proactive attempt by a CGMS Member or CGMS to ensure continuity of observations, measurements, and services in support of the CGMS Baseline; an effort to anticipate and thereby reduce or eliminate the probability of a risk materialising or risk avoidance.
Coping: Steps taken by a CGMS Member or by CGMS to reduce the impact of a materialised risk or capability loss against the CGMS Baseline. These will generally be referred to as “capability losses” or simply “losses.”

Overall, The CGMS level contingency planning follows a traditional risk management framework in order to avoid degradation or loss of service, and to minimise the impacts of any potential losses. The process can be seen in the figure below.

Data Collection Systems (DCS)

BitAdmin — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Data Collection Systems (DCS)

Data Collection Services (DCS) are services, offered by meteorological satellite operators, that enable the relay of environmental data from Data Collection Platforms (DCPs) to end users, through the use of a certified DCP transmitter installed on the DCP. Several meteorological satellite operators, namely the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), coordinate their DCS activities through the Coordination Group for Meteorological Satellites (CGMS). This international coordination ensures global DCS coverage, apart from the Polar Regions.

The first CGMS Data Collection Services Handbook was released in 2020.

Links to CGMS member DCS pages:

EUMETSAT DCS https://www.eumetsat.int/meteosat-data-collection-services

JMA DCS https://www.jma.go.jp/jma/jma-eng/satellite/nmhs/dcs89.html

NOAA DCS https://dcs1.noaa.gov/

Direct Broadcast

BitAdmin — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Direct Broadcast

The polar orbiting meteorological satellites, operated by the CGMS agencies, offer users worldwide the opportunity to receive in real time the observations collected by the satellite instruments. To acquire the direct broadcast data, the user needs a local reception system, capable of tracking the satellite when in visibility of the station and processing the acquired data to data products for use by weather forecasters and Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) applications.

Manufacturers and operators of direct broadcast reception stations for the polar orbiting satellites critically depend upon support from the satellite operating CGMS agencies. This includes the coordination and the provision of technical specification of the direct broadcast, orbit information, software packages for product processing, auxiliary operational data for instrument processing as well as operational coordination.

CGMS is coordinating this support, primarily through the Direct Broadcast Services: LRPT/AHRPT Global Specification and CGMS Agency Best Practices in support to Local and Regional Processing of LEO Direct Broadcast data.

The latter document covers 10 Best Practices in support to Local and Regional Processing of LEO Direct Broadcast data, summarised as follows:

Planning and system implementation:

BP.01 Globl specification for direct broadcast
BP.02 Timely provision of space-to-ground interface control documents
BP.09 Satellite direct broadcast and reception station performance requirements
BP.04 Povision and maintenance of product processing software

Acquisition and product processing operations:

BP.03 Provision of current orbit information
BP.05 Provision of auxiliary data for instrument product processing
BP.06 Recommendations of channel selection for hyperspectral instruments

Satellite instrument status:

BP.07 Spacecraft and instrument operational status
BP.08 Operational announcements
BP.10 Operational routine mointoring of the direct broadcast

The following operators of LEO satellites have reported their implementation of the Best Practices in CGMS Working Papers: NOAA (CGMS-48-NOAA-WP-03), CMA (CGMS-48-CMA-WP-04) and EUMETSAT (CGMS-48-EUM-WP-03) .

The following summarises key information extracted from the above three CGMS Working Papers.

Space-to-ground interface control document

The Space-to-Ground ICD defines the radio frequency and encoding characteristics of the satellite downlink, which is essential for the design of the direct broadcast reception station antenna, feed, demodulator and bit synchroniser.

The Space-to-Ground ICD furthermore defines the layout and content of the DB data stream, which is essential for defining the interface to the processing S/W packages processing the DB data stream to level 0.

	Links to Space-to-Ground Interface Control Documents
FY-3 series	Space-to-Ground Interface Control Documents of FY3D Meteorological Satellite Space-to-Ground Interface Control Documents of FY3E Meteorological Satellite FY3F and FY3H ICDs will be released soon by CMA
Metop	Metop Direct Readout AHRPT Technical Description
Metop SG	EPS-SG (Metop-SG) Direct Data Broadcast (DDB) Radio Frequency (RF) Space to Ground Interface Control Document (ICD)
JPSS	JPSS Satellite High-Rate Data (HRD) to Direct Broadcast Stations (DBS) Radio Frequency (RF) Interface Control Document (ICD)

Product processing software providers

Product processing software packages for processing DB data to level-0 and level-1 are a prerequisite for any local processing and in particular for the DBNet regional services. Product processing packages for further processing DB data to level-2 are highly valuable.

