Meteorological satellites in polar and geostationary orbit are presented in this paper along with examples and limitations. NOAA and NASA satellite programs, present and future in the meteorological field, are discussed along with spectral interval, ground resolution and operational applications. The USAF/AWS Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) is scheduled for operation at the Air Force Eastern Test Range (AFETR) in the Spring of 1974. The DMSP acquisition system is described with respect to sensor type and satellite orbital parameters. Two satellites are in orbit at any given time providing real time, visual and infrared, imagery every six hours. Imagery examples depicting meteorological, geophysical, oceanographic, and earth resources applications are presented. Some added benefits with regard to the energy crisis are a possibility with the DMSP system or similar sensor use

Ashman, Jerome P.

Brandli, Henry W.

Oliver, John W.

English

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

The Space Congress® Proceedings 1974 (11th) Vol.1 Technology Today for Tomorrow Apr 1st, 8:00 AM Expansion Of Meteorological Satellite Potential Jerome P. Ashman Detachment 11, 6 Weather Wing, Air Weather Service, USAF, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida Henry W. Brandli Detachment 11, 6 Weather Wing, Air Weather Service, USAF, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida John W. Oliver Detachment 11, 6 Weather Wing, Air Weather Service, USAF, Patrick Air Force Base, Florida Follow this and additional works at: https://commons.erau.edu/space-congress-proceedings Scholarly Commons Citation Ashman, Jerome P.; Brandli, Henry W.; and Oliver, John W., "Expansion Of Meteorological Satellite Potential" (1974). The Space Congress® Proceedings. 2. https://commons.erau.edu/space-congress-proceedings/proceedings-1974-11th-v1/session-5/2 This Event is brought to you for free and open access by the Conferences at Scholarly Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in The Space Congress® Proceedings by an authorized administrator of Scholarly Commons. For more information, please contact commons@erau.edu. EXPANSION OF METEOROLOGICAL SATELLITE POTENTIALMajor Jerome P. Ashman Detachment 11, 6 Weather Wing Air Weather Service, USAF Patrick Air Force Base, FloridaMajor Henry W. Brandli Detachment 11, 6 Weather Wing Air Weather Service, USAF Patrick Air Force Base, FloridaCaptain John W. Oliver Detachment 11, 6 Weather Wing Air Weather Service, USAF Patrick Air Force Base, FloridaABSTRACTMeteorological satellites in polar and geosta- tionary orbit are presented in this paper along with examples and limitations. NOAA and NASA satellite programs, present and future in the me- teorological field, are discussed along with spectral interval, ground resolution and opera- tional applications. The USAF/AWS Defense Mete- orological Satellite Program (DMSP) is scheduled for operation at the Air Force Eastern Test Range (AFETR) in the Spring of 1974. The DMSP acquisi- tion system is described with respect to sensor type and satellite orbital parameters. Two satellites are in orbit at any given time provid- ing real time, visual and infrared, imagery every six hours. Imagery examples depicting meteoro- logical, geophysical, oceanographic, and earth resources applications are presented. Some added benefits with regard to the energy crisis are a possibility with the DMSP system or similar sensor use.DISCUSSIONToday, we are going to talk about the meteorolog- ical satellites with specific emphasis on the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program. The first meteorological satellite was launched on 1 April 1960, April Fool's Day and, in light of the outstanding success of the program, the venture has proven to be anything but a foolish under tak- ing.The National Satellite System consists of NASA and NOAA vehicles. Most meteorological satellites launched have either been polar orbiting or geo- synchronous orbiting systems. Polar orbits have periods from 100 to 120 minutes with altitudes from 400 to 1,000 nautical miles. Geosynchronous satellites, of course, are at 19,300 nautical miles altitude and remain in one position over the earth's surface at zero degrees latitude.Figure 1 - Figure 1 shows some of the national system satellites that have been launched. In discussing geostationary satellites (ATS) or polar orbiters (ITOS), the advantages and disad- vantages should be mentioned.Geostationary satellites, of course, can view the same spot on the earth continuously in video- infrared scanning and enables near instantaneous tracking of probable storms and, of course, ex- cellent monitoring of severe weather. At greatdistances from the equator, however, the resolu- tion of the satellite product decreases consider- ably. If the Indian Ocean