What is the group name for "support"??

I know this is not the place for ?'s

Trip
kt4wo67@...



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

> What is the group name for "support"??
>
> I know this is not the place for ?'s
>
> Trip
> kt4wo67@...

For general APT/HRPT questions, you could ask here:

   http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/GEO-Subscribers/

For questions about EUMETCast:

   http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/MSG-1/

For questions about my own software:

   http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/SatSignal/

Cheers,
David
--
SatSignal software - quality software written to your requirements
Web:  http://www.satsignal.eu
Email:  david-taylor@...

WEATHER SATELLITES
                              ===============
POLAR APT, DIGITAL and GEOSTATIONARY WEEKLY STATUS.
   ==============================================

Author :    Douglas S Deans.
E-mail  :   dsdeans@...
Twitter :   Douglas Deans @GM4VZY

Section 4 has updates.

SECTION 1:   POLAR  APT/LRPT  REPORT --  27th February 2012
   ===============================================
     Satellite        Frequency (MHz)      Status        Image Quality

   NOAA 15          137.620  (APT)          on       good. See Note 8.
   NOAA 17          137.500  (APT)          on   No images. See Notes 7&8.
   NOAA 18          137.9125 (APT)         on              good
   NOAA 19          137.100  (APT)          on       good but see Note 6
   Metop-A           137.100 (LRPT)         off          see Note 3
   Meteor M N1   137.100 (LRPT)      sporadic    see Note 6

CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
None.

THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
None expected.

NOTES.

1. Three of the older NOAA weather satellites which have been
     decommissioned and are tumbling freely are known to sporadically put out
     a carrier on 137.500 MHz.  The satellites are TIROS-N, NOAA 6 and NOAA 9
     When the relevant footprints overlap this will cause interference to
     NOAA 17 when active on this frequency.
               --- 20th May 2011 update for NOAA 9. ---
     Sadly although no signals had been heard from NOAA 9 since October 2010,
     I have received 2 reports from Mike Piper and Mike Kenny confirming that
     NOAA 9 is back. Of course the only other APT satellite on 137.500 MHz
     is NOAA 17 with its stalled scan motor so the interference is not a
     problem.   My thanks to Mike and Mike for the reports.

2. NOAA 16's APT transmission system failed a few months after launch.

3. Metop-A's A-side LRPT transmitter has failed.  Currently the redundant
    B-side transmitter is off until further notice (No further service
    expected due to interference with HIRS instrument).

4. NOAA 14 was decommissioned on 23rd May 2007.

5. NOAA 12 was decommissioned on 10th August 2007.

6. Signals have been reported from Meteor M N1 but they are
     sporadic with periods off.  Although classed as LRPT it does not
     conform to the CGMS standard.
     During in-fill carrier phase this satellite can cause interference to
     NOAA 19 when footprints overlap.

7. NOAA 17 has scan motor problems with rising motor currents.
     Constant rephase by the MIRP was causing data dropouts on all the HRPT
     stream and APT and GAC derivatives.
     Auto re-phase has now been disabled and the resulting AVHRR products are
     almost all unusable.  Daily MIRP rephasing via the Stored Command Table
     began on 18 May 2010 (10/138) - at the first pass over the South Pole
     each day.
     Update 29/09/10 :-  Further deterioration in scan motor performance with
     no useable data from the AVHRR instrument. Scan motor has stalled.

8. As of 12th October 2010 at 15.00 UTC the following APT frequencies
     applied :-
     NOAA 17    137.500 MHz.
     NOAA 15    137.620 MHz.

9. Elements are available from :-
     http://www.space-track.org    and
     http://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/

LAUNCHES.
Metop-B launch expected May 23rd 2012.


SECTION 2:   POLAR  HRPT/AHRPT  REPORT -- 27th February 2012
    =================================================
CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
None.

THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
None expected.

Satellite        Frequency   Antenna     Mode          Image Quality
                          (MHz)
NOAA 15         1702.5       Omni         HRPT               Weak
NOAA 16         1698.0       RHCP         HRPT         Good ( note 3)
NOAA 17         1698.0       RHCP         HRPT     No images. See note 7.
NOAA 18         1707.0       RHCP         HRPT              Good
NOAA 19         1698.0       RHCP         HRPT              Good
Feng Yun 1D   1700.4       RHCP         CHRPT     Good (see Note 9.)
Feng Yun 3A    1704.5          see note 5.
Feng Yun 3B    1704.5          see note 5.
Metop-A          1701.3       RHCP         AHRPT        Good (note 4)
Meteor M N1   1700    See note 6.
NPP   see Note 8.

NOTES.

1.  NOAA 14 was decommissioned on 23rd June 2007.

2.  NOAA 12 was decommissioned on 10th August 2007.

3. On Friday 19th September 2003 NOAA 16 developed AVHRR synch. problems
     similar  to those on NOAA 14 (and previously NOAA 15).
     Since then reports have been mixed.  Some periods of good data, some
     poor.
     Update 28th January 2012 :-  After a long period of excellent images,
     there are signs of judder in the images, characteristic of first stage
     of possible scan motor synch. loss.

4. On 25 May 2009, Eumetsat extended the coverage of the Advanced High
     Resolution Picture Transmission (AHRPT) system on Eumetsat's Metop-A
     polar-orbiting satellite. The improved service provides additional
     coverage over the Gulf of Mexico and Indian Ocean regions.
     For more information, please see:
     http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/Media/Features/710601

5. Feng Yun 3A was declared operational on 12th January 2009.
    I am also grateful to Dave Wright of Dartcom for confirming that
    unfortunately (as usual) the Chinese have not strictly complied with the
    CGMS AHRPT Global Standard so reception using a standard Metop AHRPT
    receiver is not possible.
    Update:  The second in the series, Feng Yun 3B was launched on
    4th November 2010. I expect the information above for 3A will
    equally apply to 3B.
    My thanks to Johnny Lin for drawing this to my attention.

6. It appears that Meteor M N1 is neither using full HRPT or AHRPT and
     cannot be received using current receivers.  Please see other WSR mails
     for further explanation :-
     http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/weather-satellite-reports/message/2098.
     Continual sporadic problems with transmission.

7.  NOAA 17 has scan motor problems with rising motor currents.
     Constant rephase by the MIRP was causing data dropouts on all the HRPT
     stream and APT and GAC derivatives.
     Auto re-phase has now been disabled and the resulting AVHRR products are
     almost all unusable.
    Daily MIRP rephasing via the Stored Command Table began on 18 May 2010
    (10/138) - at the first pass over the South Pole each day.
    Update 29/09/10 :-  Further deterioration in scan motor performance with
    no useable data from the AVHRR instrument. Scan motor has stalled.

8. As this weather satellite has no S-band transmitter, it is included for
     information only.

9. Update 5th January 2012 :-  I am grateful to Bill Ulrich from Baltimore
     for reporting good reception from FY-1D with his 1 metre dish.

LAUNCHES.
Metop-B launch expected May 23rd 2012.


SECTION 3:   GEOSTATIONARY REPORT -- 27th February 2012
   ==============================================
CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
None.

THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
None expected.

Europe & Africa
------------------
Satellite :        Meteosat 8 (9.5°E)
Data :             HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :  Yes, RSS and Standby for Meteosat 9.

Satellite :        Meteosat 9 (0°) (note 6).
Data :             HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :   Yes.

North America
----------------
East.

Satellite :        GOES 13 (75° W).
Data:              GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
                        LRIT (digital) -  1691 MHz
Operational:   Yes.

West.

Satellite :         GOES 15 (135°W approx).
Data :              GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
                         LRIT (digital) - 1691 MHz
Operational :   Yes.

Satellite :         GOES 14 (105°W)
Data :               In storage.

South America
----------------
Satellite :        GOES 12 (60°W)
Data :             GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
Operational :  Yes on South American project.

Asia   (Russian Operated Satellite)
--------------------------------------

Satellite :         ELECTRO-L (76° E)
Data :              HRIT/LRIT.
Operational :   Yes.

Asia  (European Operated Satellites)
----------------------------------------
Satellite :      Meteosat 7 (57.5°E)
                      HRI (digital) - 1691 MHz
                      Wefax (analogue) occasionally for ranging purposes
                      only.
Operational :  Yes.

Asia  (Indian Operated Satellite)
--------------------------------
Satellite :         Metsat
Data :              None available.
Operational :   Yes.

Satellite :         Insat 3A  (Note 2.)
Data :              VHRR (digital) 2599 MHz
Operational :   Yes.

Asia (Korean Operated Satellite)
-----------------------------------
Satellite :        COMS (128.2° E)
Data :             HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :  Yes.

Asia & Oceania  (Japanese Operated Satellites)
------------------------------------------------
Satellite :       MTSAT-1R (140° E) (note 4.)
Data :            HRIT (digital) - 1687.1 MHz.
                       LRIT(digital)   - 1691 MHz.
                       (Note 5.)
Operational : yes

Satellite :        MTSAT-2 (145º E).
Data :             HRIT (digital) - 1687.1 MHz
                        LRIT(digital)   - 1691 MHz.
Operational :  Yes


Asia & Oceania  (Chinese Operated Satellites)
----------------------------------------------------
Satellite :          Feng Yun 2D (86.5°E).
Data :               SVISSR (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :   Yes.

Satellite:          Feng Yun 2E (104° E).
Data :              SVISSR (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :   Yes.

NOTES.

1.  Meteosat 7 stopped its 0° service at 09.00 UTC on 14th June 2006.

2. Insat 3A is a combined data and meteorological satellite.

3. For those interested in EMWIN data, the following sats/frequencies apply.

     GOES 15   (135 W)  1692.700 MHz
     GOES 13   (75 W)    1692.700 MHz
    For further info. there are many sources but the following is
    particularly  informative:-
    http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov/emwin/user-intro.htm

4.  This satellite is also known as HIMAWARI 6.

5. HiRID and WEFAX was discontinued on 12th March 2008.  It was replaced
    with HRIT/LRIT (after many months of dual dissemination).

6. Only LRIT (1691.0 MHz) is provided in direct readout.
     Full HRIT and LRIT service from Eumetcast.


LAUNCHES.
None expected.

SECTION 4:   EUMETCAST  REPORT  -- 27th February 2012
   ===========================================

      Service                 Status            Eurobird 9A Satellite (9° E)

     EARS                        On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     Meteosat 8 (RSS)    On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     Meteosat 9             On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     DWDSAT                 On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     EPS(Metop-A)         On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     Jason                      On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz

CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
General Note updated.
Metop and NOAA Global Data Service Note updated.
SAF Products Note added.
Third-Party Data and Products Note updated.

THIS WEEK AND  FUTURE  POSSIBLE  EVENTS.
GENERAL NOTE.
28 February 2012  09:00 - 10:00 UTC.
Essential EUMETCast Maintenance.
Interruption on EUMETCast reception for several seconds, multiple times.
Data delay up to 10 minutes. No losses are expected, but possible. A risk of
a few short interruptions until 15:00.

01 March 2012 09:00 UTC.
Essential EUMETSAT maintenance.
Essential Maintenance interrupting operational internet and FTP servers and
some services on EUMETCast.
For full details, please see:
http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/News/ProductServiceNews/816148?l=en

22 February 2012 - 05 March 2012.
Sun interference may affect the EUMETCast broadcast satellites.
Users might experience lower signal margin or outages on EUMETCast.
The exact times and durations of the signal degradation or outages depend on
the reception location.
For full details, please see:
http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/News/ProductServiceNews/815634?l=en

Meteosat Straylight Predictions for Winter/Spring 2012 available on EUMETSAT
Website:
http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/ServiceStatus/index.htm?l=en
(See Section "Operational Schedules")

METEOSAT 9.
25 February 2012 - 05 March 2012.
Sun Co-linearity.
Repeat cycles 12:00 and 12:15 UTC may be interrupted or not available.

METEOSAT 8 (RSS).
22 February 2012 - 03 March 2012.
Sun Co-linearity.
Repeat cycles 11:30 to 11:45 UTC may be interrupted or not available.

IODC.
04 February 2012 - 27 March 2012.
Meteosat-7 Spring 2012 eclipse season.
Slots 38 to 43 may not be available.

METOP AND NOAA GLOBAL DATA SERVICE.
27 February 2012  19:47 UTC  orbit 27804.
ASCAT Gain Compression.
A short outage of all ASCAT products can be expected.

28 February 2012.
Release of IASI L2 processor version 5.3
A chi square method for retrieval of cloud properties has been introduced to
complement the existing CO2-slicing method.
This leads to an increase of the yield of cloud parameters from about 48% to
70%. Additionally, the SSES values for the IASI SST L2PCore product will be
updated.

02 March 2012 - 05 March 2012.
ASCAT external calibration.
Short outages of the ASCAT GDS Level 1, soil moisture and global and
regional winds products can be expected.
02 March 2012 07:16 UTC orbit 27854
03 March 2012 18:16 UTC orbit 27875
04 March 2012 08:15 UTC orbit 27883
05 March 2012 19:15 UTC orbit 27904

SAF PRODUCTS.
01 March 2012.
Removal of OSI SAF MAP and LML products from EUMETCast.
For full details, please see:
http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/News/ProductServiceNews/815505?l=en

THIRD-PARTY DATA AND PRODUCTS.
10 February 2012 - 27 April 2012.
GOES West Eclipse Season.
08:00 UTC and 09:00 UTC image data may be unavailable or incomplete.

14 February 2012 - 26 April 2012.
MTSAT Eclipse Season.
14:00 UTC and 15:00 UTC image data may be unavailable or incomplete.

24 February 2012 - 15 April 2012.
GOES East Eclipse Season.
05:00 UTC and 06:00 UTC image data may be unavailable or incomplete.

01 March 2012 - 10 March 2012.
MTSAT.
03:00 UTC image data may be unavailable due to Sun-colinearity

04 March 2012.
MTSAT.
21:00 UTC image data will be unavailable due to ground segment maintenance.


The following EPS GDS products are available on Eumetcast.

EPS-2          PID 510    Metop AMSA          operational
EPS-3          PID 510    Metop ASCAT         operational
EPS-5          PID 510    Metop GOME         operational
EPS-6          PID 510    Metop GRAS           operational
EPS-7          PID 510    Metop HIRS            operational
EPS-8          PID 510    Metop MHS            operational
EPS-9          PID 510    Metop SEM            operational
EPS-10        PID 510    Metop AVHRR        operational
EPS-11        PID 510    Metop IASI              operational
EPS-12        PID 510    Metop HKTM          operational
EPS-13        PID 510    NOAA AMSA           operational
EPS-15        PID 510    NOAA GAC              operational
EPS-16        PID 510    NOAA HIRS             operational
EPS-17        PID 510    NOAA MHS             operational
EPS-18        PID 510    EPS Service News   operational
EPS-19        PID 510    Test service            operational
EPS-Africa  PID 300    EPS Europe/Africa   operational
EPS-Global PID 300    EPS Global data      operational
   (EPS-19 may sometimes be limited to Manufacturers)

NOTES.

1.  Reports for all sections  should be sent to :-
      Douglas Deans.   dsdeans@...

2.  For further information on the Eumetcast service see :-
     David Taylor's web site :  http://www.satsignal.eu
     or  the Eumetsat web site :  www.eumetsat.int

GENERAL
=======
For further weather satellite related information join GEO, Group for Earth
Observation, and receive the informative quarterly magazine.  See :-
http://www.geo-web.org.uk/

To download element sets for all satellites visit the following sites :
http://www.space-track.org     and
http://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/

I just read that MetOp-A was under threat of a collision:

"
Please be informed that due to a high risk conjunction, a collision avoidance
in-plane manoeuvre of Metop-A is planned for today 2 March 2012 at 13:00 UTC.


There will be outages on GOME and SEM data as follows:
-    GOME: from 11:59:48 UTC to 13:41:09 UTC
-    SEM: from 11:03:38 UTC to 16:48:00 UTC

Data quality degradation on other instruments will be as per normal in-plane
manoeuvres.  Data will be flagged accordingly.
"

That I am now receiving MetOp images must be a good sign but does anyone know
what the other object was ?

Greetings,
Arne van Belle

WEATHER SATELLITES
                              ===============
POLAR APT, DIGITAL and GEOSTATIONARY WEEKLY STATUS.
   ==============================================

Author :    Douglas S Deans.
E-mail  :   dsdeans@...
Twitter :   Douglas Deans @GM4VZY

Section 4 has updates.

SECTION 1:   POLAR  APT/LRPT  REPORT --  5th March 2012
   ==============================================
     Satellite        Frequency (MHz)      Status        Image Quality

   NOAA 15          137.620  (APT)          on       good. See Note 8.
   NOAA 17          137.500  (APT)          on   No images. See Notes 7&8.
   NOAA 18          137.9125 (APT)         on              good
   NOAA 19          137.100  (APT)          on       good but see Note 6
   Metop-A           137.100 (LRPT)         off          see Note 3
   Meteor M N1   137.100 (LRPT)      sporadic    see Note 6

CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
None.

THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
None expected.

NOTES.

1. Three of the older NOAA weather satellites which have been
     decommissioned and are tumbling freely are known to sporadically put out
     a carrier on 137.500 MHz.  The satellites are TIROS-N, NOAA 6 and NOAA 9
     When the relevant footprints overlap this will cause interference to
     NOAA 17 when active on this frequency.
               --- 20th May 2011 update for NOAA 9. ---
     Sadly although no signals had been heard from NOAA 9 since October 2010,
     I have received 2 reports from Mike Piper and Mike Kenny confirming that
     NOAA 9 is back. Of course the only other APT satellite on 137.500 MHz
     is NOAA 17 with its stalled scan motor so the interference is not a
     problem.   My thanks to Mike and Mike for the reports.

2. NOAA 16's APT transmission system failed a few months after launch.

3. Metop-A's A-side LRPT transmitter has failed.  Currently the redundant
    B-side transmitter is off until further notice (No further service
    expected due to interference with HIRS instrument).

4. NOAA 14 was decommissioned on 23rd May 2007.

5. NOAA 12 was decommissioned on 10th August 2007.

6. Signals have been reported from Meteor M N1 but they are
     sporadic with periods off.  Although classed as LRPT it does not
     conform to the CGMS standard.
     During in-fill carrier phase this satellite can cause interference to
     NOAA 19 when footprints overlap.

7. NOAA 17 has scan motor problems with rising motor currents.
     Constant rephase by the MIRP was causing data dropouts on all the HRPT
     stream and APT and GAC derivatives.
     Auto re-phase has now been disabled and the resulting AVHRR products are
     almost all unusable.  Daily MIRP rephasing via the Stored Command Table
     began on 18 May 2010 (10/138) - at the first pass over the South Pole
     each day.
     Update 29/09/10 :-  Further deterioration in scan motor performance with
     no useable data from the AVHRR instrument. Scan motor has stalled.

8. As of 12th October 2010 at 15.00 UTC the following APT frequencies
     applied :-
     NOAA 17    137.500 MHz.
     NOAA 15    137.620 MHz.

9. Elements are available from :-
     http://www.space-track.org    and
     http://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/

LAUNCHES.
Metop-B launch expected May 23rd 2012.


SECTION 2:   POLAR  HRPT/AHRPT  REPORT -- 5th March 2012
    ===============================================
CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
None.

THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
None expected.

Satellite        Frequency   Antenna     Mode          Image Quality
                          (MHz)
NOAA 15         1702.5       Omni         HRPT               Weak
NOAA 16         1698.0       RHCP         HRPT         Good ( note 3)
NOAA 17         1698.0       RHCP         HRPT     No images. See note 7.
NOAA 18         1707.0       RHCP         HRPT              Good
NOAA 19         1698.0       RHCP         HRPT              Good
Feng Yun 1D   1700.4       RHCP         CHRPT     Good (see Note 9.)
Feng Yun 3A    1704.5          see note 5.
Feng Yun 3B    1704.5          see note 5.
Metop-A          1701.3       RHCP         AHRPT        Good (note 4)
Meteor M N1   1700    See note 6.
NPP   see Note 8.

NOTES.