	Links to product processing software providers
FY-3 series	The Direct Broadcasting software for FY-3D, FY-3E, FY-3H is provided through the website: http://satellite.nsmc.org.cn/PortalSite/StaticContent/SoftDownLoad.aspx?TypeID=6. The software supports the L0 to L1 pre-processing for MERSI MWTS, MWHS and MWRI. The Direct Broadcast users can access the software following registration with CMA. FY-3H software to be released soon.
Metop	Numerical Weather Prediction Satellite Application Facility (NWP SAF, http://nwp-saf.eumetsat.int): AAPP software for HIRS, AVHRR, AMSU, MHS and IASI Ocean and Sea Ice SAF (OSI SAF, http://osi-saf.eumetsat.int): Scatterometer Winds processing software for ASCAT Radio Occultation Meteorology SAF (ROM SAF, http://rom-saf.eumetsat.int) Radio Occultation Processing Packages (ROPP) for GRAS Nowcasting SAF (NWC SAF, http://nwc-saf.eumetsat.int): Cloud Mask and physical, optical and geometrical cloud properties for AVHRR
Metop-SG	To be released soon by EUMETSAT
SNPP and JPSS series	CSPP CSPP software processes S-NPP and JPSS data from VIIRS, CrIS, and ATMS. Instructions for downloading CSPP software are on the CSPP Home Page located at: http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/cspp/ . CSPP includes the RT-STPS Pre-Processor, developed and maintained by NASA DRL. Information about RT-STPS is available at: https://directreadout.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/?id=dspContent&cid=69. The NASA DRL Simulcast Quality Monitoring Tool has been used to monitor the S-NPP and NOAA-20 HRD performance. More information is available at: https://directreadout.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/?id=dspContent&cid=70.

Provision of current orbit information

A direct broadcast reception station requires satellite orbit information for the following three functions:

Prediction and planning of future satellite passes;
Antenna pointing during the acquisition of satellite data;
Processing and geolocation of the sensor data.

For a direct broadcast reception station to have the best possible orbit information available at any time, without needing information about when manoeuvres are executed, the reception station will typically be configured to retrieve the orbit information from the satellite operator every few hours.

	Links to provision of current orbit information
FY-3 series	The TLE for FY-3D, FY-3E, FY-3F are provided through the website: • http://file.nsmc.org.cn/ONELINE/FY3D/43010.dat • http://file.nsmc.org.cn/ONELINE/FY3E/49009.dat • http://file.nsmc.org.cn/ONELINE/FY3F/57490.dat FY-3H TLE to be released soon.
Metop and Metop-SG	https://service.eumetsat.int/tle/
SNPP and NOAA-20	Orbital data including TLEs, predicted post-maneuver TLEs and definitive ephemeris files is provided on the Field Terminal Support (FTS) web portal. The FTS landing page is located at: https://www.noaasis.noaa.gov/POLAR/JPSS/field_terminal_support.html. Spacecraft ephemeris and attitude information is included in the HRD broadcast from S-NPP and JPSS-1, and it is used for real-time geolocation processing in CSPP.
All	https://www.space-track.org http://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/

Auxiliary data for instrument product processing

Some product processing algorithms require the specifications of instruments and their performance, including instrument spectral response functions (SRFs), noise and FOV size. Some instruments (e.g. IASI) require auxiliary configuration data for the processing. Other instruments may require regular updates of instrument calibration data. See also WMO Guidelines on Best Practices for Achieving User Readiness for New Meteorological Satellites, WMO-No. 1187

	Links to auxiliary data for instrument product processing
FY-3 series	http://satellite.nsmc.org.cn/PortalSite/StaticContent/SoftDownLoad.aspx?TypeID=6.
Metop	Numerical Weather Prediction Satellite Application Facility (NWP SAF, http://nwp-saf.eumetsat.int): AAPP software for HIRS, AVHRR, AMSU, MHS and IASI Ocean and Sea Ice SAF (OSI SAF, http://osi-saf.eumetsat.int): Scatterometer Winds processing software for ASCAT Radio Occultation Meteorology SAF (ROM SAF, http://rom-saf.eumetsat.int) Radio Occultation Processing Packages (ROPP) for GRAS Nowcasting SAF (NWC SAF, http://nwc-saf.eumetsat.int): Cloud Mask and physical, optical and geometrical cloud properties for AVHRR
Metop-SG	To be provided soon by EUMETSAT
JPSS series	Provided on the Field Terminal Support (FTS) web portal. The FTS landing page is located at: https://www.noaasis.noaa.gov/POLAR/JPSS/field_terminal_support.html.

Frequency Coordination

BitAdmin — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Frequency Coordination

In order to fulfil its objectives to harmonise meteorological satellite mission parameters on a global basis, CGMS coordinates the active and passive sensors frequencies to be used to ensure continuity in the measurements and organises the use of the frequency bands available for Data Collection Systems (DCS) and for the downlink of the mission data to the users.

With this, CGMS complements the work of other international satellite coordinating mechanisms, here in particular in the Space Frequency Coordination Group (SFCG) where detailed coordination of the individual frequencies is performed in close liaison with CGMS.

To connect with WMO on frequency related matters, and with this to the user base of meteorological satellite data, CGMS also works in close cooperation with the WMO Expert Team on Radio Frequency Coordination (ET-RFC), benefiting from its detailed assessment of World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) agenda items of common interest/concern. WMO formulates those items in a position paper and CGMS carries relevant issues over into its High Level Priority Plan (HLPP).