areas or Africa must be viewed continuously, other geostationary satel- lites have to be launched. The newest geostation- ary satellite system is called GOES. Two launches are planned in 1974. Some of the capabilities are shown on the next figure. Figure 2 indicates that resolutions to a 1/2 mile are expected.For higher latitudes, polar orbiting meteorologi- cal satellites like ITOS are used. ITOS satel- lites are classified as NOAA when operational. An example of NOAA-2 video and infrared imagery of the scanning radiometry is shown (Figure 3) .NOAA-3, the newest satellite, as well as HOAA-2, has a Vertical Temperature Profile Radiometer able to acquire vertical temperature profiles worldwide.Part of the U.S. national system is the NASA Nim- bus program. There have been five Nimbus vehicles launched to date, primarily on an R&D basis. How- ever, there have been numerous operational uses of the data. Some of the early Nimbus had automatic picture transmission (APT) which was used in many places at the same time that ESSA-2, 4 and 6 APT capabilities existed NIMBUS was local noon where- as ESSA was early morning. Nimbus 4 capabilities are shown on Figure 4 .The enhancement or the use of a temperature/humid- ity infrared radiometer as well as the Image Di- sector Camera System (IDCS) over India is con- trasted on Figure 5.Figure 6 is an infrared photograph of the Gulf Stream from the Nimbus 2, which has been converted into color using the color densitometer . This was done by a group of NASA scientists.We will now discuss the Weather Service satellite system developed by the Department of Defense. The system is called the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP), formerly known as the Data Acquisition and Processing Program (DAPP) .Imagery characteristics are as follows: Spectral interval of the visual band ranges from .4 to 1.1 microns, and the spectral interval of infrared is from 8 to 13 microns. Resolution options are available at .33 and 2.0 NM. The coverage of these polar orbiting satellites is a 1600 to 1700 swath every six hours from an altitude of about5-14501 nautical miles. It characteristic tempera- tures 210-310°K (-63°C to +37'C).This Figure (7) shows a nighttime photographtaken over the. US, There are two revolutions of data shown here in the spectral interval from *4 to 1,1 microns, producing a visible low light imagery taken at midnight, You can, see all of the major cities of the US and, of course, you can see the Aurora Borealis up to the north* The US military bases that are involved in the HiSP, either tracking or processing, are labelled on the picture. There are other stations all over the world because we have military requirements all ^over the world.The worldwide applications of DMSP are nearly limitless as illustrated by the next several slides, Some will be meteorological, others will stress oceanography, geophysics, earth resources and, finally, miscellaneous applications of thes ys t em, p r odu c t s. We hav e al re ady s een th eAn rora1 display . The d ai1y mapping of th is phe-nomena i s a fir st by DMSP. Geophys i cIs t s areusing the data for study of affects on communica- tions,, space environmental anomolies, solar rela- tions and weather,Figures 8, 9 & 10 show the DMSP versatility in the visual and IR modes. The first one is a vis- ible image taken over Florida on a clear day, Lake Okeechobee, Cuba, and parts of the Bahamas are clearly visible. The smudging gray along the east coast is caused by the chemicals from the roll in processing. This might be mistaken for clouds except that the next picture would clearly show that it is not a cloud formation. The next picture is an infrared picture with sixteen gray shades that is time synchronized with the previous one. It clearly shows the Gulf Stream off the east coast of Florida. The temperature range is from 300 degrees Kelvin to 275 degrees Kelvin, a 25 degree temperature spread, divided into six- teen gray shades. Oceanographers, fishermen, hydrologists and meteorologists all would have great interest in these data. If a densitometer or other device to separate numerous gray shades is not available, you have the option of display- ing only four or even two gray shades at one de- gree temperature intervals. For example, we have enhanced the image of the Gulf Stream east of Jacksonville. Each one of the shades shown from white to black represents a one degree temperature change. From 294 to 296 degrees Kelvin, the two gray shades between the black and white are spe- cific emission temperatures.Figure 11 shows very high resolution data (1/3 nautical mile) off the west coast of Florida  you can see what we believe to be river run-off in April 1973. There was heavy rainfall at this time of the year, and the swollen rivers are clearly shown in the Gulf states. A cold front is