1.  NOAA 14 was decommissioned on 23rd June 2007.

2.  NOAA 12 was decommissioned on 10th August 2007.

3. On Friday 19th September 2003 NOAA 16 developed AVHRR synch. problems
     similar  to those on NOAA 14 (and previously NOAA 15).
     Since then reports have been mixed.  Some periods of good data, some
     poor.
     Update 28th January 2012 :-  After a long period of excellent images,
     there are signs of judder in the images, characteristic of first stage
     of possible scan motor synch. loss.

4. On 25 May 2009, Eumetsat extended the coverage of the Advanced High
     Resolution Picture Transmission (AHRPT) system on Eumetsat's Metop-A
     polar-orbiting satellite. The improved service provides additional
     coverage over the Gulf of Mexico and Indian Ocean regions.
     For more information, please see:
     http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/Media/Features/710601

5. Feng Yun 3A was declared operational on 12th January 2009.
    I am also grateful to Dave Wright of Dartcom for confirming that
    unfortunately (as usual) the Chinese have not strictly complied with the
    CGMS AHRPT Global Standard so reception using a standard Metop AHRPT
    receiver is not possible.
    Update:  The second in the series, Feng Yun 3B was launched on
    4th November 2010. I expect the information above for 3A will
    equally apply to 3B.
    My thanks to Johnny Lin for drawing this to my attention.

6. It appears that Meteor M N1 is neither using full HRPT or AHRPT and
     cannot be received using current receivers.  Please see other WSR mails
     for further explanation :-
     http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/weather-satellite-reports/message/2098.
     Continual sporadic problems with transmission.

7.  NOAA 17 has scan motor problems with rising motor currents.
     Constant rephase by the MIRP was causing data dropouts on all the HRPT
     stream and APT and GAC derivatives.
     Auto re-phase has now been disabled and the resulting AVHRR products are
     almost all unusable.
    Daily MIRP rephasing via the Stored Command Table began on 18 May 2010
    (10/138) - at the first pass over the South Pole each day.
    Update 29/09/10 :-  Further deterioration in scan motor performance with
    no useable data from the AVHRR instrument. Scan motor has stalled.

8. As this weather satellite has no S-band transmitter, it is included for
     information only.

9. Update 5th January 2012 :-  I am grateful to Bill Ulrich from Baltimore
     for reporting good reception from FY-1D with his 1 metre dish.

LAUNCHES.
Metop-B launch expected May 23rd 2012.


SECTION 3:   GEOSTATIONARY REPORT -- 5th March 2012
   ============================================
CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
None.

THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
None expected.

Europe & Africa
------------------
Satellite :        Meteosat 8 (9.5°E)
Data :             HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :  Yes, RSS and Standby for Meteosat 9.

Satellite :        Meteosat 9 (0°) (note 6).
Data :             HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :   Yes.

North America
----------------
East.

Satellite :        GOES 13 (75° W).
Data:              GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
                        LRIT (digital) -  1691 MHz
Operational:   Yes.

West.

Satellite :         GOES 15 (135°W approx).
Data :              GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
                         LRIT (digital) - 1691 MHz
Operational :   Yes.

Satellite :         GOES 14 (105°W)
Data :               In storage.

South America
----------------
Satellite :        GOES 12 (60°W)
Data :             GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
Operational :  Yes on South American project.

Asia   (Russian Operated Satellite)
--------------------------------------

Satellite :         ELECTRO-L (76° E)
Data :              HRIT/LRIT.
Operational :   Yes.

Asia  (European Operated Satellites)
----------------------------------------
Satellite :      Meteosat 7 (57.5°E)
                      HRI (digital) - 1691 MHz
                      Wefax (analogue) occasionally for ranging purposes
                      only.
Operational :  Yes.

Asia  (Indian Operated Satellite)
--------------------------------
Satellite :         Metsat
Data :              None available.
Operational :   Yes.

Satellite :         Insat 3A  (Note 2.)
Data :              VHRR (digital) 2599 MHz
Operational :   Yes.

Asia (Korean Operated Satellite)
-----------------------------------
Satellite :        COMS (128.2° E)
Data :             HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :  Yes.

Asia & Oceania  (Japanese Operated Satellites)
------------------------------------------------
Satellite :       MTSAT-1R (140° E) (note 4.)
Data :            HRIT (digital) - 1687.1 MHz.
                       LRIT(digital)   - 1691 MHz.
                       (Note 5.)
Operational : yes

Satellite :        MTSAT-2 (145º E).
Data :             HRIT (digital) - 1687.1 MHz
                        LRIT(digital)   - 1691 MHz.
Operational :  Yes


Asia & Oceania  (Chinese Operated Satellites)
----------------------------------------------------
Satellite :          Feng Yun 2D (86.5°E).
Data :               SVISSR (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :   Yes.

Satellite:          Feng Yun 2E (104° E).
Data :              SVISSR (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :   Yes.

NOTES.

1.  Meteosat 7 stopped its 0° service at 09.00 UTC on 14th June 2006.

2. Insat 3A is a combined data and meteorological satellite.

3. For those interested in EMWIN data, the following sats/frequencies apply.

     GOES 15   (135 W)  1692.700 MHz
     GOES 13   (75 W)    1692.700 MHz
    For further info. there are many sources but the following is
    particularly  informative:-
    http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov/emwin/user-intro.htm

4.  This satellite is also known as HIMAWARI 6.

5. HiRID and WEFAX was discontinued on 12th March 2008.  It was replaced
    with HRIT/LRIT (after many months of dual dissemination).

6. Only LRIT (1691.0 MHz) is provided in direct readout.
     Full HRIT and LRIT service from Eumetcast.


LAUNCHES.
None expected.

SECTION 4:   EUMETCAST  REPORT  -- 5th March 2012
   =========================================

      Service                 Status            Eurobird 9A Satellite (9° E)

     EARS                        On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     Meteosat 8 (RSS)    On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     Meteosat 9             On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     DWDSAT                 On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     EPS(Metop-A)         On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     Jason                      On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz

CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
General Note updated.
Metop and NOAA Global Data Service Note updated.
SAF Products Note added.
Third-Party Data and Products Note updated.

THIS WEEK AND  FUTURE  POSSIBLE  EVENTS.
GENERAL NOTE.
28 February 2012  09:00 - 10:00 UTC.
Essential EUMETCast Maintenance.
Interruption on EUMETCast reception for several seconds, multiple times.
Data delay up to 10 minutes. No losses are expected, but possible. A risk of
a few short interruptions until 15:00.

01 March 2012 09:00 UTC.
Essential EUMETSAT maintenance.
Essential Maintenance interrupting operational internet and FTP servers and
some services on EUMETCast.
For full details, please see:
http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/News/ProductServiceNews/816148?l=en

22 February 2012 - 05 March 2012.
Sun interference may affect the EUMETCast broadcast satellites.
Users might experience lower signal margin or outages on EUMETCast.
The exact times and durations of the signal degradation or outages depend on
the reception location.
For full details, please see:
http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/News/ProductServiceNews/815634?l=en

Meteosat Straylight Predictions for Winter/Spring 2012 available on EUMETSAT
Website:
http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/ServiceStatus/index.htm?l=en
(See Section "Operational Schedules")

METEOSAT 9.
25 February 2012 - 05 March 2012.
Sun Co-linearity.
Repeat cycles 12:00 and 12:15 UTC may be interrupted or not available.

METEOSAT 8 (RSS).
22 February 2012 - 03 March 2012.
Sun Co-linearity.
Repeat cycles 11:30 to 11:45 UTC may be interrupted or not available.

IODC.
04 February 2012 - 27 March 2012.
Meteosat-7 Spring 2012 eclipse season.
Slots 38 to 43 may not be available.

METOP AND NOAA GLOBAL DATA SERVICE.
27 February 2012  19:47 UTC  orbit 27804.
ASCAT Gain Compression.
A short outage of all ASCAT products can be expected.

28 February 2012.
Release of IASI L2 processor version 5.3
A chi square method for retrieval of cloud properties has been introduced to
complement the existing CO2-slicing method.
This leads to an increase of the yield of cloud parameters from about 48% to
70%. Additionally, the SSES values for the IASI SST L2PCore product will be
updated.

02 March 2012 - 05 March 2012.
ASCAT external calibration.
Short outages of the ASCAT GDS Level 1, soil moisture and global and
regional winds products can be expected.
02 March 2012 07:16 UTC orbit 27854
03 March 2012 18:16 UTC orbit 27875
04 March 2012 08:15 UTC orbit 27883
05 March 2012 19:15 UTC orbit 27904

SAF PRODUCTS.
01 March 2012.
Removal of OSI SAF MAP and LML products from EUMETCast.
For full details, please see:
http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/News/ProductServiceNews/815505?l=en

THIRD-PARTY DATA AND PRODUCTS.
10 February 2012 - 27 April 2012.
GOES West Eclipse Season.
08:00 UTC and 09:00 UTC image data may be unavailable or incomplete.

14 February 2012 - 26 April 2012.
MTSAT Eclipse Season.
14:00 UTC and 15:00 UTC image data may be unavailable or incomplete.

24 February 2012 - 15 April 2012.
GOES East Eclipse Season.
05:00 UTC and 06:00 UTC image data may be unavailable or incomplete.

01 March 2012 - 10 March 2012.
MTSAT.
03:00 UTC image data may be unavailable due to Sun-colinearity

04 March 2012.
MTSAT.
21:00 UTC image data will be unavailable due to ground segment maintenance.


The following EPS GDS products are available on Eumetcast.

EPS-2          PID 510    Metop AMSA          operational
EPS-3          PID 510    Metop ASCAT         operational
EPS-5          PID 510    Metop GOME         operational
EPS-6          PID 510    Metop GRAS           operational
EPS-7          PID 510    Metop HIRS            operational
EPS-8          PID 510    Metop MHS            operational
EPS-9          PID 510    Metop SEM            operational
EPS-10        PID 510    Metop AVHRR        operational
EPS-11        PID 510    Metop IASI              operational
EPS-12        PID 510    Metop HKTM          operational
EPS-13        PID 510    NOAA AMSA           operational
EPS-15        PID 510    NOAA GAC              operational
EPS-16        PID 510    NOAA HIRS             operational
EPS-17        PID 510    NOAA MHS             operational
EPS-18        PID 510    EPS Service News   operational
EPS-19        PID 510    Test service            operational
EPS-Africa  PID 300    EPS Europe/Africa   operational
EPS-Global PID 300    EPS Global data      operational
   (EPS-19 may sometimes be limited to Manufacturers)

NOTES.

1.  Reports for all sections  should be sent to :-
      Douglas Deans.   dsdeans@...

2.  For further information on the Eumetcast service see :-
     David Taylor's web site :  http://www.satsignal.eu
     or  the Eumetsat web site :  www.eumetsat.int

GENERAL
=======
For further weather satellite related information join GEO, Group for Earth
Observation, and receive the informative quarterly magazine.  See :-
http://www.geo-web.org.uk/

To download element sets for all satellites visit the following sites :
http://www.space-track.org     and
http://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/

Folks apologies but my Monday (5th) weather satellite report escaped whilst
being edited.
It is not fully updated so please ignore and full report will be sent on
Monday.
Thanks.

Douglas.

hi all.

  In this morning's pass of the satellite Meteor M, I've seen that have failed
three of the six channels of images. The pass was right yesterday.

  Greetings.


Jordi Mas
BARCELONA

Arne, I think it was a piece of debris from FY-1C, but I only have the
orbital elements for Metop after it made the avoidance maneuver, so can't
be sure.
Does anyone have a set of the pre-maneuver elements?

Simon.

On Sat, Mar 3, 2012 at 1:13 PM, a_van_belle <a.van.belle@...> wrote:

> **
>
>
> I just read that MetOp-A was under threat of a collision:
>
> "
> Please be informed that due to a high risk conjunction, a collision
> avoidance in-plane manoeuvre of Metop-A is planned for today 2 March 2012
> at 13:00 UTC.
>
> There will be outages on GOME and SEM data as follows:
> - GOME: from 11:59:48 UTC to 13:41:09 UTC
> - SEM: from 11:03:38 UTC to 16:48:00 UTC
>
> Data quality degradation on other instruments will be as per normal
> in-plane manoeuvres. Data will be flagged accordingly.
> "
>
> That I am now receiving MetOp images must be a good sign but does anyone
> know what the other object was ?
>
> Greetings,
> Arne van Belle
>
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

WEATHER SATELLITES
                              ===============
POLAR APT, DIGITAL and GEOSTATIONARY WEEKLY STATUS.
   ==============================================

Author :    Douglas S Deans.
E-mail  :   dsdeans@...
Twitter :   Douglas Deans @GM4VZY

Section 4 has updates.

SECTION 1:   POLAR  APT/LRPT  REPORT --  5th March 2012
   ==============================================
     Satellite        Frequency (MHz)      Status        Image Quality

   NOAA 15          137.620  (APT)          on       good. See Note 8.
   NOAA 17          137.500  (APT)          on   No images. See Notes 7&8.
   NOAA 18          137.9125 (APT)         on              good
   NOAA 19          137.100  (APT)          on       good but see Note 6
   Metop-A           137.100 (LRPT)         off          see Note 3
   Meteor M N1   137.100 (LRPT)      sporadic    see Note 6

CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
None.

THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
None expected.

NOTES.

1. Three of the older NOAA weather satellites which have been
     decommissioned and are tumbling freely are known to sporadically put out
     a carrier on 137.500 MHz.  The satellites are TIROS-N, NOAA 6 and NOAA 9
     When the relevant footprints overlap this will cause interference to
     NOAA 17 when active on this frequency.
               --- 20th May 2011 update for NOAA 9. ---
     Sadly although no signals had been heard from NOAA 9 since October 2010,
     I have received 2 reports from Mike Piper and Mike Kenny confirming that
     NOAA 9 is back. Of course the only other APT satellite on 137.500 MHz
     is NOAA 17 with its stalled scan motor so the interference is not a
     problem.   My thanks to Mike and Mike for the reports.

2. NOAA 16's APT transmission system failed a few months after launch.

3. Metop-A's A-side LRPT transmitter has failed.  Currently the redundant
    B-side transmitter is off until further notice (No further service
    expected due to interference with HIRS instrument).

4. NOAA 14 was decommissioned on 23rd May 2007.

5. NOAA 12 was decommissioned on 10th August 2007.

6. Signals have been reported from Meteor M N1 but they are
     sporadic with periods off.  Although classed as LRPT it does not
     conform to the CGMS standard.
     During in-fill carrier phase this satellite can cause interference to
     NOAA 19 when footprints overlap.

7. NOAA 17 has scan motor problems with rising motor currents.
     Constant rephase by the MIRP was causing data dropouts on all the HRPT
     stream and APT and GAC derivatives.
     Auto re-phase has now been disabled and the resulting AVHRR products are
     almost all unusable.  Daily MIRP rephasing via the Stored Command Table
     began on 18 May 2010 (10/138) - at the first pass over the South Pole
     each day.
     Update 29/09/10 :-  Further deterioration in scan motor performance with
     no useable data from the AVHRR instrument. Scan motor has stalled.

8. As of 12th October 2010 at 15.00 UTC the following APT frequencies
     applied :-
     NOAA 17    137.500 MHz.
     NOAA 15    137.620 MHz.

9. Elements are available from :-
     http://www.space-track.org    and
     http://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/

LAUNCHES.
Metop-B launch expected May 23rd 2012.


SECTION 2:   POLAR  HRPT/AHRPT  REPORT -- 5th March 2012
    ===============================================
CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
None.

THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
None expected.

Satellite        Frequency   Antenna     Mode          Image Quality
                          (MHz)
NOAA 15         1702.5       Omni         HRPT               Weak
NOAA 16         1698.0       RHCP         HRPT         Good ( note 3)
NOAA 17         1698.0       RHCP         HRPT     No images. See note 7.
NOAA 18         1707.0       RHCP         HRPT              Good
NOAA 19         1698.0       RHCP         HRPT              Good
Feng Yun 1D   1700.4       RHCP         CHRPT     Good (see Note 9.)
Feng Yun 3A    1704.5          see note 5.
Feng Yun 3B    1704.5          see note 5.
Metop-A          1701.3       RHCP         AHRPT        Good (note 4)
Meteor M N1   1700    See note 6.
NPP   see Note 8.

NOTES.

1.  NOAA 14 was decommissioned on 23rd June 2007.

2.  NOAA 12 was decommissioned on 10th August 2007.

3. On Friday 19th September 2003 NOAA 16 developed AVHRR synch. problems
     similar  to those on NOAA 14 (and previously NOAA 15).
     Since then reports have been mixed.  Some periods of good data, some
     poor.
     Update 28th January 2012 :-  After a long period of excellent images,
     there are signs of judder in the images, characteristic of first stage
     of possible scan motor synch. loss.

4. On 25 May 2009, Eumetsat extended the coverage of the Advanced High
     Resolution Picture Transmission (AHRPT) system on Eumetsat's Metop-A
     polar-orbiting satellite. The improved service provides additional
     coverage over the Gulf of Mexico and Indian Ocean regions.
     For more information, please see:
     http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/Media/Features/710601

5. Feng Yun 3A was declared operational on 12th January 2009.
    I am also grateful to Dave Wright of Dartcom for confirming that
    unfortunately (as usual) the Chinese have not strictly complied with the
    CGMS AHRPT Global Standard so reception using a standard Metop AHRPT
    receiver is not possible.
    Update:  The second in the series, Feng Yun 3B was launched on
    4th November 2010. I expect the information above for 3A will
    equally apply to 3B.
    My thanks to Johnny Lin for drawing this to my attention.

6. It appears that Meteor M N1 is neither using full HRPT or AHRPT and
     cannot be received using current receivers.  Please see other WSR mails
     for further explanation :-
     http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/weather-satellite-reports/message/2098.
     Continual sporadic problems with transmission.

7.  NOAA 17 has scan motor problems with rising motor currents.
     Constant rephase by the MIRP was causing data dropouts on all the HRPT
     stream and APT and GAC derivatives.
     Auto re-phase has now been disabled and the resulting AVHRR products are
     almost all unusable.
    Daily MIRP rephasing via the Stored Command Table began on 18 May 2010
    (10/138) - at the first pass over the South Pole each day.
    Update 29/09/10 :-  Further deterioration in scan motor performance with
    no useable data from the AVHRR instrument. Scan motor has stalled.

8. As this weather satellite has no S-band transmitter, it is included for
     information only.

9. Update 5th January 2012 :-  I am grateful to Bill Ulrich from Baltimore
     for reporting good reception from FY-1D with his 1 metre dish.

LAUNCHES.
Metop-B launch expected May 23rd 2012.


SECTION 3:   GEOSTATIONARY REPORT -- 5th March 2012
   ============================================
CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
None.

THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
None expected.

Europe & Africa
------------------
Satellite :        Meteosat 8 (9.5°E)
Data :             HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :  Yes, RSS and Standby for Meteosat 9.

Satellite :        Meteosat 9 (0°) (note 6).
Data :             HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :   Yes.

North America
----------------
East.

Satellite :        GOES 13 (75° W).
Data:              GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
                        LRIT (digital) -  1691 MHz
Operational:   Yes.

West.

Satellite :         GOES 15 (135°W approx).
Data :              GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
                         LRIT (digital) - 1691 MHz
Operational :   Yes.

Satellite :         GOES 14 (105°W)
Data :               In storage.

South America
----------------
Satellite :        GOES 12 (60°W)
Data :             GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
Operational :  Yes on South American project.

Asia   (Russian Operated Satellite)
--------------------------------------

Satellite :         ELECTRO-L (76° E)
Data :              HRIT/LRIT.
Operational :   Yes.

Asia  (European Operated Satellites)
----------------------------------------
Satellite :      Meteosat 7 (57.5°E)
                      HRI (digital) - 1691 MHz
                      Wefax (analogue) occasionally for ranging purposes
                      only.
Operational :  Yes.

Asia  (Indian Operated Satellite)
--------------------------------
Satellite :         Metsat
Data :              None available.
Operational :   Yes.

Satellite :         Insat 3A  (Note 2.)
Data :              VHRR (digital) 2599 MHz
Operational :   Yes.

Asia (Korean Operated Satellite)
-----------------------------------
Satellite :        COMS (128.2° E)
Data :             HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :  Yes.