Together with the participation of its member agencies in the work of the radiocommunication sector of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU-R) as well as in regional and national regulatory bodies, CGMS, through its member agencies, is directly or indirectly contributing at all levels in the field of radio frequency regulation and coordination, with the aim to ensuring the long-term availability and usability of the indispensable radio frequency resources.

Satellite Products

BitAdmin — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Satellite Products

Advanced scientific algorithms are applied to satellite observations to make satellite products for use by the global operational and scientific user communities. In particular satellite products are a key input to Earth System Modelling at centres around the world. CGMS strives to ensure global consistency of product science and algorithms, through a continuous dialogue with remote sensing scientists and the user community. The topics being addressed include product algorithms, quality control, validation and product formats.

Satellite instrument calibration is crucial for achieving global products of high quality, and CGMS therefore has also established a global framework for inter-satellite cross-calibration (GSICS).

Data Access

BitAdmin — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Data Access

The new satellite systems generate increasing amounts of advanced measurements, but it remains a major challenge to ensure that improved data and products are actually available, and can be utilized by more users in all regions around the world, both global centres with advanced capabilities as well as users in developing countries.

CGMS strives to address the whole value chain from observations to utilization, and addresses the following areas:

Support the user-provider dialogue on regional/continental scales through regional coordination groups maintaining requirements for dissemination of satellite data and products through various dissemination systems;
Contribute to the preparations of users for new generation of meteorological satellites;
Explore options for optimal data global exchange of advanced data from new generation of satellites for use by Earth System Modelling centres
Support the global coordination of the operational Digital Video Broadcast (DVB) satellite services
Increase access to, and use of, data from R&D and pre-operational missions, including space weather missions
Utilize existing dissemination infrastructure for meteorological information in helping to mitigate disasters
Increase operational access to data and products in support to the ocean user community
Strengthen the use of WMO Information Systems (WIS) infrastructure for satellite data provision and discovery
Provide coordinated CGMS inputs on data representation and metadata for WIS and WIGOS

CGMS Baseline

BitAdmin — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 00:00:00 +0000

CGMS Baseline

The CGMS Baseline enumerates the observations, measurements, and services that form the CGMS contribution to the space-based Global Observing System and is responding to end-user requirements expressed in WMO’s Rolling Review of Requirements (RRR). The CGMS Baseline will strive to support the WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WIGOS) 2040 vision and serves as CGMS’s response to the WIGOS 2040 Vision to document what missions are currently being, or planned on being flown.

The CGMS Baseline included missions that are comprised of the following key principles:

Commitment: The CGMS Members are providing, or have firm plans to provide, the observations, measurements, and services enumerated in the Baseline.
Sustained: The observations, measurements, and services are provided on a sustained basis.
Available: The observations, measurements, and services are available on a free and unrestricted basis.
Operational: The data and products can be utilised in operational applications.

The observations and measurements that constitute the CGMS Baseline are enumerated in a table that describes the sensor type, the orbit, the observation/measurement (or geophysical parameter), and any specific orbital attributes. The table was designed to facilitate the linkage with the WMO OSCAR/Space database, future risk assessments, and gap analyses.

The CGMS Baseline discusses the importance of services and steps CGMS will take to ensure the quality and continuity of data and products.

Satellites & Data Access

BitAdmin — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 00:00:00 +0000

The global network of satellites, whose technical and operational coordination is the objective of CGMS, constitutes a major portion of the space-based component of the Global Observing System (GOS). The GOS provides observations on the physical state of the atmosphere and ocean surface from both space-based and land-based instruments. This data is used for the preparation of weather analyses, forecasts, advisories and warnings and for monitoring of climate change. The GOS also provides observations for other aspects of environmental monitoring, including air quality and space weather.

The CGMS Baseline constitutes the commitments and plans of CGMS Members to provide the observations, measurements, and services in support to GOS. The coordinated services include data access, direct broadcast, data collection and validated geophysical products.

CGMS Members will take steps to ensure continuity of the CGMS Baseline by following the guidelines outlined in the CGMS Contingency Plan.

All satellites currently contributing to the CGMS Baseline are listed on the satellite status page maintained by the WMO Space Programme office on behalf of CGMS. The tables on this page indicate the current status of on-orbit satellites along with the plans for future ones including launch date, orbital characteristics, payload and operational status if relevant. Hyperlinks enable navigation to more detailed information from the online OSCAR (Observing System Capabilities Analysis and Review) tool which contains detailed information on instruments, satellites, or high-level gap analysis. Information is available for both operational and R&D satellites in geostationary, highly elliptical, sun-synchronous and drifting orbits which contribute to the GOS. OSCAR and the Satellite Status Page are regularly updated based on information provided by the satellite operators. Please be aware that status and plans may evolve with time. Neither WMO nor CGMS is liable for the consequences of inaccuracies that could be found in these tables.

Data Collection Systems (DCS)

Direct Broadcast

Frequency Coordination

Satellite Products

Data Access

CGMS Baseline

CGMS Contingency Planning