GOES Users’ ConferenceThe Role of Geostationary Satellites in WMO’s Global

Observing System

Dr. Donald E. Hinsman

Senior Scientific Officer

WMO Satellite Activities

Purposes of WMO

• To facilitate world-wide cooperation in the establishment of networks of stations for the making of meteorological observations as well as hydrological and other geophysical observations related to meteorology, and to promote the establishment and maintenance of centres charged with provision of meteorological and related services;

• To promote the establishment and maintenance of systems for the rapid exchange of meteorological and related information;

• To promote standardization of meteorological and related observations and to ensure the uniform publication of observations and statistics;

• To further the application of meteorology to aviation, shipping, water problems, agriculture and other human activities;

• To promote activities in operational hydrology and to further close cooperation between Meteorological and Hydrological Services;

• To encourage research and training in meteorology and, as appropriate, in related fields, and to assist in coordinating international aspects of such research and training.

WMO Satellite Activities Main Long-term objectives

(i) Participate in the development of the Global Observing System (GOS) as a composite system, particularly for upper-air observing based on an optimal mix of observing components, including ground-based remote-sensing, mobile observing platforms, satellite and Global Position System-Meteorology (GPS-MET). GOS support to meeting GCOS requirements for climate monitoring and prediction will also be a priority goal;

(ii) Assist Members in the transition of the low-resolution imagery satellite services from analogue

to digital under complex operational conditions;

(iii) Promote satellite-related high quality continuing education to keep the knowledge and skill of Members operational and scientific staff up-to-date with the latest technological innovations, and to provide the competence and skills needed in related fields, such as communication with users;

(iv) Provide information, advice and guidance to Members on satellite-related technological developments as well as on changes in relevant existing meteorological and hydrological operation systems to enable them to develop plans for objective and wise investment actions.

Global Observing System Requirements

Space-based component

Geostationary satellites – at least five, appropriately spaced

Missions:

– Imaging

– Data collection

– Direct broadcast

Global Observing System Requirements (continued)

Space - based component

Polar-orbiting satellites – at least two, AM and PMMissions:

ImagingSoundingData collectionDirect broadcast

Global Observing System Requirements (continued)

Imagery mission(Hor res, obs cycle)

Nowcasting requirement: 1 – 5 km, .05 - .5 hoursGlobal NWP 1 – 50 km, .5 – 6 hours

Sounding mission

Nowcasting requirement: 5 – 200 km, .25 – 1 hourGlobal NWP 50 – 500 km, 1 – 12 hours

Global System of Geostationary Satellites

Global System of Polar Orbiting Satellites

WWW’s Global Observing System

Ground Segment of the Global Observing

System - Four categories of satellite-data ground receiving stations

• Polar-orbiting satellites

APT (Automatic Picture Transmission)

HRPT (High Resolution Picture Transmission)

• Geostationary satellites

WEFAX (Weather Facsimile)

HR (High Resolution)

- World Weather Watch implementation goals:

“Each WMO Member should be equipped with at least one polar-orbiting satellite data receiver and one geostationary satellite data receiver”

SATELLITES AND THE WWW

UN Resolution No. 1721 for “international co-operation in the peaceful uses of outer space” approved 20 December 1961

•Advent of satellites offered substantial opportunities for improvements in meteorological services

•Called on WMO to lead a study and report on recommendations of the UN Resolution

Report delivered in June 1962

•“First report on the advancement of atmospheric sciences and their application in the light of developments in outer space”

•Birth of World Weather Watch

On April 1, 1960 the first U.S. weather satellite was launched from Cape Canaveral, FL

WMO’s World Weather Watch

Global System of Geostationary Satellites

Geostationary satellites areas

•Future plans•Ground receiving stations•LRIT and LRPT transition•Frequency allocation protection•WMO web page information•International relations

Sector Future additionalsatellites

Operator Planned launch (Planned location)Other remarks

GOES-M USA/NOAA 7/2001

GOES-N USA/NOAA 10/2002

EAST-PACIFIC(180°W-108°W)