Asia & Oceania  (Japanese Operated Satellites)
------------------------------------------------
Satellite :       MTSAT-1R (140° E) (note 4.)
Data :            HRIT (digital) - 1687.1 MHz.
                       LRIT(digital)   - 1691 MHz.
                       (Note 5.)
Operational : yes

Satellite :        MTSAT-2 (145º E).
Data :             HRIT (digital) - 1687.1 MHz
                        LRIT(digital)   - 1691 MHz.
Operational :  Yes


Asia & Oceania  (Chinese Operated Satellites)
----------------------------------------------------
Satellite :          Feng Yun 2D (86.5°E).
Data :               SVISSR (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :   Yes.

Satellite:          Feng Yun 2E (104° E).
Data :              SVISSR (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :   Yes.

NOTES.

1.  Meteosat 7 stopped its 0° service at 09.00 UTC on 14th June 2006.

2. Insat 3A is a combined data and meteorological satellite.

3. For those interested in EMWIN data, the following sats/frequencies apply.

     GOES 15   (135 W)  1692.700 MHz
     GOES 13   (75 W)    1692.700 MHz
    For further info. there are many sources but the following is
    particularly  informative:-
    http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov/emwin/user-intro.htm

4.  This satellite is also known as HIMAWARI 6.

5. HiRID and WEFAX was discontinued on 12th March 2008.  It was replaced
    with HRIT/LRIT (after many months of dual dissemination).

6. Only LRIT (1691.0 MHz) is provided in direct readout.
     Full HRIT and LRIT service from Eumetcast.


LAUNCHES.
None expected.

SECTION 4:   EUMETCAST  REPORT  -- 5th March 2012
   =========================================

      Service                 Status            Eurobird 9A Satellite (9° E)

     EARS                        On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     Meteosat 8 (RSS)    On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     Meteosat 9             On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     DWDSAT                 On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     EPS(Metop-A)         On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     Jason                      On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz

CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
General Note updated.
Meteosat 9 Note updated.
Meteosat 8 (RSS) Note updated.
Metop and NOAA Global Data Service Note updated.
Jason-2 Note added.
Future Events Note added.

THIS WEEK AND  FUTURE  POSSIBLE  EVENTS.
GENERAL NOTE.
22 February 2012 - 05 March 2012.
Sun interference may affect the EUMETCast broadcast satellites.
Users might experience lower signal margin or outages on EUMETCast.
The exact times and durations of the signal degradation or outages depend on
the reception location.
For full details, please see:
http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/News/ProductServiceNews/815634?l=en

05 March 2012 and 08 March 2012 09:30 - 12:30 UTC.
Essential infrastructure maintenance.
These activities are not expected to impact operational services, however
short interruptions cannot be excluded.

Meteosat Straylight Predictions for Winter/Spring 2012 available on EUMETSAT
Website:
http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/ServiceStatus/index.htm?l=en
(See Section "Operational Schedules")

METEOSAT 9.
25 February 2012 - 05 March 2012.
Sun Co-linearity.
Repeat cycles 12:00 and 12:15 UTC may be interrupted or not available.

06 March 2012 09:30 - 12:30 UTC.
Ground Segment Tests.
Due to ground segment verification test there may be a risk of interruption
or degradation to the following services:
Meteosat-9 LRIT Direct dissemination.
Meteosat-9 image data.

METEOSAT 8 (RSS).
06 March 2012  09:00 UTC - 08 March 2012  09:00 UTC.
Monthly RSS interruption.
Rapid Scanning Service will be suspended for scheduled Full Earth Scanning
and Ground Segment Maintenance.
Full Earth Images, if any, will not be disseminated. Upon resuming the Rapid
Scanning Service, most meteorological products may take up to 30 minutes to
resume.
Note, the Multi-Sensor Precipitation Estimate (MPE) may take up to 18 hours
to fully resume.

IODC.
04 February 2012 - 27 March 2012.
Meteosat-7 Spring 2012 eclipse season.
Slots 38 to 43 may not be available.

METOP AND NOAA GLOBAL DATA SERVICE.
02 March 2012 - 05 March 2012.
ASCAT external calibration.
Short outages of the ASCAT GDS Level 1, soil moisture and global and
regional winds products can be expected.
02 March 2012 07:16 UTC orbit 27854
03 March 2012 18:16 UTC orbit 27875
04 March 2012 08:15 UTC orbit 27883
05 March 2012 19:15 UTC orbit 27904

10 March 2012 05:10 - 09:10 UTC.
IASI External Calibration.
Outage to IASI GDS Level 1C atmospheric temperature and water vapour, cloud
parameters, ozone and trace gases, and emissivity products.

THIRD-PARTY DATA AND PRODUCTS.
10 February 2012 - 27 April 2012.
GOES West Eclipse Season.
08:00 UTC and 09:00 UTC image data may be unavailable or incomplete.

14 February 2012 - 26 April 2012.
MTSAT Eclipse Season.
14:00 UTC and 15:00 UTC image data may be unavailable or incomplete.

24 February 2012 - 15 April 2012.
GOES East Eclipse Season.
05:00 UTC and 06:00 UTC image data may be unavailable or incomplete.

01 March 2012 - 10 March 2012.
MTSAT.
03:00 UTC image data may be unavailable due to Sun-colinearity.

JASON-2.
08 March 2012  19:29:25 UTC.
Jason-2 Manoeuvre is foreseen.
OGDR products may be degraded for about 2 hours after the manoeuvre.

FUTURE EVENTS.
General Note.
12 March 2012 09:30 - 12:30 UTC.
Essential infrastructure maintenance.
This activity is not expected to impact operational services, however short
interruptions cannot be excluded.

SAF Products.
15 March 2012.
LSA-SAF Fire Risk Map (FRM) and Fire Detection and Monitoring (FDeM)
products available on EUMETCast.
For full details, please see:
http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/News/ProductServiceNews/816415?l=en

The following EPS GDS products are available on Eumetcast.

EPS-2          PID 510    Metop AMSA          operational
EPS-3          PID 510    Metop ASCAT         operational
EPS-5          PID 510    Metop GOME         operational
EPS-6          PID 510    Metop GRAS           operational
EPS-7          PID 510    Metop HIRS            operational
EPS-8          PID 510    Metop MHS            operational
EPS-9          PID 510    Metop SEM            operational
EPS-10        PID 510    Metop AVHRR        operational
EPS-11        PID 510    Metop IASI              operational
EPS-12        PID 510    Metop HKTM          operational
EPS-13        PID 510    NOAA AMSA           operational
EPS-15        PID 510    NOAA GAC              operational
EPS-16        PID 510    NOAA HIRS             operational
EPS-17        PID 510    NOAA MHS             operational
EPS-18        PID 510    EPS Service News   operational
EPS-19        PID 510    Test service            operational
EPS-Africa  PID 300    EPS Europe/Africa   operational
EPS-Global PID 300    EPS Global data      operational
   (EPS-19 may sometimes be limited to Manufacturers)

NOTES.

1.  Reports for all sections  should be sent to :-
      Douglas Deans.   dsdeans@...

2.  For further information on the Eumetcast service see :-
     David Taylor's web site :  http://www.satsignal.eu
     or  the Eumetsat web site :  www.eumetsat.int

GENERAL
=======
For further weather satellite related information join GEO, Group for Earth
Observation, and receive the informative quarterly magazine.  See :-
http://www.geo-web.org.uk/

To download element sets for all satellites visit the following sites :
http://www.space-track.org     and
http://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/

> Arne, I think it was a piece of debris from FY-1C, but I only have the
> orbital elements for Metop after it made the avoidance maneuver, so
> can't
> be sure.
> Does anyone have a set of the pre-maneuver elements?
>
> Simon.

Some recent ones:

1 29499U 06044A   12060.65856732 -.00000120  00000-0 -34994-4 0  6678
2 29499 098.7138 121.3628 0001329 041.0561 319.0727 14.21480403278302
1 29499U 06044A   12061.64401082 +.00000073 +00000-0 +53229-4 0 06703
2 29499 098.7138 122.3357 0001299 038.0663 322.0623 14.21481475278441
1 29499U 06044A   12062.84062209 +.00000350 +00000-0 +17991-3 0 06703
2 29499 098.7136 123.5171 0001270 035.9842 324.1549 14.21483202278619
1 29499U 06044A   12063.82605883 +.00001053 +00000-0 +50147-3 0 06726
2 29499 098.7138 124.4902 0001265 034.4571 325.6741 14.21488288278754

I hope that helps...

Cheers,
David
--
SatSignal software - quality software written to your requirements
Web:  http://www.satsignal.eu
Email:  david-taylor@...

This is an experimental Russian satellite. This sometimes happens.
Sometimes there is also the failure of synchronization.

Oleg

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Thanks Simon for the hint and David for the keps.

Must be hard to track the many pieces from this event !
The Chinese had better send a vacuum cleaner after the missile that destroyed
FY-1C.

http://www.ucsusa.org/assets/documents/nwgs/debris-from-china-asat.pdf

Greetings,
Arne van Belle



--- In weather-satellite-reports@yahoogroups.com, Simon Proud <simon.proud@...>
wrote:
>
> Arne, I think it was a piece of debris from FY-1C, but I only have the
> orbital elements for Metop after it made the avoidance maneuver, so can't
> be sure.
> Does anyone have a set of the pre-maneuver elements?
>
> Simon.
>
> On Sat, Mar 3, 2012 at 1:13 PM, a_van_belle <a.van.belle@...> wrote:
>
> > **
> >
> >
> > I just read that MetOp-A was under threat of a collision:
> >
> > "
> > Please be informed that due to a high risk conjunction, a collision
> > avoidance in-plane manoeuvre of Metop-A is planned for today 2 March 2012
> > at 13:00 UTC.
> >
> > There will be outages on GOME and SEM data as follows:
> > - GOME: from 11:59:48 UTC to 13:41:09 UTC
> > - SEM: from 11:03:38 UTC to 16:48:00 UTC
> >
> > Data quality degradation on other instruments will be as per normal
> > in-plane manoeuvres. Data will be flagged accordingly.
> > "
> >
> > That I am now receiving MetOp images must be a good sign but does anyone
> > know what the other object was ?
> >
> > Greetings,
> > Arne van Belle
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

Hi again,
I tested David's Metop TLEs in both our own propagator and using STK's CAT
- neither show any likely collisions in the few days following March 2nd:
The closest approach to any other object is more than 2km. So I'd guess
it's a very small piece of debris that doesn't get its own TLEs published.
NORAD has a habit of dumping warnings about those onto operators at rather
short notice.
It'd be interesting to know if any of you guys hear any more about it.

Cheers,
Simon.

On Tue, Mar 6, 2012 at 12:00 AM, a_van_belle <a.van.belle@...> wrote:

> **
>
>
> Thanks Simon for the hint and David for the keps.
>
> Must be hard to track the many pieces from this event !
> The Chinese had better send a vacuum cleaner after the missile that
> destroyed FY-1C.
>
> http://www.ucsusa.org/assets/documents/nwgs/debris-from-china-asat.pdf
>
> Greetings,
> Arne van Belle
>
> --- In weather-satellite-reports@yahoogroups.com, Simon Proud
> <simon.proud@...> wrote:
> >
> > Arne, I think it was a piece of debris from FY-1C, but I only have the
> > orbital elements for Metop after it made the avoidance maneuver, so can't
> > be sure.
> > Does anyone have a set of the pre-maneuver elements?
> >
> > Simon.
> >
> > On Sat, Mar 3, 2012 at 1:13 PM, a_van_belle <a.van.belle@...> wrote:
> >
> > > **
>
> > >
> > >
> > > I just read that MetOp-A was under threat of a collision:
> > >
> > > "
> > > Please be informed that due to a high risk conjunction, a collision
> > > avoidance in-plane manoeuvre of Metop-A is planned for today 2 March
> 2012
> > > at 13:00 UTC.
> > >
> > > There will be outages on GOME and SEM data as follows:
> > > - GOME: from 11:59:48 UTC to 13:41:09 UTC
> > > - SEM: from 11:03:38 UTC to 16:48:00 UTC
> > >
> > > Data quality degradation on other instruments will be as per normal
> > > in-plane manoeuvres. Data will be flagged accordingly.
> > > "
> > >
> > > That I am now receiving MetOp images must be a good sign but does
> anyone
> > > know what the other object was ?
> > >
> > > Greetings,
> > > Arne van Belle
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

WEATHER SATELLITES
                              ===============
POLAR APT, DIGITAL and GEOSTATIONARY WEEKLY STATUS.
   ==============================================

Author :    Douglas S Deans.
E-mail  :   dsdeans@...
Twitter :   Douglas Deans @GM4VZY

Section 4 has updates.

SECTION 1:   POLAR  APT/LRPT  REPORT --  12th March 2012
   ==============================================
     Satellite        Frequency (MHz)      Status        Image Quality

   NOAA 15          137.620  (APT)          on       good. See Note 8.
   NOAA 17          137.500  (APT)          on   No images. See Notes 7&8.
   NOAA 18          137.9125 (APT)         on              good
   NOAA 19          137.100  (APT)          on       good but see Note 6
   Metop-A           137.100 (LRPT)         off          see Note 3
   Meteor M N1   137.100 (LRPT)      sporadic    see Note 6

CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
None.

THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
None expected.

NOTES.

1. Three of the older NOAA weather satellites which have been
     decommissioned and are tumbling freely are known to sporadically put out
     a carrier on 137.500 MHz.  The satellites are TIROS-N, NOAA 6 and NOAA 9
     When the relevant footprints overlap this will cause interference to
     NOAA 17 when active on this frequency.
               --- 20th May 2011 update for NOAA 9. ---
     Sadly although no signals had been heard from NOAA 9 since October 2010,
     I have received 2 reports from Mike Piper and Mike Kenny confirming that
     NOAA 9 is back. Of course the only other APT satellite on 137.500 MHz
     is NOAA 17 with its stalled scan motor so the interference is not a
     problem.   My thanks to Mike and Mike for the reports.

2. NOAA 16's APT transmission system failed a few months after launch.

3. Metop-A's A-side LRPT transmitter has failed.  Currently the redundant
    B-side transmitter is off until further notice (No further service
    expected due to interference with HIRS instrument).

4. NOAA 14 was decommissioned on 23rd May 2007.

5. NOAA 12 was decommissioned on 10th August 2007.

6. Signals have been reported from Meteor M N1 but they are
     sporadic with periods off.  Although classed as LRPT it does not
     conform to the CGMS standard.
     During in-fill carrier phase this satellite can cause interference to
     NOAA 19 when footprints overlap.

7. NOAA 17 has scan motor problems with rising motor currents.
     Constant rephase by the MIRP was causing data dropouts on all the HRPT
     stream and APT and GAC derivatives.
     Auto re-phase has now been disabled and the resulting AVHRR products are
     almost all unusable.  Daily MIRP rephasing via the Stored Command Table
     began on 18 May 2010 (10/138) - at the first pass over the South Pole
     each day.
     Update 29/09/10 :-  Further deterioration in scan motor performance with
     no useable data from the AVHRR instrument. Scan motor has stalled.

8. As of 12th October 2010 at 15.00 UTC the following APT frequencies
     applied :-
     NOAA 17    137.500 MHz.
     NOAA 15    137.620 MHz.

9. Elements are available from :-
     http://www.space-track.org    and
     http://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/

LAUNCHES.
Metop-B launch expected May 23rd 2012.


SECTION 2:   POLAR  HRPT/AHRPT  REPORT -- 12th March 2012
    ===============================================
CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
None.

THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
None expected.

Satellite        Frequency   Antenna     Mode          Image Quality
                          (MHz)
NOAA 15         1702.5       Omni         HRPT               Weak
NOAA 16         1698.0       RHCP         HRPT         Good ( note 3)
NOAA 17         1698.0       RHCP         HRPT     No images. See note 7.
NOAA 18         1707.0       RHCP         HRPT              Good
NOAA 19         1698.0       RHCP         HRPT              Good
Feng Yun 1D   1700.4       RHCP         CHRPT     Good (see Note 9.)
Feng Yun 3A    1704.5          see note 5.
Feng Yun 3B    1704.5          see note 5.
Metop-A          1701.3       RHCP         AHRPT        Good (note 4)
Meteor M N1   1700    See note 6.
NPP   see Note 8.

NOTES.

1.  NOAA 14 was decommissioned on 23rd June 2007.

2.  NOAA 12 was decommissioned on 10th August 2007.

3. On Friday 19th September 2003 NOAA 16 developed AVHRR synch. problems
     similar  to those on NOAA 14 (and previously NOAA 15).
     Since then reports have been mixed.  Some periods of good data, some
     poor.
     Update 28th January 2012 :-  After a long period of excellent images,
     there are signs of judder in the images, characteristic of first stage
     of possible scan motor synch. loss.

4. On 25 May 2009, Eumetsat extended the coverage of the Advanced High
     Resolution Picture Transmission (AHRPT) system on Eumetsat's Metop-A
     polar-orbiting satellite. The improved service provides additional
     coverage over the Gulf of Mexico and Indian Ocean regions.
     For more information, please see:
     http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/Media/Features/710601

5. Feng Yun 3A was declared operational on 12th January 2009.
    I am also grateful to Dave Wright of Dartcom for confirming that
    unfortunately (as usual) the Chinese have not strictly complied with the
    CGMS AHRPT Global Standard so reception using a standard Metop AHRPT
    receiver is not possible.
    Update:  The second in the series, Feng Yun 3B was launched on
    4th November 2010. I expect the information above for 3A will
    equally apply to 3B.
    My thanks to Johnny Lin for drawing this to my attention.

6. It appears that Meteor M N1 is neither using full HRPT or AHRPT and
     cannot be received using current receivers.  Please see other WSR mails
     for further explanation :-
     http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/weather-satellite-reports/message/2098.
     Continual sporadic problems with transmission.

7.  NOAA 17 has scan motor problems with rising motor currents.
     Constant rephase by the MIRP was causing data dropouts on all the HRPT
     stream and APT and GAC derivatives.
     Auto re-phase has now been disabled and the resulting AVHRR products are
     almost all unusable.
    Daily MIRP rephasing via the Stored Command Table began on 18 May 2010
    (10/138) - at the first pass over the South Pole each day.
    Update 29/09/10 :-  Further deterioration in scan motor performance with
    no useable data from the AVHRR instrument. Scan motor has stalled.

8. As this weather satellite has no S-band transmitter, it is included for
     information only.

9. Update 5th January 2012 :-  I am grateful to Bill Ulrich from Baltimore
     for reporting good reception from FY-1D with his 1 metre dish.

LAUNCHES.
Metop-B launch expected May 23rd 2012.


SECTION 3:   GEOSTATIONARY REPORT -- 12th March 2012
   ============================================
CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
None.

THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
None expected.

Europe & Africa
------------------
Satellite :        Meteosat 8 (9.5°E)
Data :             HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :  Yes, RSS and Standby for Meteosat 9.

Satellite :        Meteosat 9 (0°) (note 6).
Data :             HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :   Yes.

North America
----------------
East.

Satellite :        GOES 13 (75° W).
Data:              GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
                        LRIT (digital) -  1691 MHz
Operational:   Yes.

West.

Satellite :         GOES 15 (135°W approx).
Data :              GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
                         LRIT (digital) - 1691 MHz
Operational :   Yes.

Satellite :         GOES 14 (105°W)
Data :               In storage.

South America
----------------
Satellite :        GOES 12 (60°W)
Data :             GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
Operational :  Yes on South American project.

Asia   (Russian Operated Satellite)
--------------------------------------

Satellite :         ELECTRO-L (76° E)
Data :              HRIT/LRIT.
Operational :   Yes.

Asia  (European Operated Satellites)
----------------------------------------
Satellite :      Meteosat 7 (57.5°E)
                      HRI (digital) - 1691 MHz
                      Wefax (analogue) occasionally for ranging purposes
                      only.
Operational :  Yes.

Asia  (Indian Operated Satellite)
--------------------------------
Satellite :         Metsat
Data :              None available.
Operational :   Yes.

Satellite :         Insat 3A  (Note 2.)
Data :              VHRR (digital) 2599 MHz
Operational :   Yes.