located to the south of Florida. Wind direc- tion and speed intelligence can be determined by the lee waves in the cloud forms and cumulus cloud streets.Many weather experiments have been conducted a- round the Line Islands in the Pacific which were discovered by Captain Cook in the late 1700s.Figure 12 - The next very high resolution imagery of the DMSP shows a multitude of meteorological intelligence cloud location, easterly wave, low level wind flow, wave height and direction, and anomolous gray. This anomolous gray area on the photo is believed to be invisible clouds (water droplet concentrations) because of the expanded viewing spectral interval of the DMSP.Figure 13 - The corresponding infrared imagery of the Line Island area shows four gray shades with white indicative of clouds above 12,000 feet. The islands and cumulus streets are in black, which was set for temperatures which existed below the 4,000 foot level.Figure 14 - We have already seen low light imagery of the DMSP delineating the Aurora Borealis and city lights. This photo was taken over the Hawai- ian Islands at local midnight with no moonlight. The lights of Oahu are seen. A ringed pattern a- round the lava flow of Keleaua volcano is clearly apparent, much like a sun dog in day time. This ringed pattern is believed to be caused by large sized smoke particle refraction from the volcano; although it could be produced by noctilucent cloud refraction or sensor aberation. The black line through the center of the source is probably radi- ometer overdrive.The US Forest Service spends a great deal of money fighting forest fires and the fires themselves are also collosal wastes. The DMSP or similar system could help in the location of fires in remote re- gions such as the Tundra fires in Alaska, and per- haps reduce some of these wasted resources.Figure 15 - Lights that have not shown up on pre- vious pictures are most likely electrical storms. Bright specks of light in the clouds east of the Bahamas are shown on the moonlight imagery, for example.Figure 16 - Wind flow can be determined by several features shown on satellite imagery. Cumulus cloud streets have already been mentioned. Cloud move- ment, plumes, cirrus streaks, transverse bands and lee waves are other markers of wind flow. Billow clouds indicate speed and direction. IR data fixes the cloud altitude by relating it to vertical temperature profiles. Turbulent strong winds were occurring over Egypt and Isreal as indicated by the billow clouds.Figure 17 - Anomolous cloud lines cannot be ignored when discussing satellite photos. The next series of photos show these cloud lines. Ship contrails? The lines merge into the stratocumulus deck.5-2Figure 18 ~ A cone shock wave around Hainan Is- lands? Subsonic flow around islands create this pattern of cumulus as well as blunt appearing shock waves.Figure 19 - CB dissipation created circular cloud lines around various stages of connective decay.Figure 20 - And, finally, two lines of converging clouds over the area east of San Francisco Bay. This point is the rendezvous position for high flying aircraft in the Bay area. These aircraft- induced phenomena are probably contrail forma- tions .Figure 21 - DMSP has been very instrumental in the recent success of the Joint Typhoon Warning Center in Guam. Cape Kennedy AFS should enjoy similar successes when DMSP becomes operational on the Air Force Eastern Test Range. The eye of typhoon Betty is nearly 35 NM across in this picture.Figure 22 - The spectral interval of the DMSP VHR (.4 to 1.1 microns) enables typhoon Pamela's eye to be easily seen wherein poorer resolution and narrower spectral intervals would have necessitat- ed other means of investigation.Figure 23 - Earth resources research is being con- ducted by NASA's ERTS and SKYLAB. DMSP is a mete- orological satellite system. However, the use of DMSP to determine when to turn on cameras of these systems is valuable. This DMSP picture shows the location of the lumber industry on the island of Cyprus.Figure 24 - The eclipse of the sun showing the moon's shadow over Africa was captured by the DMSP noon vehicle. The umbra and penumbra are shown over the Sahara Desert northwest of Lake Chad.In conclusion, the satellite systems unquestion- ably have opened and lent themselves to a multi- tude of applications heretofore thought to be beyond the scope of sensors in space.ILLUSTRATIONSFigure 1. National Meteorological Satellites. Figure 2. GOES Capabilities.Figure 3. Real Time NOAA-2 Scanning Radiometer Data, 20 October 1972. Figure 4. Nimbus 4 Capabilities. Figure 5. Nimbus Temperature/Humidity Infrared Radiometer vs the Image Disector Camera System. Figure 6. Nimbus 2 Infrared Imagery over Gulf Stream.Figure 7. DMSP Nighttime Visual Imagery over North America.Figure 8. DMSP Very High Resolution Data over Florida, 24 