GOES-O USA/NOAA 4/2004

GOES-P USA/NOAA 2007WEST-ATLANTIC(108°W-36°W) GOES-Q USA/NOAA 2010

135° Wand

75° W

MSG-1 EUMETSAT 6/2002

MSG-2 EUMETSAT 2003

EAST-ATLANTIC(36°W-36°E)

MSG-3 EUMETSAT 2008

0°

Future Geostationary Satellites Coordinated within CGMS

(as of November 2000)

Sector Future additionalsatellites

Operator Planned launch (Planned location)Other remarks

GOMS-N2 Russian Fed. 2001 76° E

INSAT III-A India 2000

INSAT III-D India 2003

FY-2C China 2003

FY-2D China 2006

INDIAN OCEAN(36°E-108°E)

FY-2E China 2009

105° E

MTSAT-1R Japan 03/2003WEST-PACIFIC(108°E- 180°E)

MTSAT-2 Japan 2004

Multi-functionalTransport Satellite

140°E

Future Geostationary Satellites Coordinated within CGMS

(as of November 2000)

Growth of Member Satellite Receivers

0

300

600

900

1200

1500

RA I RA II RA III RA IV RA V RA VI Total

Regions

Num

ber

of R

ecei

vers

1992

1995

2000

Number of receivers in each WMO Region

2000 RA APTs HRPTs WEFAXs HRs TotalI 71 17 87 24 199II 140 47 134 38 359III 33 12 47 14 106IV 38 22 48 37 145V 19 10 28 16 73VI 161 39 288 54 542

Grand Total 1424

Change 2000 - 1995 RA APTs HRPTs WEFAXs HRs TotalI 19 5 30 3 57II 44 13 35 14 106III 7 7 20 2 36IV 12 5 13 5 35V 7 2 2 7 18VI 47 9 38 5 99

Grand Total 351

Percent WMO Members meeting WWW Implementation Goals

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

I II III IV V VI

Regions

Polar receivers

Geo receivers

Transition Schedule for Satellites in Geostationary Orbit for LRIT

Satellite Launch(M/Y)

Service Start Stop

GOES - 8 04/1994 WEFAX 11/94

GOES - 9 05/1995 WEFAX 01/96

GOES - 10 04/1997 WEFAX 06/97

GOES - 11 05/2000 WEFAX 09/00

GOES - M 08/2002 WEFAX 10/02

GOES - N 2002 LRIT

USA

GOES - O 2005 LRIT

Elektro-1 11/94 WEFAX

Elektro-2 2001 WEFAX

RussianFederation

Elektro-3 2002 LRIT 2002

FY-2A 06/1997 WEFAXChina

FY-2B 06/2000 WEFAX

Satellite Launch(M/Y)

Service Start Stop

Meteosat 5 03/1991 WEFAX 03/91

Meteosat 6 11/1993 WEFAX 11/93

Meteosat 7 09/1997 WEFAX 07/97 12/03

MSG 1 06/2002 LRIT 03/03 2008

MSG 2 2003 LRIT 2004 2009

EUMETSAT

MSG 3 2007 LRIT 2008 2013

INSAT I-d 06/1990 None

INSAT II-a 07/1992 None

INSAT II-b 07/1993 None

India

INSAT II-e 04/1999 None

GMS-5 03/1995 WEFAX 06/95 07/04

MTSAT-1R 01/2003 WEFAXLRIT

07/0307/03

03/0507/08

Japan

MTSAT-2 07/2004 LRIT 07/08 07/13

Distribution of WEFAX Receivers

Distribution of High Resolution Geostationary Receivers

WMO Satellite Activities Web Sitehttp://www.wmo.ch/hinsman/satsun.html

•Goals, objectives and publications•Satellite operator status reports  •Global Observing System (GOS) status reports•Other satellite related organizations•Online database information•APT/WEFAX to LRPT/LRIT transition•Online satellite imagery sites•Working documents for Upcoming Meetings•Education and Training Materials

Satellites and International Relations

“Satellites are the best Ambassadors”