Asia (Korean Operated Satellite)
-----------------------------------
Satellite :        COMS (128.2° E)
Data :             HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :  Yes.

Asia & Oceania  (Japanese Operated Satellites)
------------------------------------------------
Satellite :       MTSAT-1R (140° E) (note 4.)
Data :            HRIT (digital) - 1687.1 MHz.
                       LRIT(digital)   - 1691 MHz.
                       (Note 5.)
Operational : yes

Satellite :        MTSAT-2 (145º E).
Data :             HRIT (digital) - 1687.1 MHz
                        LRIT(digital)   - 1691 MHz.
Operational :  Yes


Asia & Oceania  (Chinese Operated Satellites)
----------------------------------------------------
Satellite :          Feng Yun 2D (86.5°E).
Data :               SVISSR (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :   Yes.

Satellite:          Feng Yun 2E (104° E).
Data :              SVISSR (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :   Yes.

NOTES.

1.  Meteosat 7 stopped its 0° service at 09.00 UTC on 14th June 2006.

2. Insat 3A is a combined data and meteorological satellite.

3. For those interested in EMWIN data, the following sats/frequencies apply.

     GOES 15   (135 W)  1692.700 MHz
     GOES 13   (75 W)    1692.700 MHz
    For further info. there are many sources but the following is
    particularly  informative:-
    http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov/emwin/user-intro.htm

4.  This satellite is also known as HIMAWARI 6.

5. HiRID and WEFAX was discontinued on 12th March 2008.  It was replaced
    with HRIT/LRIT (after many months of dual dissemination).

6. Only LRIT (1691.0 MHz) is provided in direct readout.
     Full HRIT and LRIT service from Eumetcast.


LAUNCHES.
None expected.

SECTION 4:   EUMETCAST  REPORT  -- 12th March 2012
   =========================================

      Service                 Status            Eurobird 9A Satellite (9° E)

     EARS                        On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     Meteosat 8 (RSS)    On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     Meteosat 9             On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     DWDSAT                 On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     EPS(Metop-A)         On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     Jason                      On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz

CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
General Note updated.
Meteosat 9 Note updated.
Meteosat 8 (RSS) Note updated.
Metop and NOAA Global Data Service Note updated.
SAF Products Note added.

THIS WEEK AND  FUTURE  POSSIBLE  EVENTS.
GENERAL NOTE.
12 March 2012 09:30 - 12:30 UTC.
Essential infrastructure maintenance.
This activity is not expected to impact operational services, however short
interruptions cannot be excluded.

13 March 2012 and 15th March 2012  09:00 - 16:00 UTC.
Essential communications maintenance may affect the following services:
METOP and NOAA GDS, EARS, DRAPSO.

Meteosat Straylight Predictions for Winter/Spring 2012 available on EUMETSAT
Website:
http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/ServiceStatus/index.htm?l=en
(See Section "Operational Schedules")

METEOSAT 9.
18 March 2012  Around 09:00 UTC (Exact times to follow).
Co-alignment of the two sun sensor slits on-board Meteosat-9.
Risk of degraded image quality during this time period.
The following services may be affected:
0 deg SEVIRI High Rate Meteosat-9
0 deg SEVIRI Low Rate Meteosat-9
0 deg Meteorological Products Meteosat-9

METEOSAT 8 (RSS).
16 March 2012  Around 20:00 UTC (Exact times to follow).
Co-alignment of the two sun sensor slits on-board Meteosat-8
Risk of degraded image quality during this time period.
The following services may be affected:
0 deg SEVIRI High Rate Meteosat-8
0 deg Meteorological Products Meteosat-8

IODC.
04 February 2012 - 27 March 2012.
Meteosat-7 Spring 2012 eclipse season.
Slots 38 to 43 may not be available.

METOP AND NOAA GLOBAL DATA SERVICE.
16 March 2012  19:03 - 19:53 UTC Orbit 28060.
GOME2 monthly measurements of GOME-2 polarisation (PMD) data in raw readout
mode (PMDRAW).
Near real-time products from O3M SAF (L2 NTO) will be affected (see SAF
PRODUCTS below).

SAF PRODUCTS.
15 March 2012.
LSA-SAF Fire Risk Map (FRM) and Fire Detection and Monitoring (FDeM)
products available on EUMETCast.
For full details, please see:
http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/News/ProductServiceNews/816415?l=en

16 March 2012  19:03 - 19:53 UTC Orbit 28060
GOME2 operations (see above), O3M SAF Near Real Time Total Column products
(Total Column Ozone, the Total Column NO2, and the Tropospheric NO2) will be
unavailable.

THIRD-PARTY DATA AND PRODUCTS.
10 February 2012 - 27 April 2012.
GOES West Eclipse Season.
08:00 UTC and 09:00 UTC image data may be unavailable or incomplete.

14 February 2012 - 26 April 2012.
MTSAT Eclipse Season.
14:00 UTC and 15:00 UTC image data may be unavailable or incomplete.

24 February 2012 - 15 April 2012.
GOES East Eclipse Season.
05:00 UTC and 06:00 UTC image data may be unavailable or incomplete.


The following EPS GDS products are available on Eumetcast.

EPS-2          PID 510    Metop AMSA          operational
EPS-3          PID 510    Metop ASCAT         operational
EPS-5          PID 510    Metop GOME         operational
EPS-6          PID 510    Metop GRAS           operational
EPS-7          PID 510    Metop HIRS            operational
EPS-8          PID 510    Metop MHS            operational
EPS-9          PID 510    Metop SEM            operational
EPS-10        PID 510    Metop AVHRR        operational
EPS-11        PID 510    Metop IASI              operational
EPS-12        PID 510    Metop HKTM          operational
EPS-13        PID 510    NOAA AMSA           operational
EPS-15        PID 510    NOAA GAC              operational
EPS-16        PID 510    NOAA HIRS             operational
EPS-17        PID 510    NOAA MHS             operational
EPS-18        PID 510    EPS Service News   operational
EPS-19        PID 510    Test service            operational
EPS-Africa  PID 300    EPS Europe/Africa   operational
EPS-Global PID 300    EPS Global data      operational
   (EPS-19 may sometimes be limited to Manufacturers)

NOTES.

1.  Reports for all sections  should be sent to :-
      Douglas Deans.   dsdeans@...

2.  For further information on the Eumetcast service see :-
     David Taylor's web site :  http://www.satsignal.eu
     or  the Eumetsat web site :  www.eumetsat.int

GENERAL
=======
For further weather satellite related information join GEO, Group for Earth
Observation, and receive the informative quarterly magazine.  See :-
http://www.geo-web.org.uk/

To download element sets for all satellites visit the following sites :
http://www.space-track.org     and
http://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/

The report "escaped" ... that's a good way of saying I hit the send
button prematurely.  LOL.

On 03/03/2012 12:20 PM, Douglas Deans wrote:
> Folks apologies but my Monday (5th) weather satellite report escaped whilst
> being edited.
> It is not fully updated so please ignore and full report will be sent on
> Monday.
> Thanks.
>
> Douglas.
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

--

--------------------------
David G. Brooks
"Jus-Ric",
   Rockley,
   Christ Church, BB15152
   BARBADOS, West Indies

       URL:      http://www.brohavwx.com/

Home Tel:      (246) 436-1417


Work Tel:      (246) 431-0193
Work Cel:      (246) 266-8732
Work Fax:      (246) 431-0192

WEATHER SATELLITES
                              ===============
POLAR APT, DIGITAL and GEOSTATIONARY WEEKLY STATUS.
   ==============================================

Author :    Douglas S Deans.
E-mail  :   dsdeans@...
Twitter :   Douglas Deans @GM4VZY

Section 4 has updates.

SECTION 1:   POLAR  APT/LRPT  REPORT --  19th March 2012
   ==============================================
     Satellite        Frequency (MHz)      Status        Image Quality

   NOAA 15          137.620  (APT)          on       good. See Note 8.
   NOAA 17          137.500  (APT)          on   No images. See Notes 7&8.
   NOAA 18          137.9125 (APT)         on              good
   NOAA 19          137.100  (APT)          on       good but see Note 6
   Metop-A           137.100 (LRPT)         off          see Note 3
   Meteor M N1   137.100 (LRPT)      sporadic    see Note 6

CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
None.

THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
None expected.

NOTES.

1. Three of the older NOAA weather satellites which have been
     decommissioned and are tumbling freely are known to sporadically put out
     a carrier on 137.500 MHz.  The satellites are TIROS-N, NOAA 6 and NOAA 9
     When the relevant footprints overlap this will cause interference to
     NOAA 17 when active on this frequency.
               --- 20th May 2011 update for NOAA 9. ---
     Sadly although no signals had been heard from NOAA 9 since October 2010,
     I have received 2 reports from Mike Piper and Mike Kenny confirming that
     NOAA 9 is back. Of course the only other APT satellite on 137.500 MHz
     is NOAA 17 with its stalled scan motor so the interference is not a
     problem.   My thanks to Mike and Mike for the reports.

2. NOAA 16's APT transmission system failed a few months after launch.

3. Metop-A's A-side LRPT transmitter has failed.  Currently the redundant
    B-side transmitter is off until further notice (No further service
    expected due to interference with HIRS instrument).

4. NOAA 14 was decommissioned on 23rd May 2007.

5. NOAA 12 was decommissioned on 10th August 2007.

6. Signals have been reported from Meteor M N1 but they are
     sporadic with periods off.  Although classed as LRPT it does not
     conform to the CGMS standard.
     During in-fill carrier phase this satellite can cause interference to
     NOAA 19 when footprints overlap.

7. NOAA 17 has scan motor problems with rising motor currents.
     Constant rephase by the MIRP was causing data dropouts on all the HRPT
     stream and APT and GAC derivatives.
     Auto re-phase has now been disabled and the resulting AVHRR products are
     almost all unusable.  Daily MIRP rephasing via the Stored Command Table
     began on 18 May 2010 (10/138) - at the first pass over the South Pole
     each day.
     Update 29/09/10 :-  Further deterioration in scan motor performance with
     no useable data from the AVHRR instrument. Scan motor has stalled.

8. As of 12th October 2010 at 15.00 UTC the following APT frequencies
     applied :-
     NOAA 17    137.500 MHz.
     NOAA 15    137.620 MHz.

9. Elements are available from :-
     http://www.space-track.org    and
     http://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/

LAUNCHES.
Metop-B launch expected May 23rd 2012.


SECTION 2:   POLAR  HRPT/AHRPT  REPORT -- 19th March 2012
    ===============================================
CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
None.

THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
None expected.

Satellite        Frequency   Antenna     Mode          Image Quality
                          (MHz)
NOAA 15         1702.5       Omni         HRPT               Weak
NOAA 16         1698.0       RHCP         HRPT         Good ( note 3)
NOAA 17         1698.0       RHCP         HRPT     No images. See note 7.
NOAA 18         1707.0       RHCP         HRPT              Good
NOAA 19         1698.0       RHCP         HRPT              Good
Feng Yun 1D   1700.4       RHCP         CHRPT     Good (see Note 9.)
Feng Yun 3A    1704.5          see note 5.
Feng Yun 3B    1704.5          see note 5.
Metop-A          1701.3       RHCP         AHRPT        Good (note 4)
Meteor M N1   1700    See note 6.
NPP   see Note 8.

NOTES.

1.  NOAA 14 was decommissioned on 23rd June 2007.

2.  NOAA 12 was decommissioned on 10th August 2007.

3. On Friday 19th September 2003 NOAA 16 developed AVHRR synch. problems
     similar  to those on NOAA 14 (and previously NOAA 15).
     Since then reports have been mixed.  Some periods of good data, some
     poor.
     Update 28th January 2012 :-  After a long period of excellent images,
     there are signs of judder in the images, characteristic of first stage
     of possible scan motor synch. loss.

4. On 25 May 2009, Eumetsat extended the coverage of the Advanced High
     Resolution Picture Transmission (AHRPT) system on Eumetsat's Metop-A
     polar-orbiting satellite. The improved service provides additional
     coverage over the Gulf of Mexico and Indian Ocean regions.
     For more information, please see:
     http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/Media/Features/710601

5. Feng Yun 3A was declared operational on 12th January 2009.
    I am also grateful to Dave Wright of Dartcom for confirming that
    unfortunately (as usual) the Chinese have not strictly complied with the
    CGMS AHRPT Global Standard so reception using a standard Metop AHRPT
    receiver is not possible.
    Update:  The second in the series, Feng Yun 3B was launched on
    4th November 2010. I expect the information above for 3A will
    equally apply to 3B.
    My thanks to Johnny Lin for drawing this to my attention.

6. It appears that Meteor M N1 is neither using full HRPT or AHRPT and
     cannot be received using current receivers.  Please see other WSR mails
     for further explanation :-
     http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/weather-satellite-reports/message/2098.
     Continual sporadic problems with transmission.

7.  NOAA 17 has scan motor problems with rising motor currents.
     Constant rephase by the MIRP was causing data dropouts on all the HRPT
     stream and APT and GAC derivatives.
     Auto re-phase has now been disabled and the resulting AVHRR products are
     almost all unusable.
    Daily MIRP rephasing via the Stored Command Table began on 18 May 2010
    (10/138) - at the first pass over the South Pole each day.
    Update 29/09/10 :-  Further deterioration in scan motor performance with
    no useable data from the AVHRR instrument. Scan motor has stalled.

8. As this weather satellite has no S-band transmitter, it is included for
     information only.

9. Update 5th January 2012 :-  I am grateful to Bill Ulrich from Baltimore
     for reporting good reception from FY-1D with his 1 metre dish.

LAUNCHES.
Metop-B launch expected May 23rd 2012.


SECTION 3:   GEOSTATIONARY REPORT -- 19th March 2012
   ============================================
CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
None.

THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
None expected.

Europe & Africa
------------------
Satellite :        Meteosat 8 (9.5°E)
Data :             HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :  Yes, RSS and Standby for Meteosat 9.

Satellite :        Meteosat 9 (0°) (note 6).
Data :             HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :   Yes.

North America
----------------
East.

Satellite :        GOES 13 (75° W).
Data:              GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
                        LRIT (digital) -  1691 MHz
Operational:   Yes.

West.

Satellite :         GOES 15 (135°W approx).
Data :              GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
                         LRIT (digital) - 1691 MHz
Operational :   Yes.

Satellite :         GOES 14 (105°W)
Data :               In storage.

South America
----------------
Satellite :        GOES 12 (60°W)
Data :             GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
Operational :  Yes on South American project.

Asia   (Russian Operated Satellite)
--------------------------------------

Satellite :         ELECTRO-L (76° E)
Data :              HRIT/LRIT.
Operational :   Yes.

Asia  (European Operated Satellites)
----------------------------------------
Satellite :      Meteosat 7 (57.5°E)
                      HRI (digital) - 1691 MHz
                      Wefax (analogue) occasionally for ranging purposes
                      only.
Operational :  Yes.

Asia  (Indian Operated Satellite)
--------------------------------
Satellite :         Metsat
Data :              None available.
Operational :   Yes.

Satellite :         Insat 3A  (Note 2.)
Data :              VHRR (digital) 2599 MHz
Operational :   Yes.

Asia (Korean Operated Satellite)
-----------------------------------
Satellite :        COMS (128.2° E)
Data :             HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :  Yes.

Asia & Oceania  (Japanese Operated Satellites)
------------------------------------------------
Satellite :       MTSAT-1R (140° E) (note 4.)
Data :            HRIT (digital) - 1687.1 MHz.
                       LRIT(digital)   - 1691 MHz.
                       (Note 5.)
Operational : yes

Satellite :        MTSAT-2 (145º E).
Data :             HRIT (digital) - 1687.1 MHz
                        LRIT(digital)   - 1691 MHz.
Operational :  Yes


Asia & Oceania  (Chinese Operated Satellites)
----------------------------------------------------
Satellite :          Feng Yun 2D (86.5°E).
Data :               SVISSR (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :   Yes.

Satellite:          Feng Yun 2E (104° E).
Data :              SVISSR (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :   Yes.

NOTES.

1.  Meteosat 7 stopped its 0° service at 09.00 UTC on 14th June 2006.

2. Insat 3A is a combined data and meteorological satellite.

3. For those interested in EMWIN data, the following sats/frequencies apply.

     GOES 15   (135 W)  1692.700 MHz
     GOES 13   (75 W)    1692.700 MHz
    For further info. there are many sources but the following is
    particularly  informative:-
    http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov/emwin/user-intro.htm

4.  This satellite is also known as HIMAWARI 6.

5. HiRID and WEFAX was discontinued on 12th March 2008.  It was replaced
    with HRIT/LRIT (after many months of dual dissemination).

6. Only LRIT (1691.0 MHz) is provided in direct readout.
     Full HRIT and LRIT service from Eumetcast.


LAUNCHES.
None expected.

SECTION 4:   EUMETCAST  REPORT  -- 19th March 2012
   =========================================

      Service                 Status            Eurobird 9A Satellite (9° E)

     EARS                        On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     Meteosat 8 (RSS)    On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     Meteosat 9             On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     DWDSAT                 On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     EPS(Metop-A)         On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     Jason                      On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz

CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
General Note updated.
IODC Note updated.
Metop and NOAA Global Data Service Note updated.
Data Centre Note added.
Third-Party Data and Products Note updated.

THIS WEEK AND  FUTURE  POSSIBLE  EVENTS.
GENERAL NOTE.
21 March 2012  09:00 - 13:00 UTC.
Essential EUMETCast Maintenance.
At 11:00 UTC and 13:00 UTC short interruptions and delay of data reception
up to 5 min. No losses expected.

Meteosat Straylight Predictions for Winter/Spring 2012 available on EUMETSAT
Website:
http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/ServiceStatus/index.htm?l=en
(See Section "Operational Schedules")

IODC.
20 March 2012 01:58 UTC.
Meteosat-7 Manoeuvre.
Users may observe degraded image quality for up to 6 hours after the
manoeuvre.

04 February 2012 - 27 March 2012.
Meteosat-7 Spring 2012 eclipse season.
Slots 38 to 43 may not be available.

METOP AND NOAA GLOBAL DATA SERVICE.
20 March 2012.
Release of ASCAT L1 processor version 8.1
Risk of product outages for all ASCAT products.

DATA CENTRE.
22 March 2012  09:00 - 15:00 UTC.
EUMETSAT Data Centre Archive Maintenance.
During this time, no orders will be processed.

THIRD-PARTY DATA AND PRODUCTS.
19 March 2012  21:00 UTC.
MTSAT ground system maintenance.
21:00 UTC image data will be unavailable.

10 February 2012 - 27 April 2012.
GOES West Eclipse Season.
08:00 UTC and 09:00 UTC image data may be unavailable or incomplete.

14 February 2012 - 26 April 2012.
MTSAT Eclipse Season.
14:00 UTC and 15:00 UTC image data may be unavailable or incomplete.

24 February 2012 - 15 April 2012.
GOES East Eclipse Season.
05:00 UTC and 06:00 UTC image data may be unavailable or incomplete.


The following EPS GDS products are available on Eumetcast.

EPS-2          PID 510    Metop AMSA          operational
EPS-3          PID 510    Metop ASCAT         operational
EPS-5          PID 510    Metop GOME         operational
EPS-6          PID 510    Metop GRAS           operational
EPS-7          PID 510    Metop HIRS            operational
EPS-8          PID 510    Metop MHS            operational
EPS-9          PID 510    Metop SEM            operational
EPS-10        PID 510    Metop AVHRR        operational
EPS-11        PID 510    Metop IASI              operational
EPS-12        PID 510    Metop HKTM          operational
EPS-13        PID 510    NOAA AMSA           operational
EPS-15        PID 510    NOAA GAC              operational
EPS-16        PID 510    NOAA HIRS             operational
EPS-17        PID 510    NOAA MHS             operational
EPS-18        PID 510    EPS Service News   operational
EPS-19        PID 510    Test service            operational
EPS-Africa  PID 300    EPS Europe/Africa   operational
EPS-Global PID 300    EPS Global data      operational
   (EPS-19 may sometimes be limited to Manufacturers)

NOTES.