March 1972 (.3 NM Resolution) (.4 to 1.1 Microns Spectral Interval).Figure 9. DMSP Infrared Imagery Taken Simultan- eously with Figure 8. Sixteen Gray Shades are Depicted Corresponding to Emission Temperatures of 300°K to 275°K (Black to White). The Resolu- tion of the Sensor is 1.5 NM with a Spectral Interval of 8 to 13 Microns.Figure 10. DMSP Infrared Imagery Taken Simultane- ously with Figure 8. Four Gray Shades are. Depict- ed Corresponding to Emission Temperatures of 296°K (Black), 295°K and 294°K (White). The Resolution of the IR Sensor is 1.5 NM.Figure 11. DMSP Very High Resolution Data (.3 NM Resolution) (.4 to 1.1 Microns Spectral Interval), 11 April 1973.Figure 12. Very High Resolution (.3 NM) Photo of Line Island Area Taken on 9 March 1970 at Local Noon. This Geographically Gridded Photo Shows the Exact Location of Each and Every Cloud. In Addi- tion, Low Level Wind Flow can be Determined, Especially in the ENE Flow at Christmas Island(A) . Disturbed Weather (B) is Shown on a Small Scale North of Christmas Island. Water Droplet Anoma- lies and Other Sea Surface Data can be Determined from this Visible and Near Infrared Photo (C) (.4 to 1.1 Microns). This is only a Portion of the 1,800 NM Swath Taken Every Revolution by this Sun Synchronous Satellite.Figure 13. This Infrared (IR) Photo was Taken Simultaneously with Figure 12. Four Gray Shades are Depicted for the Following Thermal Emissions. Black is 290°K (17°C) or Warmer That is, Sea Surface or Clouds Less Than 4,000 Feet are in the Black Region. The Dark Gray is Temperatures from 290°K to 280°K, That is, Clouds with Tops From 4,000 Feet to 8,000 Feet. The Light Gray is Emis- sion Temperature Range from 280°K to 270°K, That is, Clouds from 8,000 Feet to 12,000 Feet. White is Temperatures Less Than 270°K or Cloud Tops Greater than 12,000 Feet. This Remarkable 3-D Analysis is Vital to Many Operations in the Pacif- ic Area. AWS Personnel have Performed the Cali- bration to Correct Emission Temperatures to Cloud Tops .Figure 14. No Moonlight Local Midnight DAPP HR Photo over Pacific Ocean. Photo Taken on 28 Dec 1970 Shows Erupting Kilauea on Island of Hawaii, as well as Lights of Oahu, Honolulu and Waikiki Beach are Elongated Horizontal Bright Line on this Geographically Gridded Imagery. Halo Effect Could be Radiometer out of Focussing or Atmospheric Refraction. Oil Refineries and Gas Fields Exhibit this Same Imagery Signature.Figure 15. Nighttime Visual (Full Moon) Showing Lightning in Bahamas, 29 October 1972. Figure 16. DMSP Very High Resolution Imagery Over Middle East (.3 NM Resolution).Figure 17. DMSP Very High Resolution Data (.3 NM) Taken Off West Coast of US on 20 April 1973. Figure 18. Air Weather Service Very High Resolu- tion (VHR) Imagery, 6 Nov 72 (.4 to 1.1 Microns) (3 NM Resolution).Figure 19. Air Weather Service DMSP Very High Resolution (VHR) Photo Northwest of Marshall Is- lands (.4 to 1.1 Microns) (.3 NM Resolution), 5 March 1973, Local Noon.Figure 20. DMSP Very High Resolution Data Showing Intersecting Contrails Over San Francisco Bay, 11 May 1973.Figure 21. Air Weather Service (AWS) DMSP Very High Resolution Data (.3 NM Resolution) (.4 to 1.1 Microns), 12 August 1972.Figure 22. Air Weather Service DMSP Very High Resolution Data, Local Noon Photo (.3 NM5-3Resolution) (.4 to 1,1 Microns Spectral Interval),7 November 1972,Figure 23. Air Weather Service DMSP Photo VeryHigh Resolution (.3 NM Resolution) (.4 to 1.1Microns Spectral Interval), 30 June 1973, LocalNoon,Figure 24, Air Weather Service DMSP Photo, 8 Jan72, Local Noon (.3 NM Resolution) (.4 to 1.1Microns).Figure 1GOES WILL 00CUKIO COVEU :* OR LESS!* OVER ilE11181 Ml IIlELIf 18 Lllll** AND* |iF SOW!25-4GEOGRAPHICALLY GRIDDEDSCANNING RADIOMETERIMAGERYSI LAWRENCE" C SEA IEMP CA8I8BEAKfYUCAIAK_____ NOAA-2VIDIOSTEP WE§8E 81V 6120 OCT 72 1400 1423Z fM~>$]Figure 3Spacecraft Launch Date Meteorological ModalSensor Compliment TimeNimbus IV 8 Apr 70 1 IOCS (Image 1155ADissector Camera 2355D System)I THIR (Temperature Humidity Infrared Radiometer)1 IRIS (Infrared Interferometer Spectrometer)1 SIRS (SatelliteInfrared Spectrometer)1 MUSE (Monitor ofultraviolet solar energy) . 1 BUV (Backscatter ultra- violet Spectrometer)1 FWS (Filter Wedge Spectrometer)1 SCR (Selective ChopperRadiometer). 1 IRLS (Interrogation,   ' Recording and Location System)Figure 45-5GULF- 3 :11, uKtsit /.se S IHNi2 f 19SSFigure 5HETEINLOGICML^SIIILIIII;Figure 6Figure 7 Figure 85-601Figure 13 Figure 14Figure 155-8Figure 16 Figure 17'The SkyFalling'FINGERPRINTFigure 18 Figure 195-9YPHOON BITTYFigure 20Figure 21TYPHOON PAMELA Covered EyeI NOV 72Figure 22 Figure 235-10Figure 245-11

Expansion Of Meteorological Satellite Potential

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Expansion Of Meteorological Satellite Potential

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