First NOAA-19 images acquired in Russia

26 February 2009, 3:44pm

ScanEx RDC started to receive NOAA-19 meteo data in test mode to its own small-aperture station “Alice-SC”. NOAA-19 meteo satellite (indexed as NOAA-N Prime prior to launch) was put into orbit on February 6 from the Vandenberg air-force base (California) launch pad on Delta-2 carrier vehicle.

The satellite was successfully inserted into the operational sun-synchronous orbit of 866x858 km of altitude and inclination of 98.7 degrees. Optical scanners and VHF sensors data will be used for weather forecasts, as well as for monitoring of changes in climate. Besides, the satellite can receive and relay distress signals from water and land surfaces at long ranges through SARSAT system.

After launching NOAA-16 satellite onboard equipment tests were initiated transmitting test images in HRPT format at 1698 MHz. Three out of four channels of AVHRR radiometer are activated now, which has been developed to measure cloud cover, water surface temperatures and characteristics of ice, snow and vegetation cover.

Currently, there are 7 operational meteo-satellites in low-earth sun-synchronous orbits: NOAA-15, -16, -17 and -18 (USA), METOP-1 (Eumetsat), FY-1D and FY-3A (China). After completion of NOAA-19 satellite qualification testing, it is supposed to replace the now running NOAA-18 satellite in post meridian sun-synchronous orbit.

ScanEx Center specialists are glad to inform the Alice-SC operators about the possibility to acquire HRPT format test data from NOAA-19.

ScanEx R&D Center

Geo: International