1.  Reports for all sections  should be sent to :-
      Douglas Deans.   dsdeans@...

2.  For further information on the Eumetcast service see :-
     David Taylor's web site :  http://www.satsignal.eu
     or  the Eumetsat web site :  www.eumetsat.int

GENERAL
=======
For further weather satellite related information join GEO, Group for Earth
Observation, and receive the informative quarterly magazine.  See :-
http://www.geo-web.org.uk/

To download element sets for all satellites visit the following sites :
http://www.space-track.org     and
http://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/

There has been no data from GOES 15 since 21st March due to a bad momentum
unload causing GOES 15 to go into sun acquisition mode.
No instruments are operational.
Engineers are currently attempting to recover the situation.
No date is available for possible return to operations.

Regards,
Douglas.

WEATHER SATELLITES
                              ===============
POLAR APT, DIGITAL and GEOSTATIONARY WEEKLY STATUS.
   ==============================================

Author :    Douglas S Deans.
E-mail  :   dsdeans@...
Twitter :   Douglas Deans @GM4VZY

Section 4 has updates.

SECTION 1:   POLAR  APT/LRPT  REPORT --  26th March 2012
   ==============================================
     Satellite        Frequency (MHz)      Status        Image Quality

   NOAA 15          137.620  (APT)          on       good. See Note 8.
   NOAA 17          137.500  (APT)          on   No images. See Notes 7&8.
   NOAA 18          137.9125 (APT)         on              good
   NOAA 19          137.100  (APT)          on       good but see Note 6
   Metop-A           137.100 (LRPT)         off          see Note 3
   Meteor M N1   137.100 (LRPT)      sporadic    see Note 6

CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
None.

THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
None expected.

NOTES.

1. Three of the older NOAA weather satellites which have been
     decommissioned and are tumbling freely are known to sporadically put out
     a carrier on 137.500 MHz.  The satellites are TIROS-N, NOAA 6 and NOAA 9
     When the relevant footprints overlap this will cause interference to
     NOAA 17 when active on this frequency.
               --- 20th May 2011 update for NOAA 9. ---
     Sadly although no signals had been heard from NOAA 9 since October 2010,
     I have received 2 reports from Mike Piper and Mike Kenny confirming that
     NOAA 9 is back. Of course the only other APT satellite on 137.500 MHz
     is NOAA 17 with its stalled scan motor so the interference is not a
     problem.   My thanks to Mike and Mike for the reports.

2. NOAA 16's APT transmission system failed a few months after launch.

3. Metop-A's A-side LRPT transmitter has failed.  Currently the redundant
    B-side transmitter is off until further notice (No further service
    expected due to interference with HIRS instrument).

4. NOAA 14 was decommissioned on 23rd May 2007.

5. NOAA 12 was decommissioned on 10th August 2007.

6. Signals have been reported from Meteor M N1 but they are
     sporadic with periods off.  Although classed as LRPT it does not
     conform to the CGMS standard.
     During in-fill carrier phase this satellite can cause interference to
     NOAA 19 when footprints overlap.

7. NOAA 17 has scan motor problems with rising motor currents.
     Constant rephase by the MIRP was causing data dropouts on all the HRPT
     stream and APT and GAC derivatives.
     Auto re-phase has now been disabled and the resulting AVHRR products are
     almost all unusable.  Daily MIRP rephasing via the Stored Command Table
     began on 18 May 2010 (10/138) - at the first pass over the South Pole
     each day.
     Update 29/09/10 :-  Further deterioration in scan motor performance with
     no useable data from the AVHRR instrument. Scan motor has stalled.

8. As of 12th October 2010 at 15.00 UTC the following APT frequencies
     applied :-
     NOAA 17    137.500 MHz.
     NOAA 15    137.620 MHz.

9. Elements are available from :-
     http://www.space-track.org    and
     http://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/

LAUNCHES.
Metop-B launch expected May 23rd 2012.


SECTION 2:   POLAR  HRPT/AHRPT  REPORT -- 26th March 2012
    ===============================================
CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
None.

THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
None expected.

Satellite        Frequency   Antenna     Mode          Image Quality
                          (MHz)
NOAA 15         1702.5       Omni         HRPT               Weak
NOAA 16         1698.0       RHCP         HRPT         Good ( note 3)
NOAA 17         1698.0       RHCP         HRPT     No images. See note 7.
NOAA 18         1707.0       RHCP         HRPT              Good
NOAA 19         1698.0       RHCP         HRPT              Good
Feng Yun 1D   1700.4       RHCP         CHRPT     Good (see Note 9.)
Feng Yun 3A    1704.5          see note 5.
Feng Yun 3B    1704.5          see note 5.
Metop-A          1701.3       RHCP         AHRPT        Good (note 4)
Meteor M N1   1700    See note 6.
NPP   see Note 8.

NOTES.

1.  NOAA 14 was decommissioned on 23rd June 2007.

2.  NOAA 12 was decommissioned on 10th August 2007.

3. On Friday 19th September 2003 NOAA 16 developed AVHRR synch. problems
     similar  to those on NOAA 14 (and previously NOAA 15).
     Since then reports have been mixed.  Some periods of good data, some
     poor.
     Update 28th January 2012 :-  After a long period of excellent images,
     there are signs of judder in the images, characteristic of first stage
     of possible scan motor synch. loss.

4. On 25 May 2009, Eumetsat extended the coverage of the Advanced High
     Resolution Picture Transmission (AHRPT) system on Eumetsat's Metop-A
     polar-orbiting satellite. The improved service provides additional
     coverage over the Gulf of Mexico and Indian Ocean regions.
     For more information, please see:
     http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/Media/Features/710601

5. Feng Yun 3A was declared operational on 12th January 2009.
    I am also grateful to Dave Wright of Dartcom for confirming that
    unfortunately (as usual) the Chinese have not strictly complied with the
    CGMS AHRPT Global Standard so reception using a standard Metop AHRPT
    receiver is not possible.
    Update:  The second in the series, Feng Yun 3B was launched on
    4th November 2010. I expect the information above for 3A will
    equally apply to 3B.
    My thanks to Johnny Lin for drawing this to my attention.

6. It appears that Meteor M N1 is neither using full HRPT or AHRPT and
     cannot be received using current receivers.  Please see other WSR mails
     for further explanation :-
     http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/weather-satellite-reports/message/2098.
     Continual sporadic problems with transmission.

7.  NOAA 17 has scan motor problems with rising motor currents.
     Constant rephase by the MIRP was causing data dropouts on all the HRPT
     stream and APT and GAC derivatives.
     Auto re-phase has now been disabled and the resulting AVHRR products are
     almost all unusable.
    Daily MIRP rephasing via the Stored Command Table began on 18 May 2010
    (10/138) - at the first pass over the South Pole each day.
    Update 29/09/10 :-  Further deterioration in scan motor performance with
    no useable data from the AVHRR instrument. Scan motor has stalled.

8. As this weather satellite has no S-band transmitter, it is included for
     information only.

9. Update 5th January 2012 :-  I am grateful to Bill Ulrich from Baltimore
     for reporting good reception from FY-1D with his 1 metre dish.

LAUNCHES.
Metop-B launch expected May 23rd 2012.


SECTION 3:   GEOSTATIONARY REPORT -- 26th March 2012
   ============================================
CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
None.

THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
None expected.

Europe & Africa
------------------
Satellite :        Meteosat 8 (9.5°E)
Data :             HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :  Yes, RSS and Standby for Meteosat 9.

Satellite :        Meteosat 9 (0°) (note 6).
Data :             HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :   Yes.

North America
----------------
East.

Satellite :        GOES 13 (75° W).
Data:              GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
                        LRIT (digital) -  1691 MHz
Operational:   Yes.

West.

Satellite :         GOES 15 (135°W approx).
Data :              GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
                         LRIT (digital) - 1691 MHz
Operational :   Yes.

Satellite :         GOES 14 (105°W)
Data :               In storage.

South America
----------------
Satellite :        GOES 12 (60°W)
Data :             GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
Operational :  Yes on South American project.

Asia   (Russian Operated Satellite)
--------------------------------------

Satellite :         ELECTRO-L (76° E)
Data :              HRIT/LRIT.
Operational :   Yes.

Asia  (European Operated Satellites)
----------------------------------------
Satellite :      Meteosat 7 (57.5°E)
                      HRI (digital) - 1691 MHz
                      Wefax (analogue) occasionally for ranging purposes
                      only.
Operational :  Yes.

Asia  (Indian Operated Satellite)
--------------------------------
Satellite :         Metsat
Data :              None available.
Operational :   Yes.

Satellite :         Insat 3A  (Note 2.)
Data :              VHRR (digital) 2599 MHz
Operational :   Yes.

Asia (Korean Operated Satellite)
-----------------------------------
Satellite :        COMS (128.2° E)
Data :             HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :  Yes.

Asia & Oceania  (Japanese Operated Satellites)
------------------------------------------------
Satellite :       MTSAT-1R (140° E) (note 4.)
Data :            HRIT (digital) - 1687.1 MHz.
                       LRIT(digital)   - 1691 MHz.
                       (Note 5.)
Operational : yes

Satellite :        MTSAT-2 (145º E).
Data :             HRIT (digital) - 1687.1 MHz
                        LRIT(digital)   - 1691 MHz.
Operational :  Yes


Asia & Oceania  (Chinese Operated Satellites)
----------------------------------------------------
Satellite :          Feng Yun 2D (86.5°E).
Data :               SVISSR (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :   Yes.

Satellite:          Feng Yun 2E (104° E).
Data :              SVISSR (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :   Yes.

NOTES.

1.  Meteosat 7 stopped its 0° service at 09.00 UTC on 14th June 2006.

2. Insat 3A is a combined data and meteorological satellite.

3. For those interested in EMWIN data, the following sats/frequencies apply.

     GOES 15   (135 W)  1692.700 MHz
     GOES 13   (75 W)    1692.700 MHz
    For further info. there are many sources but the following is
    particularly  informative:-
    http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov/emwin/user-intro.htm

4.  This satellite is also known as HIMAWARI 6.

5. HiRID and WEFAX was discontinued on 12th March 2008.  It was replaced
    with HRIT/LRIT (after many months of dual dissemination).

6. Only LRIT (1691.0 MHz) is provided in direct readout.
     Full HRIT and LRIT service from Eumetcast.


LAUNCHES.
None expected.

SECTION 4:   EUMETCAST  REPORT  -- 26th March 2012
   =========================================

      Service                 Status            Eurobird 9A Satellite (9° E)

     EARS                        On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     Meteosat 8 (RSS)    On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     Meteosat 9             On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     DWDSAT                 On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     EPS(Metop-A)         On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     Jason                      On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz

CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
Meteosat 8 (RSS) Note added.
Metop and NOAA Global Data Service Note updated.
Data Centre Note updated.

THIS WEEK AND  FUTURE  POSSIBLE  EVENTS.
GENERAL NOTE.
Meteosat Straylight Predictions for Winter/Spring 2012 available on EUMETSAT
Website:
http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/ServiceStatus/index.htm?l=en
(See Section "Operational Schedules").

METEOSAT 8 (RSS).
29 March 2012  12:00 - 12:30 UTC.
Essential Image Processing software upgrade.
Risk of interruption of image data.

IODC.
04 February 2012 - 27 March 2012.
Meteosat-7 Spring 2012 eclipse season.
Slots 38 to 43 may not be available.

METOP AND NOAA GLOBAL DATA SERVICE.
26 March 2012  13:37 UTC  orbit 28199.
ASCAT Gain Compression.
A short outage of all ASCAT products can be expected.

31 March 2012 - 03 April 2012.
ASCAT external calibration.
Short outages of the ASCAT GDS Level 1, soil moisture and global and
regional winds products can be expected.
31 March 2012 07:17 orbit 28266
01 April 2012 18:17 orbit 28287
02 April 2012 08:16 orbit 28295
03 April 2012 19:16 orbit 28316

DATA CENTRE.
26 March 2012  09:00 UTC - 30 March 2012  09:00 UTC.
EUMETSAT Data Centre Archive maintenance, major Archive Software upgrade.
The Hierarchical Storage Management (HSM) software controlling writing and
reading of all Data Sets stored in the Archive will be updated to the next
version.
The substantial down-time is needed to backup all information related to the
HSM controlled file systems before the installation of the software. Once
installed, testing of the HSM software is performed prior to returning the
Data Centre Archive back to its nominal status.
During this time, the Data Centre Archive Catalogue will not be updated and
no orders will be processed. Users will still be able to place orders.

THIRD-PARTY DATA AND PRODUCTS.
10 February 2012 - 27 April 2012.
GOES West Eclipse Season.
08:00 UTC and 09:00 UTC image data may be unavailable or incomplete.

14 February 2012 - 26 April 2012.
MTSAT Eclipse Season.
14:00 UTC and 15:00 UTC image data may be unavailable or incomplete.

24 February 2012 - 15 April 2012.
GOES East Eclipse Season.
05:00 UTC and 06:00 UTC image data may be unavailable or incomplete.


The following EPS GDS products are available on Eumetcast.

EPS-2          PID 510    Metop AMSA          operational
EPS-3          PID 510    Metop ASCAT         operational
EPS-5          PID 510    Metop GOME         operational
EPS-6          PID 510    Metop GRAS           operational
EPS-7          PID 510    Metop HIRS            operational
EPS-8          PID 510    Metop MHS            operational
EPS-9          PID 510    Metop SEM            operational
EPS-10        PID 510    Metop AVHRR        operational
EPS-11        PID 510    Metop IASI              operational
EPS-12        PID 510    Metop HKTM          operational
EPS-13        PID 510    NOAA AMSA           operational
EPS-15        PID 510    NOAA GAC              operational
EPS-16        PID 510    NOAA HIRS             operational
EPS-17        PID 510    NOAA MHS             operational
EPS-18        PID 510    EPS Service News   operational
EPS-19        PID 510    Test service            operational
EPS-Africa  PID 300    EPS Europe/Africa   operational
EPS-Global PID 300    EPS Global data      operational
   (EPS-19 may sometimes be limited to Manufacturers)

NOTES.

1.  Reports for all sections  should be sent to :-
      Douglas Deans.   dsdeans@...

2.  For further information on the Eumetcast service see :-
     David Taylor's web site :  http://www.satsignal.eu
     or  the Eumetsat web site :  www.eumetsat.int

GENERAL
=======
For further weather satellite related information join GEO, Group for Earth
Observation, and receive the informative quarterly magazine.  See :-
http://www.geo-web.org.uk/

To download element sets for all satellites visit the following sites :
http://www.space-track.org     and
http://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/

For those who may have seen a recent improvement in NOAA 16's HRPT images
please find below the relevant extract from NOAA's   'Weekly NOAA
POLAR-Orbiting Spacecraft Status Report' posted 27th March.
I have removed the references to graphs.
May I remind readers that in less than 6 months this satellite will be 12
years old !

Regards,
Douglas.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\
----------------------------

On 17 Mar 2012 (12/077) at 20:56:12 UTC there was a drop in the NOAA-16
AVHRR Motor Current of approximately 10-12 mA from around 235-240 mA to
226-228 mA. Analysis of the Scan Motor's Sync Delta from the
contacts before and after the event  indicate that the motor's
performance improved following the current drop; the max to min range
decreased by 9 counts and standard deviation improved from 7.28 to 6.72.
This behavior has often been seen on other AVHRR instruments and is a sign
of the aging of the motor. Trend data of the motor behavior
shows that the motor had been at an elevated current range beginning around
20 Jan 2012 (12/020). The new level it recently settled back down to is
similar to what it was prior to the increase early this year.

WEATHER SATELLITES
                              ===============
POLAR APT, DIGITAL and GEOSTATIONARY WEEKLY STATUS.
   ==============================================

Author :    Douglas S Deans.
E-mail  :   dsdeans@...
Twitter :   Douglas Deans @GM4VZY

Sections 2 and 4 have updates.

SECTION 1:   POLAR  APT/LRPT  REPORT --  2nd April 2012
   ============================================
     Satellite        Frequency (MHz)      Status        Image Quality

   NOAA 15          137.620  (APT)          on       good. See Note 8.
   NOAA 17          137.500  (APT)          on   No images. See Notes 7&8.
   NOAA 18          137.9125 (APT)         on              good
   NOAA 19          137.100  (APT)          on       good but see Note 6
   Metop-A           137.100 (LRPT)         off          see Note 3
   Meteor M N1   137.100 (LRPT)      sporadic    see Note 6

CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
None.

THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
None expected.

NOTES.

1. Three of the older NOAA weather satellites which have been
     decommissioned and are tumbling freely are known to sporadically put out
     a carrier on 137.500 MHz.  The satellites are TIROS-N, NOAA 6 and NOAA 9
     When the relevant footprints overlap this will cause interference to
     NOAA 17 when active on this frequency.
               --- 20th May 2011 update for NOAA 9. ---
     Sadly although no signals had been heard from NOAA 9 since October 2010,
     I have received 2 reports from Mike Piper and Mike Kenny confirming that
     NOAA 9 is back. Of course the only other APT satellite on 137.500 MHz
     is NOAA 17 with its stalled scan motor so the interference is not a
     problem.   My thanks to Mike and Mike for the reports.

2. NOAA 16's APT transmission system failed a few months after launch.

3. Metop-A's A-side LRPT transmitter has failed.  Currently the redundant
    B-side transmitter is off until further notice (No further service
    expected due to interference with HIRS instrument).

4. NOAA 14 was decommissioned on 23rd May 2007.

5. NOAA 12 was decommissioned on 10th August 2007.

6. Signals have been reported from Meteor M N1 but they are
     sporadic with periods off.  Although classed as LRPT it does not
     conform to the CGMS standard.
     During in-fill carrier phase this satellite can cause interference to
     NOAA 19 when footprints overlap.

7. NOAA 17 has scan motor problems with rising motor currents.
     Constant rephase by the MIRP was causing data dropouts on all the HRPT
     stream and APT and GAC derivatives.
     Auto re-phase has now been disabled and the resulting AVHRR products are
     almost all unusable.  Daily MIRP rephasing via the Stored Command Table
     began on 18 May 2010 (10/138) - at the first pass over the South Pole
     each day.
     Update 29/09/10 :-  Further deterioration in scan motor performance with
     no useable data from the AVHRR instrument. Scan motor has stalled.

8. As of 12th October 2010 at 15.00 UTC the following APT frequencies
     applied :-
     NOAA 17    137.500 MHz.
     NOAA 15    137.620 MHz.

9. Elements are available from :-
     http://www.space-track.org    and
     http://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/

LAUNCHES.
Metop-B launch expected May 23rd 2012.


SECTION 2:   POLAR  HRPT/AHRPT  REPORT -- 2nd April 2012
    ==============================================
CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
Note 3 (NOAA 16) updated.

THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
None expected.

Satellite        Frequency   Antenna     Mode          Image Quality
                          (MHz)
NOAA 15         1702.5       Omni         HRPT               Weak
NOAA 16         1698.0       RHCP         HRPT         Good ( note 3)
NOAA 17         1698.0       RHCP         HRPT     No images. See note 7.
NOAA 18         1707.0       RHCP         HRPT              Good
NOAA 19         1698.0       RHCP         HRPT              Good
Feng Yun 1D   1700.4       RHCP         CHRPT     Good (see Note 9.)
Feng Yun 3A    1704.5          see note 5.
Feng Yun 3B    1704.5          see note 5.
Metop-A          1701.3       RHCP         AHRPT        Good (note 4)
Meteor M N1   1700    See note 6.
NPP   see Note 8.

NOTES.

1.  NOAA 14 was decommissioned on 23rd June 2007.

2.  NOAA 12 was decommissioned on 10th August 2007.

3. On Friday 19th September 2003 NOAA 16 developed AVHRR synch. problems
     similar  to those on NOAA 14 (and previously NOAA 15).
     Since then reports have been mixed.  Some periods of good data, some
     poor.
     Update 31st March 2012 :-  After a short period of poorer images,
     with signs of judder, there have been improvements in the scan motor
     performance.  Please see :-
   http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/weather-satellite-reports/message/2649

4. On 25 May 2009, Eumetsat extended the coverage of the Advanced High
     Resolution Picture Transmission (AHRPT) system on Eumetsat's Metop-A
     polar-orbiting satellite. The improved service provides additional
     coverage over the Gulf of Mexico and Indian Ocean regions.
     For more information, please see:
     http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/Media/Features/710601

5. Feng Yun 3A was declared operational on 12th January 2009.
    I am also grateful to Dave Wright of Dartcom for confirming that
    unfortunately (as usual) the Chinese have not strictly complied with the
    CGMS AHRPT Global Standard so reception using a standard Metop AHRPT
    receiver is not possible.
    Update:  The second in the series, Feng Yun 3B was launched on
    4th November 2010. I expect the information above for 3A will
    equally apply to 3B.
    My thanks to Johnny Lin for drawing this to my attention.

6. It appears that Meteor M N1 is neither using full HRPT or AHRPT and
     cannot be received using current receivers.  Please see other WSR mails
     for further explanation :-
     http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/weather-satellite-reports/message/2098.
     Continual sporadic problems with transmission.

7.  NOAA 17 has scan motor problems with rising motor currents.
     Constant rephase by the MIRP was causing data dropouts on all the HRPT
     stream and APT and GAC derivatives.
     Auto re-phase has now been disabled and the resulting AVHRR products are
     almost all unusable.
    Daily MIRP rephasing via the Stored Command Table began on 18 May 2010
    (10/138) - at the first pass over the South Pole each day.
    Update 29/09/10 :-  Further deterioration in scan motor performance with
    no useable data from the AVHRR instrument. Scan motor has stalled.

8. As this weather satellite has no S-band transmitter, it is included for
     information only.

9. Update 5th January 2012 :-  I am grateful to Bill Ulrich from Baltimore
     for reporting good reception from FY-1D with his 1 metre dish.

LAUNCHES.
Metop-B launch expected May 23rd 2012.


SECTION 3:   GEOSTATIONARY REPORT -- 2nd April 2012
   ===========================================
CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
None.

THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
None expected.

Europe & Africa
------------------
Satellite :        Meteosat 8 (9.5°E)
Data :             HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :  Yes, RSS and Standby for Meteosat 9.

Satellite :        Meteosat 9 (0°) (note 6).
Data :             HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :   Yes.

North America
----------------
East.

Satellite :        GOES 13 (75° W).
Data:              GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
                        LRIT (digital) -  1691 MHz
Operational:   Yes.

West.

Satellite :         GOES 15 (135°W approx).
Data :              GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
                         LRIT (digital) - 1691 MHz
Operational :   Yes.

Satellite :         GOES 14 (105°W)
Data :               In storage.

South America
----------------
Satellite :        GOES 12 (60°W)
Data :             GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
Operational :  Yes on South American project.

Asia   (Russian Operated Satellite)
--------------------------------------

Satellite :         ELECTRO-L (76° E)
Data :              HRIT/LRIT.
Operational :   Yes.

Asia  (European Operated Satellites)
----------------------------------------
Satellite :      Meteosat 7 (57.5°E)
                      HRI (digital) - 1691 MHz
                      Wefax (analogue) occasionally for ranging purposes
                      only.
Operational :  Yes.

Asia  (Indian Operated Satellite)
--------------------------------
Satellite :         Metsat
Data :              None available.
Operational :   Yes.

Satellite :         Insat 3A  (Note 2.)
Data :              VHRR (digital) 2599 MHz
Operational :   Yes.

Asia (Korean Operated Satellite)
-----------------------------------
Satellite :        COMS (128.2° E)
Data :             HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :  Yes.

Asia & Oceania  (Japanese Operated Satellites)
------------------------------------------------
Satellite :       MTSAT-1R (140° E) (note 4.)
Data :            HRIT (digital) - 1687.1 MHz.
                       LRIT(digital)   - 1691 MHz.
                       (Note 5.)
Operational : yes

Satellite :        MTSAT-2 (145º E).
Data :             HRIT (digital) - 1687.1 MHz
                        LRIT(digital)   - 1691 MHz.
Operational :  Yes


Asia & Oceania  (Chinese Operated Satellites)
----------------------------------------------------
Satellite :          Feng Yun 2D (86.5°E).
Data :               SVISSR (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :   Yes.

Satellite:          Feng Yun 2E (104° E).
Data :              SVISSR (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :   Yes.

NOTES.

1.  Meteosat 7 stopped its 0° service at 09.00 UTC on 14th June 2006.

2. Insat 3A is a combined data and meteorological satellite.

3. For those interested in EMWIN data, the following sats/frequencies apply.

     GOES 15   (135 W)  1692.700 MHz
     GOES 13   (75 W)    1692.700 MHz
    For further info. there are many sources but the following is
    particularly  informative:-
    http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov/emwin/user-intro.htm

4.  This satellite is also known as HIMAWARI 6.

5. HiRID and WEFAX was discontinued on 12th March 2008.  It was replaced
    with HRIT/LRIT (after many months of dual dissemination).

6. Only LRIT (1691.0 MHz) is provided in direct readout.
     Full HRIT and LRIT service from Eumetcast.


LAUNCHES.
None expected.

SECTION 4:   EUMETCAST  REPORT  -- 2nd April 2012
   ========================================

      Service                 Status            Eurobird 9A Satellite (9° E)

     EARS                        On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     Meteosat 8 (RSS)    On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     Meteosat 9             On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     DWDSAT                 On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     EPS(Metop-A)         On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     Jason                      On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz

CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
General Note updated.
Meteosat 8 (RSS) Note updated.
Metop and NOAA Global Data Service Note updated.
Future Events Note added.

THIS WEEK AND  FUTURE  POSSIBLE  EVENTS.
GENERAL NOTE.
02 April 2012  08:00 - 12:00 UTC.
Essential EUMETCast Maintenance.
At 08:00 UTC and 12:00 UTC short interruptions and delay of data reception
up to 5 min. No losses expected.

Meteosat Straylight Predictions for Winter/Spring 2012 available on EUMETSAT
Website:
http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/ServiceStatus/index.htm?l=en
(See Section "Operational Schedules").

METEOSAT 8 (RSS).
02 April 2012  09:00 UTC - 05 April 2012  09:00 UTC.
Monthly RSS interruption.
Rapid Scanning Service will be suspended for scheduled Full Earth Scanning
and Ground Segment Maintenance.
Full Earth Images, if any, will not be disseminated. Upon resuming the Rapid
Scanning Service, most meteorological products may take up to 30 minutes to
resume.
Note, the Multi-Sensor Precipitation Estimate (MPE) may take up to 18 hours
to fully resume.
Please note that the Rapid Scanning Service interruption has been extended
by one day. This is reflected in the dates and times provided above.

METOP AND NOAA GLOBAL DATA SERVICE.
02 April 2012 - 03 April 2012.
ASCAT external calibration.
Short outages of the ASCAT GDS Level 1, soil moisture and global and
regional winds products can be expected.
02 April 2012 08:16 UTC orbit 28295
03 April 2012 19:16 UTC orbit 28316

08 April 2012 05:10 - 09:10 UTC.
IASI External Calibration.
Outage to IASI GDS Level 1C atmospheric temperature and water vapour, cloud
parameters, ozone and trace gases, and emissivity products.

THIRD-PARTY DATA AND PRODUCTS.
10 February 2012 - 27 April 2012.
GOES West Eclipse Season.
08:00 UTC and 09:00 UTC image data may be unavailable or incomplete.

14 February 2012 - 26 April 2012.
MTSAT Eclipse Season.
14:00 UTC and 15:00 UTC image data may be unavailable or incomplete.

24 February 2012 - 15 April 2012.
GOES East Eclipse Season.
05:00 UTC and 06:00 UTC image data may be unavailable or incomplete.

FUTURE EVENTS.
General Note.
11 April 2012.
All EUMETCast Daily Logs will be changed to ensure compatibility with the
file naming change of BUFR-formatted EPS global products to the WMO file
format. The record format shall change from CSV (comma-separated values) to
DSV (delimiter-separated values) with ?|? selected as the delimiter. For
full details, please see the updated EUMETCast Daily Log User Guide:
http://www.eumetsat.int/idcplg?IdcService=GET_FILE&dDocName=pdf_eumetcast_daily_\
log_ug&RevisionSelectionMethod=LatestReleased


The following EPS GDS products are available on Eumetcast.

EPS-2          PID 510    Metop AMSA          operational
EPS-3          PID 510    Metop ASCAT         operational
EPS-5          PID 510    Metop GOME         operational
EPS-6          PID 510    Metop GRAS           operational
EPS-7          PID 510    Metop HIRS            operational
EPS-8          PID 510    Metop MHS            operational
EPS-9          PID 510    Metop SEM            operational
EPS-10        PID 510    Metop AVHRR        operational
EPS-11        PID 510    Metop IASI              operational
EPS-12        PID 510    Metop HKTM          operational
EPS-13        PID 510    NOAA AMSA           operational
EPS-15        PID 510    NOAA GAC              operational
EPS-16        PID 510    NOAA HIRS             operational
EPS-17        PID 510    NOAA MHS             operational
EPS-18        PID 510    EPS Service News   operational
EPS-19        PID 510    Test service            operational
EPS-Africa  PID 300    EPS Europe/Africa   operational
EPS-Global PID 300    EPS Global data      operational
   (EPS-19 may sometimes be limited to Manufacturers)

NOTES.

1.  Reports for all sections  should be sent to :-
      Douglas Deans.   dsdeans@...

2.  For further information on the Eumetcast service see :-
     David Taylor's web site :  http://www.satsignal.eu
     or  the Eumetsat web site :  www.eumetsat.int

GENERAL
=======
For further weather satellite related information join GEO, Group for Earth
Observation, and receive the informative quarterly magazine.  See :-
http://www.geo-web.org.uk/

To download element sets for all satellites visit the following sites :
http://www.space-track.org     and
http://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/

WEATHER SATELLITES
                              ===============
POLAR APT, DIGITAL and GEOSTATIONARY WEEKLY STATUS.
   ==============================================

Author :    Douglas S Deans.
E-mail  :   dsdeans@...
Twitter :   Douglas Deans @GM4VZY

Section 4 has updates.

SECTION 1:   POLAR  APT/LRPT  REPORT --  9th April 2012
   ============================================
     Satellite        Frequency (MHz)      Status        Image Quality

   NOAA 15          137.620  (APT)          on       good. See Note 8.
   NOAA 17          137.500  (APT)          on   No images. See Notes 7&8.
   NOAA 18          137.9125 (APT)         on              good
   NOAA 19          137.100  (APT)          on       good but see Note 6
   Metop-A           137.100 (LRPT)         off          see Note 3
   Meteor M N1   137.100 (LRPT)      sporadic    see Note 6

CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
None.

THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
None expected.

NOTES.

1. Three of the older NOAA weather satellites which have been
     decommissioned and are tumbling freely are known to sporadically put out
     a carrier on 137.500 MHz.  The satellites are TIROS-N, NOAA 6 and NOAA 9
     When the relevant footprints overlap this will cause interference to
     NOAA 17 when active on this frequency.
               --- 20th May 2011 update for NOAA 9. ---
     Sadly although no signals had been heard from NOAA 9 since October 2010,
     I have received 2 reports from Mike Piper and Mike Kenny confirming that
     NOAA 9 is back. Of course the only other APT satellite on 137.500 MHz
     is NOAA 17 with its stalled scan motor so the interference is not a
     problem.   My thanks to Mike and Mike for the reports.

2. NOAA 16's APT transmission system failed a few months after launch.

3. Metop-A's A-side LRPT transmitter has failed.  Currently the redundant
    B-side transmitter is off until further notice (No further service
    expected due to interference with HIRS instrument).

4. NOAA 14 was decommissioned on 23rd May 2007.

5. NOAA 12 was decommissioned on 10th August 2007.

6. Signals have been reported from Meteor M N1 but they are
     sporadic with periods off.  Although classed as LRPT it does not
     conform to the CGMS standard.
     During in-fill carrier phase this satellite can cause interference to
     NOAA 19 when footprints overlap.

7. NOAA 17 has scan motor problems with rising motor currents.
     Constant rephase by the MIRP was causing data dropouts on all the HRPT
     stream and APT and GAC derivatives.
     Auto re-phase has now been disabled and the resulting AVHRR products are
     almost all unusable.  Daily MIRP rephasing via the Stored Command Table
     began on 18 May 2010 (10/138) - at the first pass over the South Pole
     each day.
     Update 29/09/10 :-  Further deterioration in scan motor performance with
     no useable data from the AVHRR instrument. Scan motor has stalled.

8. As of 12th October 2010 at 15.00 UTC the following APT frequencies
     applied :-
     NOAA 17    137.500 MHz.
     NOAA 15    137.620 MHz.

9. Elements are available from :-
     http://www.space-track.org    and
     http://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/

LAUNCHES.
Metop-B launch expected May 23rd 2012.


SECTION 2:   POLAR  HRPT/AHRPT  REPORT -- 9th April 2012
    ==============================================
CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
None.

THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
None expected.

Satellite        Frequency   Antenna     Mode          Image Quality
                          (MHz)
NOAA 15         1702.5       Omni         HRPT               Weak
NOAA 16         1698.0       RHCP         HRPT         Good ( note 3)
NOAA 17         1698.0       RHCP         HRPT     No images. See note 7.
NOAA 18         1707.0       RHCP         HRPT              Good
NOAA 19         1698.0       RHCP         HRPT              Good
Feng Yun 1D   1700.4       RHCP         CHRPT     Good (see Note 9.)
Feng Yun 3A    1704.5          see note 5.
Feng Yun 3B    1704.5          see note 5.
Metop-A          1701.3       RHCP         AHRPT        Good (note 4)
Meteor M N1   1700    See note 6.
NPP   see Note 8.

NOTES.

1.  NOAA 14 was decommissioned on 23rd June 2007.

2.  NOAA 12 was decommissioned on 10th August 2007.

3. On Friday 19th September 2003 NOAA 16 developed AVHRR synch. problems
     similar  to those on NOAA 14 (and previously NOAA 15).
     Since then reports have been mixed.  Some periods of good data, some
     poor.
     Update 31st March 2012 :-  After a short period of poorer images,
     with signs of judder, there have been improvements in the scan motor
     performance.  Please see :-
   http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/weather-satellite-reports/message/2649

4. On 25 May 2009, Eumetsat extended the coverage of the Advanced High
     Resolution Picture Transmission (AHRPT) system on Eumetsat's Metop-A
     polar-orbiting satellite. The improved service provides additional
     coverage over the Gulf of Mexico and Indian Ocean regions.
     For more information, please see:
     http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/Media/Features/710601

5. Feng Yun 3A was declared operational on 12th January 2009.
    I am also grateful to Dave Wright of Dartcom for confirming that
    unfortunately (as usual) the Chinese have not strictly complied with the
    CGMS AHRPT Global Standard so reception using a standard Metop AHRPT
    receiver is not possible.
    Update:  The second in the series, Feng Yun 3B was launched on
    4th November 2010. I expect the information above for 3A will
    equally apply to 3B.
    My thanks to Johnny Lin for drawing this to my attention.

6. It appears that Meteor M N1 is neither using full HRPT or AHRPT and
     cannot be received using current receivers.  Please see other WSR mails
     for further explanation :-
     http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/weather-satellite-reports/message/2098.
     Continual sporadic problems with transmission.

7.  NOAA 17 has scan motor problems with rising motor currents.
     Constant rephase by the MIRP was causing data dropouts on all the HRPT
     stream and APT and GAC derivatives.
     Auto re-phase has now been disabled and the resulting AVHRR products are
     almost all unusable.
    Daily MIRP rephasing via the Stored Command Table began on 18 May 2010
    (10/138) - at the first pass over the South Pole each day.
    Update 29/09/10 :-  Further deterioration in scan motor performance with
    no useable data from the AVHRR instrument. Scan motor has stalled.

8. As this weather satellite has no S-band transmitter, it is included for
     information only.

9. Update 5th January 2012 :-  I am grateful to Bill Ulrich from Baltimore
     for reporting good reception from FY-1D with his 1 metre dish.

LAUNCHES.
Metop-B launch expected May 23rd 2012.


SECTION 3:   GEOSTATIONARY REPORT -- 9th April 2012
   ===========================================
CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
None.

THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
None expected.

Europe & Africa
------------------
Satellite :        Meteosat 8 (9.5°E)
Data :             HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :  Yes, RSS and Standby for Meteosat 9.

Satellite :        Meteosat 9 (0°) (note 6).
Data :             HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :   Yes.

North America
----------------
East.

Satellite :        GOES 13 (75° W).
Data:              GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
                        LRIT (digital) -  1691 MHz
Operational:   Yes.

West.

Satellite :         GOES 15 (135°W approx).
Data :              GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
                         LRIT (digital) - 1691 MHz
Operational :   Yes.

Satellite :         GOES 14 (105°W)
Data :               In storage.

South America
----------------
Satellite :        GOES 12 (60°W)
Data :             GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
Operational :  Yes on South American project.

Asia   (Russian Operated Satellite)
--------------------------------------

Satellite :         ELECTRO-L (76° E)
Data :              HRIT/LRIT.
Operational :   Yes.

Asia  (European Operated Satellites)
----------------------------------------
Satellite :      Meteosat 7 (57.5°E)
                      HRI (digital) - 1691 MHz
                      Wefax (analogue) occasionally for ranging purposes
                      only.
Operational :  Yes.

Asia  (Indian Operated Satellite)
--------------------------------
Satellite :         Metsat
Data :              None available.
Operational :   Yes.

Satellite :         Insat 3A  (Note 2.)
Data :              VHRR (digital) 2599 MHz
Operational :   Yes.

Asia (Korean Operated Satellite)
-----------------------------------
Satellite :        COMS (128.2° E)
Data :             HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :  Yes.

Asia & Oceania  (Japanese Operated Satellites)
------------------------------------------------
Satellite :       MTSAT-1R (140° E) (note 4.)
Data :            HRIT (digital) - 1687.1 MHz.
                       LRIT(digital)   - 1691 MHz.
                       (Note 5.)
Operational : yes

Satellite :        MTSAT-2 (145º E).
Data :             HRIT (digital) - 1687.1 MHz
                        LRIT(digital)   - 1691 MHz.
Operational :  Yes


Asia & Oceania  (Chinese Operated Satellites)
----------------------------------------------------
Satellite :          Feng Yun 2D (86.5°E).
Data :               SVISSR (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :   Yes.

Satellite:          Feng Yun 2E (104° E).
Data :              SVISSR (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :   Yes.

NOTES.

1.  Meteosat 7 stopped its 0° service at 09.00 UTC on 14th June 2006.

2. Insat 3A is a combined data and meteorological satellite.

3. For those interested in EMWIN data, the following sats/frequencies apply.

     GOES 15   (135 W)  1692.700 MHz
     GOES 13   (75 W)    1692.700 MHz
    For further info. there are many sources but the following is
    particularly  informative:-
    http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov/emwin/user-intro.htm

4.  This satellite is also known as HIMAWARI 6.

5. HiRID and WEFAX was discontinued on 12th March 2008.  It was replaced
    with HRIT/LRIT (after many months of dual dissemination).

6. Only LRIT (1691.0 MHz) is provided in direct readout.
     Full HRIT and LRIT service from Eumetcast.


LAUNCHES.
None expected.

SECTION 4:   EUMETCAST  REPORT  -- 9th April 2012
   ========================================

      Service                 Status            Eurobird 9A Satellite (9° E)

     EARS                        On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     Meteosat 8 (RSS)    On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     Meteosat 9             On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     DWDSAT                 On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     EPS(Metop-A)         On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     Jason                      On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz

CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
General Note updated.
Meteosat 9 Note added.
Metop and NOAA Global Data Service Note updated.
SAF Products Note added.
Future Events Note updated.

THIS WEEK AND  FUTURE  POSSIBLE  EVENTS.
GENERAL NOTE.
10 April 2012  08:00 - 12:00 UTC.
Essential EUMETCast Maintenance.
At 08:00 UTC and 12:00 UTC short interruptions and delay of data reception
up to 5 min. No losses expected.

11 April 2012.
All EUMETCast Daily Logs will be changed to ensure compatibility with the
file naming change of BUFR-formatted EPS global products to the WMO file
format. The record format shall change from CSV (comma-separated values) to
DSV (delimiter-separated values) with ?|? selected as the delimiter. For
full details, please see the updated EUMETCast Daily Log User Guide:
http://www.eumetsat.int/idcplg?IdcService=GET_FILE&dDocName=pdf_eumetcast_daily_\
log_ug&RevisionSelectionMethod=LatestReleased

Meteosat Straylight Predictions for Winter/Spring 2012 available on EUMETSAT
Website:
http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/ServiceStatus/index.htm?l=en
(See Section "Operational Schedules")

METEOSAT 9.
11 April 2012  12:00 - 12:30 UTC.
Essential Image Processing software upgrade.
Risk of interruption of image data.

METOP AND NOAA GLOBAL DATA SERVICE.
14 April 2012  18:55 - 19:45 UTC Orbit 28472.
GOME2 monthly measurements of GOME-2 polarisation (PMD) data in raw readout
mode (PMDRAW).
Near real-time products from O3M SAF (L2 NTO) will be affected (see SAF
PRODUCTS below).

SAF PRODUCTS.
14 April 2012  18:55 - 19:45 UTC Orbit 28472.
GOME2 operations (see above), O3M SAF Near Real Time Total Column products
(Total Column Ozone, the Total Column NO2, and the Tropospheric NO2) will be
unavailable.

THIRD-PARTY DATA AND PRODUCTS.
10 February 2012 - 27 April 2012.
GOES West Eclipse Season.
08:00 UTC and 09:00 UTC image data may be unavailable or incomplete.

14 February 2012 - 26 April 2012.
MTSAT Eclipse Season.
14:00 UTC and 15:00 UTC image data may be unavailable or incomplete.

24 February 2012 - 15 April 2012.
GOES East Eclipse Season.
05:00 UTC and 06:00 UTC image data may be unavailable or incomplete.

FUTURE EVENTS.
Metop and NOAA Global and Regional Data Service.
25 April 2012.
Metop-A In-plane manoeuvre.
SEM data will be unavailable.
GOME data and products will be unavailable.
A temporary degradation of the quality of GRAS Level 1 products is to be
expected starting at the time of the manoeuvre.
All AMSU-A, ASCAT, ATOVS, AVHRR, HIRS, IASI and MHS products may have
temporarily degraded quality geo-location data after the time of the
manoeuvre.
Exact outage times to be announced closer to the day of the manoeuvre.


The following EPS GDS products are available on Eumetcast.

EPS-2          PID 510    Metop AMSA          operational
EPS-3          PID 510    Metop ASCAT         operational
EPS-5          PID 510    Metop GOME         operational
EPS-6          PID 510    Metop GRAS           operational
EPS-7          PID 510    Metop HIRS            operational
EPS-8          PID 510    Metop MHS            operational
EPS-9          PID 510    Metop SEM            operational
EPS-10        PID 510    Metop AVHRR        operational
EPS-11        PID 510    Metop IASI              operational
EPS-12        PID 510    Metop HKTM          operational
EPS-13        PID 510    NOAA AMSA           operational
EPS-15        PID 510    NOAA GAC              operational
EPS-16        PID 510    NOAA HIRS             operational
EPS-17        PID 510    NOAA MHS             operational
EPS-18        PID 510    EPS Service News   operational
EPS-19        PID 510    Test service            operational
EPS-Africa  PID 300    EPS Europe/Africa   operational
EPS-Global PID 300    EPS Global data      operational
   (EPS-19 may sometimes be limited to Manufacturers)

NOTES.

1.  Reports for all sections  should be sent to :-
      Douglas Deans.   dsdeans@...

2.  For further information on the Eumetcast service see :-
     David Taylor's web site :  http://www.satsignal.eu
     or  the Eumetsat web site :  www.eumetsat.int

GENERAL
=======
For further weather satellite related information join GEO, Group for Earth
Observation, and receive the informative quarterly magazine.  See :-
http://www.geo-web.org.uk/

To download element sets for all satellites visit the following sites :
http://www.space-track.org     and
http://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/

WEATHER SATELLITES
                              ===============
POLAR APT, DIGITAL and GEOSTATIONARY WEEKLY STATUS.
   ==============================================

Author :    Douglas S Deans.
E-mail  :   dsdeans@...
Twitter :   Douglas Deans @GM4VZY

Section 4 has updates.

SECTION 1:   POLAR  APT/LRPT  REPORT --  16th April 2012
   =============================================
     Satellite        Frequency (MHz)      Status        Image Quality

   NOAA 15          137.620  (APT)          on       good. See Note 8.
   NOAA 17          137.500  (APT)          on   No images. See Notes 7&8.
   NOAA 18          137.9125 (APT)         on              good
   NOAA 19          137.100  (APT)          on       good but see Note 6
   Metop-A           137.100 (LRPT)         off          see Note 3
   Meteor M N1   137.100 (LRPT)      sporadic    see Note 6

CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
None.

THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
None expected.

NOTES.

1. Three of the older NOAA weather satellites which have been
     decommissioned and are tumbling freely are known to sporadically put out
     a carrier on 137.500 MHz.  The satellites are TIROS-N, NOAA 6 and NOAA 9
     When the relevant footprints overlap this will cause interference to
     NOAA 17 when active on this frequency.
               --- 20th May 2011 update for NOAA 9. ---
     Sadly although no signals had been heard from NOAA 9 since October 2010,
     I have received 2 reports from Mike Piper and Mike Kenny confirming that
     NOAA 9 is back. Of course the only other APT satellite on 137.500 MHz
     is NOAA 17 with its stalled scan motor so the interference is not a
     problem.   My thanks to Mike and Mike for the reports.

2. NOAA 16's APT transmission system failed a few months after launch.

3. Metop-A's A-side LRPT transmitter has failed.  Currently the redundant
    B-side transmitter is off until further notice (No further service
    expected due to interference with HIRS instrument).

4. NOAA 14 was decommissioned on 23rd May 2007.

5. NOAA 12 was decommissioned on 10th August 2007.

6. Signals have been reported from Meteor M N1 but they are
     sporadic with periods off.  Although classed as LRPT it does not
     conform to the CGMS standard.
     During in-fill carrier phase this satellite can cause interference to
     NOAA 19 when footprints overlap.

7. NOAA 17 has scan motor problems with rising motor currents.
     Constant rephase by the MIRP was causing data dropouts on all the HRPT
     stream and APT and GAC derivatives.
     Auto re-phase has now been disabled and the resulting AVHRR products are
     almost all unusable.  Daily MIRP rephasing via the Stored Command Table
     began on 18 May 2010 (10/138) - at the first pass over the South Pole
     each day.
     Update 29/09/10 :-  Further deterioration in scan motor performance with
     no useable data from the AVHRR instrument. Scan motor has stalled.

8. As of 12th October 2010 at 15.00 UTC the following APT frequencies
     applied :-
     NOAA 17    137.500 MHz.
     NOAA 15    137.620 MHz.

9. Elements are available from :-
     http://www.space-track.org    and
     http://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/

LAUNCHES.
Metop-B launch expected May 23rd 2012.


SECTION 2:   POLAR  HRPT/AHRPT  REPORT -- 16th April 2012
    ==============================================
CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
None.

THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
None expected.

Satellite        Frequency   Antenna     Mode          Image Quality
                          (MHz)
NOAA 15         1702.5       Omni         HRPT               Weak
NOAA 16         1698.0       RHCP         HRPT         Good ( note 3)
NOAA 17         1698.0       RHCP         HRPT     No images. See note 7.
NOAA 18         1707.0       RHCP         HRPT              Good
NOAA 19         1698.0       RHCP         HRPT              Good
Feng Yun 1D   1700.4       RHCP         CHRPT     Good (see Note 9.)
Feng Yun 3A    1704.5          see note 5.
Feng Yun 3B    1704.5          see note 5.
Metop-A          1701.3       RHCP         AHRPT        Good (note 4)
Meteor M N1   1700    See note 6.
NPP   see Note 8.

NOTES.

1.  NOAA 14 was decommissioned on 23rd June 2007.

2.  NOAA 12 was decommissioned on 10th August 2007.

3. On Friday 19th September 2003 NOAA 16 developed AVHRR synch. problems
     similar  to those on NOAA 14 (and previously NOAA 15).
     Since then reports have been mixed.  Some periods of good data, some
     poor.
     Update 31st March 2012 :-  After a short period of poorer images,
     with signs of judder, there have been improvements in the scan motor
     performance.  Please see :-
   http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/weather-satellite-reports/message/2649

4. On 25 May 2009, Eumetsat extended the coverage of the Advanced High
     Resolution Picture Transmission (AHRPT) system on Eumetsat's Metop-A
     polar-orbiting satellite. The improved service provides additional
     coverage over the Gulf of Mexico and Indian Ocean regions.
     For more information, please see:
     http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/Media/Features/710601

5. Feng Yun 3A was declared operational on 12th January 2009.
    I am also grateful to Dave Wright of Dartcom for confirming that
    unfortunately (as usual) the Chinese have not strictly complied with the
    CGMS AHRPT Global Standard so reception using a standard Metop AHRPT
    receiver is not possible.
    Update:  The second in the series, Feng Yun 3B was launched on
    4th November 2010. I expect the information above for 3A will
    equally apply to 3B.
    My thanks to Johnny Lin for drawing this to my attention.

6. It appears that Meteor M N1 is neither using full HRPT or AHRPT and
     cannot be received using current receivers.  Please see other WSR mails
     for further explanation :-
     http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/weather-satellite-reports/message/2098.
     Continual sporadic problems with transmission.

7.  NOAA 17 has scan motor problems with rising motor currents.
     Constant rephase by the MIRP was causing data dropouts on all the HRPT
     stream and APT and GAC derivatives.
     Auto re-phase has now been disabled and the resulting AVHRR products are
     almost all unusable.
    Daily MIRP rephasing via the Stored Command Table began on 18 May 2010
    (10/138) - at the first pass over the South Pole each day.
    Update 29/09/10 :-  Further deterioration in scan motor performance with
    no useable data from the AVHRR instrument. Scan motor has stalled.

8. As this weather satellite has no S-band transmitter, it is included for
     information only.

9. Update 5th January 2012 :-  I am grateful to Bill Ulrich from Baltimore
     for reporting good reception from FY-1D with his 1 metre dish.

LAUNCHES.
Metop-B launch expected May 23rd 2012.


SECTION 3:   GEOSTATIONARY REPORT -- 16th April 2012
   ===========================================
CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
None.

THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
None expected.

Europe & Africa
------------------
Satellite :        Meteosat 8 (9.5°E)
Data :             HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :  Yes, RSS and Standby for Meteosat 9.

Satellite :        Meteosat 9 (0°) (note 6).
Data :             HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :   Yes.

North America
----------------
East.

Satellite :        GOES 13 (75° W).
Data:              GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
                        LRIT (digital) -  1691 MHz
Operational:   Yes.

West.

Satellite :         GOES 15 (135°W approx).
Data :              GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
                         LRIT (digital) - 1691 MHz
Operational :   Yes.

Satellite :         GOES 14 (105°W)
Data :               In storage.

South America
----------------
Satellite :        GOES 12 (60°W)
Data :             GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
Operational :  Yes on South American project.

Asia   (Russian Operated Satellite)
--------------------------------------

Satellite :         ELECTRO-L (76° E)
Data :              HRIT/LRIT.
Operational :   Yes.

Asia  (European Operated Satellites)
----------------------------------------
Satellite :      Meteosat 7 (57.5°E)
                      HRI (digital) - 1691 MHz
                      Wefax (analogue) occasionally for ranging purposes
                      only.
Operational :  Yes.

Asia  (Indian Operated Satellite)
--------------------------------
Satellite :         Metsat
Data :              None available.
Operational :   Yes.

Satellite :         Insat 3A  (Note 2.)
Data :              VHRR (digital) 2599 MHz
Operational :   Yes.

Asia (Korean Operated Satellite)
-----------------------------------
Satellite :        COMS (128.2° E)
Data :             HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :  Yes.

Asia & Oceania  (Japanese Operated Satellites)
------------------------------------------------
Satellite :       MTSAT-1R (140° E) (note 4.)
Data :            HRIT (digital) - 1687.1 MHz.
                       LRIT(digital)   - 1691 MHz.
                       (Note 5.)
Operational : yes

Satellite :        MTSAT-2 (145º E).
Data :             HRIT (digital) - 1687.1 MHz
                        LRIT(digital)   - 1691 MHz.
Operational :  Yes


Asia & Oceania  (Chinese Operated Satellites)
----------------------------------------------------
Satellite :          Feng Yun 2D (86.5°E).
Data :               SVISSR (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :   Yes.

Satellite:          Feng Yun 2E (104° E).
Data :              SVISSR (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :   Yes.

NOTES.

1.  Meteosat 7 stopped its 0° service at 09.00 UTC on 14th June 2006.

2. Insat 3A is a combined data and meteorological satellite.

3. For those interested in EMWIN data, the following sats/frequencies apply.

     GOES 15   (135 W)  1692.700 MHz
     GOES 13   (75 W)    1692.700 MHz
    For further info. there are many sources but the following is
    particularly  informative:-
    http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov/emwin/user-intro.htm

4.  This satellite is also known as HIMAWARI 6.

5. HiRID and WEFAX was discontinued on 12th March 2008.  It was replaced
    with HRIT/LRIT (after many months of dual dissemination).

6. Only LRIT (1691.0 MHz) is provided in direct readout.
     Full HRIT and LRIT service from Eumetcast.


LAUNCHES.
None expected.

SECTION 4:   EUMETCAST  REPORT  -- 16th April 2012
   ========================================

      Service                 Status            Eurobird 9A Satellite (9° E)

     EARS                        On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     Meteosat 8 (RSS)    On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     Meteosat 9             On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     DWDSAT                 On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     EPS(Metop-A)         On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     Jason                      On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz

CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
Meteosat 8 (RSS) Note added.
Data Centre Note added.
Future Events Note updated.

THIS WEEK AND  FUTURE  POSSIBLE  EVENTS.
GENERAL NOTE.
Meteosat Straylight Predictions for Winter/Spring 2012 available on EUMETSAT
Website:
http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/ServiceStatus/index.htm?l=en
(See Section "Operational Schedules")

METEOSAT 8 (RSS).
17 April 2012  12:00 - 12:30 UTC.
Essential Image Processing software upgrade.
Risk of interruption of image data.

THIRD-PARTY DATA AND PRODUCTS.
10 February 2012 - 27 April 2012.
GOES West Eclipse Season.
08:00 UTC and 09:00 UTC image data may be unavailable or incomplete.

14 February 2012 - 26 April 2012.
MTSAT Eclipse Season.
14:00 UTC and 15:00 UTC image data may be unavailable or incomplete.

DATA CENTRE.
19 April 2012 08:00 - 12:00 UTC.
EUMETSAT Data Centre Archive maintenance, software release.
In this release, the FTP push option for online delivery will be removed
from the Data Centre online ordering application and changes to the delivery
media will be made.
During this time no orders will be processed but orders can be placed.
For full details, please see:
http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/News/ProductServiceNews/817723?l=en

FUTURE EVENTS.
Metop and NOAA Global and Regional Data Service.
25 April 2012.
Metop-A In-plane manoeuvre.
SEM data will be unavailable.
GOME data and products will be unavailable.
A temporary degradation of the quality of GRAS Level 1 products is to be
expected starting at the time of the manoeuvre.
All AMSU-A, ASCAT, ATOVS, AVHRR, HIRS, IASI and MHS products may have
temporarily degraded quality geo-location data after the time of the
manoeuvre.
Exact outage times to be announced closer to the day of the manoeuvre.

SAF Products.
24 April 2012.
OSI-SAF Full Resolution Sea Surface Temperature Metagranules available on
EUMETCast.
For full details, please see:
http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/News/ProductServiceNews/817586?l=en

Third-Party Data and Products.
26 April 2012.
MODIS Total Precipitable Water products available on EUMETCast.
For full details, please see:
http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/News/ProductServiceNews/817584?l=en


The following EPS GDS products are available on Eumetcast.

EPS-2          PID 510    Metop AMSA          operational
EPS-3          PID 510    Metop ASCAT         operational
EPS-5          PID 510    Metop GOME         operational
EPS-6          PID 510    Metop GRAS           operational
EPS-7          PID 510    Metop HIRS            operational
EPS-8          PID 510    Metop MHS            operational
EPS-9          PID 510    Metop SEM            operational
EPS-10        PID 510    Metop AVHRR        operational
EPS-11        PID 510    Metop IASI              operational
EPS-12        PID 510    Metop HKTM          operational
EPS-13        PID 510    NOAA AMSA           operational
EPS-15        PID 510    NOAA GAC              operational
EPS-16        PID 510    NOAA HIRS             operational
EPS-17        PID 510    NOAA MHS             operational
EPS-18        PID 510    EPS Service News   operational
EPS-19        PID 510    Test service            operational
EPS-Africa  PID 300    EPS Europe/Africa   operational
EPS-Global PID 300    EPS Global data      operational
   (EPS-19 may sometimes be limited to Manufacturers)

NOTES.

1.  Reports for all sections  should be sent to :-
      Douglas Deans.   dsdeans@...

2.  For further information on the Eumetcast service see :-
     David Taylor's web site :  http://www.satsignal.eu
     or  the Eumetsat web site :  www.eumetsat.int

GENERAL
=======
For further weather satellite related information join GEO, Group for Earth
Observation, and receive the informative quarterly magazine.  See :-
http://www.geo-web.org.uk/

To download element sets for all satellites visit the following sites :
http://www.space-track.org     and
http://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/

WEATHER SATELLITES
                              ===============
POLAR APT, DIGITAL and GEOSTATIONARY WEEKLY STATUS.
   ==============================================

Author :    Douglas S Deans.
E-mail  :   dsdeans@...
Twitter :   Douglas Deans @GM4VZY

Sections 2 and 4 have updates.

SECTION 1:   POLAR  APT/LRPT  REPORT --  23rd April 2012
   =============================================
     Satellite        Frequency (MHz)      Status        Image Quality

   NOAA 15          137.620  (APT)          on       good. See Note 8.
   NOAA 17          137.500  (APT)          on   No images. See Notes 7&8.
   NOAA 18          137.9125 (APT)         on              good
   NOAA 19          137.100  (APT)          on       good but see Note 6
   Metop-A           137.100 (LRPT)         off          see Note 3
   Meteor M N1   137.100 (LRPT)      sporadic    see Note 6

CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
None.

THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
None expected.

NOTES.

1. Three of the older NOAA weather satellites which have been
     decommissioned and are tumbling freely are known to sporadically put out
     a carrier on 137.500 MHz.  The satellites are TIROS-N, NOAA 6 and NOAA 9
     When the relevant footprints overlap this will cause interference to
     NOAA 17 when active on this frequency.
               --- 20th May 2011 update for NOAA 9. ---
     Sadly although no signals had been heard from NOAA 9 since October 2010,
     I have received 2 reports from Mike Piper and Mike Kenny confirming that
     NOAA 9 is back. Of course the only other APT satellite on 137.500 MHz
     is NOAA 17 with its stalled scan motor so the interference is not a
     problem.   My thanks to Mike and Mike for the reports.

2. NOAA 16's APT transmission system failed a few months after launch.

3. Metop-A's A-side LRPT transmitter has failed.  Currently the redundant
    B-side transmitter is off until further notice (No further service
    expected due to interference with HIRS instrument).

4. NOAA 14 was decommissioned on 23rd May 2007.

5. NOAA 12 was decommissioned on 10th August 2007.

6. Signals have been reported from Meteor M N1 but they are
     sporadic with periods off.  Although classed as LRPT it does not
     conform to the CGMS standard.
     During in-fill carrier phase this satellite can cause interference to
     NOAA 19 when footprints overlap.

7. NOAA 17 has scan motor problems with rising motor currents.
     Constant rephase by the MIRP was causing data dropouts on all the HRPT
     stream and APT and GAC derivatives.
     Auto re-phase has now been disabled and the resulting AVHRR products are
     almost all unusable.  Daily MIRP rephasing via the Stored Command Table
     began on 18 May 2010 (10/138) - at the first pass over the South Pole
     each day.
     Update 29/09/10 :-  Further deterioration in scan motor performance with
     no useable data from the AVHRR instrument. Scan motor has stalled.

8. As of 12th October 2010 at 15.00 UTC the following APT frequencies
     applied :-
     NOAA 17    137.500 MHz.
     NOAA 15    137.620 MHz.

9. Elements are available from :-
     http://www.space-track.org    and
     http://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/

LAUNCHES.
Metop-B launch expected May 23rd 2012.


SECTION 2:   POLAR  HRPT/AHRPT  REPORT -- 23rd April 2012
    ==============================================
CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
Loss of images from Feng Yun 1D.
See Note 9.

THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
None expected.

Satellite        Frequency   Antenna     Mode          Image Quality
                          (MHz)
NOAA 15         1702.5       Omni         HRPT               Weak
NOAA 16         1698.0       RHCP         HRPT         Good ( note 3)
NOAA 17         1698.0       RHCP         HRPT     No images. See note 7.
NOAA 18         1707.0       RHCP         HRPT              Good
NOAA 19         1698.0       RHCP         HRPT              Good
Feng Yun 1D   1700.4       RHCP         CHRPT      Off (see Note 9.)
Feng Yun 3A    1704.5          see note 5.
Feng Yun 3B    1704.5          see note 5.
Metop-A          1701.3       RHCP         AHRPT        Good (note 4)
Meteor M N1   1700    See note 6.
NPP   see Note 8.

NOTES.

1.  NOAA 14 was decommissioned on 23rd June 2007.

2.  NOAA 12 was decommissioned on 10th August 2007.

3. On Friday 19th September 2003 NOAA 16 developed AVHRR synch. problems
     similar  to those on NOAA 14 (and previously NOAA 15).
     Since then reports have been mixed.  Some periods of good data, some
     poor.
     Update 31st March 2012 :-  After a short period of poorer images,
     with signs of judder, there have been improvements in the scan motor
     performance.  Please see :-
   http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/weather-satellite-reports/message/2649

4. On 25 May 2009, Eumetsat extended the coverage of the Advanced High
     Resolution Picture Transmission (AHRPT) system on Eumetsat's Metop-A
     polar-orbiting satellite. The improved service provides additional
     coverage over the Gulf of Mexico and Indian Ocean regions.
     For more information, please see:
     http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/Media/Features/710601

5. Feng Yun 3A was declared operational on 12th January 2009.
    I am also grateful to Dave Wright of Dartcom for confirming that
    unfortunately (as usual) the Chinese have not strictly complied with the
    CGMS AHRPT Global Standard so reception using a standard Metop AHRPT
    receiver is not possible.
    Update:  The second in the series, Feng Yun 3B was launched on
    4th November 2010. I expect the information above for 3A will
    equally apply to 3B.
    My thanks to Johnny Lin for drawing this to my attention.

6. It appears that Meteor M N1 is neither using full HRPT or AHRPT and
     cannot be received using current receivers.  Please see other WSR mails
     for further explanation :-
     http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/weather-satellite-reports/message/2098.
     Continual sporadic problems with transmission.

7.  NOAA 17 has scan motor problems with rising motor currents.
     Constant rephase by the MIRP was causing data dropouts on all the HRPT
     stream and APT and GAC derivatives.
     Auto re-phase has now been disabled and the resulting AVHRR products are
     almost all unusable.
    Daily MIRP rephasing via the Stored Command Table began on 18 May 2010
    (10/138) - at the first pass over the South Pole each day.
    Update 29/09/10 :-  Further deterioration in scan motor performance with
    no useable data from the AVHRR instrument. Scan motor has stalled.

8. As this weather satellite has no S-band transmitter, it is included for
     information only.

9. Update 20th April 2012 :-  I am grateful to Roland Ertl and Dave Wright
     for confirming loss of images from FY-1D.

LAUNCHES.
Metop-B launch expected May 23rd 2012.


SECTION 3:   GEOSTATIONARY REPORT -- 23rd April 2012
   ===========================================
CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
None.

THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
None expected.

Europe & Africa
------------------
Satellite :        Meteosat 8 (9.5°E)
Data :             HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :  Yes, RSS and Standby for Meteosat 9.

Satellite :        Meteosat 9 (0°) (note 6).
Data :             HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :   Yes.

North America
----------------
East.

Satellite :        GOES 13 (75° W).
Data:              GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
                        LRIT (digital) -  1691 MHz
Operational:   Yes.

West.

Satellite :         GOES 15 (135°W approx).
Data :              GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
                         LRIT (digital) - 1691 MHz
Operational :   Yes.

Satellite :         GOES 14 (105°W)
Data :               In storage.

South America
----------------
Satellite :        GOES 12 (60°W)
Data :             GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
Operational :  Yes on South American project.

Asia   (Russian Operated Satellite)
--------------------------------------

Satellite :         ELECTRO-L (76° E)
Data :              HRIT/LRIT.
Operational :   Yes.

Asia  (European Operated Satellites)
----------------------------------------
Satellite :      Meteosat 7 (57.5°E)
                      HRI (digital) - 1691 MHz
                      Wefax (analogue) occasionally for ranging purposes
                      only.
Operational :  Yes.

Asia  (Indian Operated Satellite)
--------------------------------
Satellite :         Metsat
Data :              None available.
Operational :   Yes.

Satellite :         Insat 3A  (Note 2.)
Data :              VHRR (digital) 2599 MHz
Operational :   Yes.

Asia (Korean Operated Satellite)
-----------------------------------
Satellite :        COMS (128.2° E)
Data :             HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :  Yes.

Asia & Oceania  (Japanese Operated Satellites)
------------------------------------------------
Satellite :       MTSAT-1R (140° E) (note 4.)
Data :            HRIT (digital) - 1687.1 MHz.
                       LRIT(digital)   - 1691 MHz.
                       (Note 5.)
Operational : yes

Satellite :        MTSAT-2 (145º E).
Data :             HRIT (digital) - 1687.1 MHz
                        LRIT(digital)   - 1691 MHz.
Operational :  Yes


Asia & Oceania  (Chinese Operated Satellites)
----------------------------------------------------
Satellite :          Feng Yun 2D (86.5°E).
Data :               SVISSR (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :   Yes.

Satellite:          Feng Yun 2E (104° E).
Data :              SVISSR (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :   Yes.

NOTES.

1.  Meteosat 7 stopped its 0° service at 09.00 UTC on 14th June 2006.

2. Insat 3A is a combined data and meteorological satellite.

3. For those interested in EMWIN data, the following sats/frequencies apply.

     GOES 15   (135 W)  1692.700 MHz
     GOES 13   (75 W)    1692.700 MHz
    For further info. there are many sources but the following is
    particularly  informative:-
    http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov/emwin/user-intro.htm

4.  This satellite is also known as HIMAWARI 6.

5. HiRID and WEFAX was discontinued on 12th March 2008.  It was replaced
    with HRIT/LRIT (after many months of dual dissemination).

6. Only LRIT (1691.0 MHz) is provided in direct readout.
     Full HRIT and LRIT service from Eumetcast.


LAUNCHES.
None expected.

SECTION 4:   EUMETCAST  REPORT  -- 23rd April 2012
   ========================================

      Service                 Status            Eurobird 9A Satellite (9° E)

     EARS                        On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     Meteosat 8 (RSS)    On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     Meteosat 9             On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     DWDSAT                 On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     EPS(Metop-A)         On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     Jason                      On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz

CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
Meteosat 9 Note added.
Metop and NOAA Global Data Service Note added.
Metop and NOAA Regional Data Service Note added.
SAF Products Note added.
Third-Party Data and Products Note updated.
Jason-2 Note added.

THIS WEEK AND  FUTURE  POSSIBLE  EVENTS.
GENERAL NOTE.
Meteosat Straylight Predictions for Winter/Spring 2012 available on EUMETSAT
Website:
http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/ServiceStatus/index.htm?l=en
(See Section "Operational Schedules")

METEOSAT 9.
24 April 2012  12:00 - 12:30 UTC.
Essential Image Processing software upgrade.
Risk of interruption of image data.

METOP AND NOAA GLOBAL DATA SERVICE.
23 April 2012  04:16 UTC orbit 28591.
ASCAT Gain Compression.
A short outage of all ASCAT products can be expected.

23 April 2012 - 15 May 2012.
ASCAT Transponder Maintenance.
Metop-A ASCAT needs to support this by performing external calibrations.
Short outages of the ASCAT GDS Level 1, soil moisture and global and
regional winds products in the vicinity of Turkey can be expected.

25 April 2012.
Metop-A In-plane manoeuvre has been cancelled.

29 April 2012 - 02 May 2012.
ASCAT external calibration.
Short outages of the ASCAT GDS Level 1, soil moisture and global and
regional winds products can be expected.
29 April 2012  07:16 UTC orbit 28678
30 April 2012  08:35 UTC orbit 28693
01 May 2012  18:16 UTC orbit 28699
02 May 2012  07:55 UTC orbit 28721

METOP AND NOAA REGIONAL DATA SERVICE.
26 April 2012.
New EARS-IASI service available on EUMETCast.
For full details, please see:
http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/News/ProductServiceNews/817951?l=en

THIRD-PARTY DATA AND PRODUCTS.
10 February 2012 - 27 April 2012.
GOES West Eclipse Season.
08:00 UTC and 09:00 UTC image data may be unavailable or incomplete.

14 February 2012 - 26 April 2012.
MTSAT Eclipse Season.
14:00 UTC and 15:00 UTC image data may be unavailable or incomplete.

26 April 2012.
MODIS Total Precipitable Water products available on EUMETCast.
For full details, please see:
http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/News/ProductServiceNews/817584?l=en

JASON-2.
25 April 2012.
Essential communications maintenance.
Risk of short interruption of services.

SAF PRODUCTS.
24 April 2012.
OSI-SAF Full Resolution Sea Surface Temperature Metagranules available on
EUMETCast.  For full details, please see:
http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/News/ProductServiceNews/817586?l=en



The following EPS GDS products are available on Eumetcast.

EPS-2          PID 510    Metop AMSA          operational
EPS-3          PID 510    Metop ASCAT         operational
EPS-5          PID 510    Metop GOME         operational
EPS-6          PID 510    Metop GRAS           operational
EPS-7          PID 510    Metop HIRS            operational
EPS-8          PID 510    Metop MHS            operational
EPS-9          PID 510    Metop SEM            operational
EPS-10        PID 510    Metop AVHRR        operational
EPS-11        PID 510    Metop IASI              operational
EPS-12        PID 510    Metop HKTM          operational
EPS-13        PID 510    NOAA AMSA           operational
EPS-15        PID 510    NOAA GAC              operational
EPS-16        PID 510    NOAA HIRS             operational
EPS-17        PID 510    NOAA MHS             operational
EPS-18        PID 510    EPS Service News   operational
EPS-19        PID 510    Test service            operational
EPS-Africa  PID 300    EPS Europe/Africa   operational
EPS-Global PID 300    EPS Global data      operational
   (EPS-19 may sometimes be limited to Manufacturers)

NOTES.

1.  Reports for all sections  should be sent to :-
      Douglas Deans.   dsdeans@...

2.  For further information on the Eumetcast service see :-
     David Taylor's web site :  http://www.satsignal.eu
     or  the Eumetsat web site :  www.eumetsat.int

GENERAL
=======
For further weather satellite related information join GEO, Group for Earth
Observation, and receive the informative quarterly magazine.  See :-
http://www.geo-web.org.uk/

To download element sets for all satellites visit the following sites :
http://www.space-track.org     and
http://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/

I am very grateful to Dave Wright of Dartcom for the following report which
has not been picked up yet by most of the launch sites.
The news is not good.

Regards,
Douglas.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kazakh dispute with Russia Delays MetOp-B Launch

4:09 AM on Apr 27, 2012
A dispute between Russia and Kazakhstan over debris from Soyuz rocket lower
stages has forced an indefinite postponement of the launch of Europe's
MetOp-B meteorological satellite.

The polar-orbiting weather satellite had been scheduled for a May 23 launch
atop a Soyuz rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
Russia and Kazakhstan have long had disagreements about rocket lower stages
dumping on Kazakh territory, sometimes with toxic fuel. Past arguments have
ended with Russia offering cash payments or other compensation to the Kazakh
government.
MetOp-B is a twin of the MetOp-A spacecraft launched in 2006. Although
MetOp-A is in good health, Europe's meteorological satellite organization,
Eumetsat, and the European Space Agency (ESA), wanted MetOp-B ready and in
orbit by the end of this year. The identical MetOp-C satellite is currently
scheduled for launch in 2016.
MetOp-B was shipped to Baikonur from the Toulouse France production facility
of Astrium Satellites in early March. Officials said preparations at the
Baikonur Cosmodrome would be stopped and the satellite would be placed in
safe storage at the launch site.

It has been reported that the launch of Metop B due on the 23rd May has been
delayed until at least late July due to a "squabble" between Russia and
Kazakhstan over drop zones for the lower stage.

Full story at    http://spaceflightnow.com/soyuz/st25/120427delay/

Regards
Ian.

WEATHER SATELLITES
                              ===============
POLAR APT, DIGITAL and GEOSTATIONARY WEEKLY STATUS.
   ==============================================

Author :    Douglas S Deans.
E-mail  :   dsdeans@...
Twitter :   Douglas Deans @GM4VZY

Sections  1, 3 and 4 have updates.

SECTION 1:   POLAR  APT/LRPT  REPORT --  30th April 2012
   =============================================
     Satellite        Frequency (MHz)      Status        Image Quality

   NOAA 15          137.620  (APT)          on       good. See Note 8.
   NOAA 17          137.500  (APT)          on   No images. See Notes 7&8.
   NOAA 18          137.9125 (APT)         on              good
   NOAA 19          137.100  (APT)          on       good but see Note 6
   Metop-A           137.100 (LRPT)         off          see Note 3
   Meteor M N1   137.100 (LRPT)      sporadic    see Note 6

CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
Metop-B launch postponed (see below).

THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
None expected.

NOTES.

1. Three of the older NOAA weather satellites which have been
     decommissioned and are tumbling freely are known to sporadically put out
     a carrier on 137.500 MHz.  The satellites are TIROS-N, NOAA 6 and NOAA 9
     When the relevant footprints overlap this will cause interference to
     NOAA 17 when active on this frequency.
               --- 20th May 2011 update for NOAA 9. ---
     Sadly although no signals had been heard from NOAA 9 since October 2010,
     I have received 2 reports from Mike Piper and Mike Kenny confirming that
     NOAA 9 is back. Of course the only other APT satellite on 137.500 MHz
     is NOAA 17 with its stalled scan motor so the interference is not a
     problem.   My thanks to Mike and Mike for the reports.

2. NOAA 16's APT transmission system failed a few months after launch.

3. Metop-A's A-side LRPT transmitter has failed.  Currently the redundant
    B-side transmitter is off until further notice (No further service
    expected due to interference with HIRS instrument).

4. NOAA 14 was decommissioned on 23rd May 2007.

5. NOAA 12 was decommissioned on 10th August 2007.

6. Signals have been reported from Meteor M N1 but they are
     sporadic with periods off.  Although classed as LRPT it does not
     conform to the CGMS standard.
     During in-fill carrier phase this satellite can cause interference to
     NOAA 19 when footprints overlap.

7. NOAA 17 has scan motor problems with rising motor currents.
     Constant rephase by the MIRP was causing data dropouts on all the HRPT
     stream and APT and GAC derivatives.
     Auto re-phase has now been disabled and the resulting AVHRR products are
     almost all unusable.  Daily MIRP rephasing via the Stored Command Table
     began on 18 May 2010 (10/138) - at the first pass over the South Pole
     each day.
     Update 29/09/10 :-  Further deterioration in scan motor performance with
     no useable data from the AVHRR instrument. Scan motor has stalled.

8. As of 12th October 2010 at 15.00 UTC the following APT frequencies
     applied :-
     NOAA 17    137.500 MHz.
     NOAA 15    137.620 MHz.

9. Elements are available from :-
     http://www.space-track.org    and
     http://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/

LAUNCHES.
Metop-B launch postponed indefinitely due to dispute between Russia and
Kazakhstan. (My thanks to Dave Wright of Dartcom).


SECTION 2:   POLAR  HRPT/AHRPT  REPORT -- 30th April 2012
    ==============================================
CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
None.

THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
None expected.

Satellite        Frequency   Antenna     Mode          Image Quality
                          (MHz)
NOAA 15         1702.5       Omni         HRPT               Weak
NOAA 16         1698.0       RHCP         HRPT         Good ( note 3)
NOAA 17         1698.0       RHCP         HRPT     No images. See note 7.
NOAA 18         1707.0       RHCP         HRPT              Good
NOAA 19         1698.0       RHCP         HRPT              Good
Feng Yun 1D   1700.4       RHCP         CHRPT      Off (see Note 9.)
Feng Yun 3A    1704.5          see note 5.
Feng Yun 3B    1704.5          see note 5.
Metop-A          1701.3       RHCP         AHRPT        Good (note 4)
Meteor M N1   1700    See note 6.
NPP   see Note 8.

NOTES.

1.  NOAA 14 was decommissioned on 23rd June 2007.

2.  NOAA 12 was decommissioned on 10th August 2007.

3. On Friday 19th September 2003 NOAA 16 developed AVHRR synch. problems
     similar  to those on NOAA 14 (and previously NOAA 15).
     Since then reports have been mixed.  Some periods of good data, some
     poor.
     Update 31st March 2012 :-  After a short period of poorer images,
     with signs of judder, there have been improvements in the scan motor
     performance.  Please see :-
   http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/weather-satellite-reports/message/2649

4. On 25 May 2009, Eumetsat extended the coverage of the Advanced High
     Resolution Picture Transmission (AHRPT) system on Eumetsat's Metop-A
     polar-orbiting satellite. The improved service provides additional
     coverage over the Gulf of Mexico and Indian Ocean regions.
     For more information, please see:
     http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/Media/Features/710601

5. Feng Yun 3A was declared operational on 12th January 2009.
    I am also grateful to Dave Wright of Dartcom for confirming that
    unfortunately (as usual) the Chinese have not strictly complied with the
    CGMS AHRPT Global Standard so reception using a standard Metop AHRPT
    receiver is not possible.
    Update:  The second in the series, Feng Yun 3B was launched on
    4th November 2010. I expect the information above for 3A will
    equally apply to 3B.
    My thanks to Johnny Lin for drawing this to my attention.

6. It appears that Meteor M N1 is neither using full HRPT or AHRPT and
     cannot be received using current receivers.  Please see other WSR mails
     for further explanation :-
     http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/weather-satellite-reports/message/2098.
     Continual sporadic problems with transmission.

7.  NOAA 17 has scan motor problems with rising motor currents.
     Constant rephase by the MIRP was causing data dropouts on all the HRPT
     stream and APT and GAC derivatives.
     Auto re-phase has now been disabled and the resulting AVHRR products are
     almost all unusable.
    Daily MIRP rephasing via the Stored Command Table began on 18 May 2010
    (10/138) - at the first pass over the South Pole each day.
    Update 29/09/10 :-  Further deterioration in scan motor performance with
    no useable data from the AVHRR instrument. Scan motor has stalled.

8. As this weather satellite has no S-band transmitter, it is included for
     information only.

9. Update 20th April 2012 :-  I am grateful to Roland Ertl and Dave Wright
     for confirming loss of images from FY-1D.

LAUNCHES.
Metop-B launch expected May 23rd 2012.


SECTION 3:   GEOSTATIONARY REPORT -- 30th April 2012
   ===========================================
CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
Launch date added for MSG-3.

THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
None expected.

Europe & Africa
------------------
Satellite :        Meteosat 8 (9.5°E)
Data :             HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :  Yes, RSS and Standby for Meteosat 9.

Satellite :        Meteosat 9 (0°) (note 6).
Data :             HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :   Yes.

North America
----------------
East.

Satellite :        GOES 13 (75° W).
Data:              GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
                        LRIT (digital) -  1691 MHz
Operational:   Yes.

West.

Satellite :         GOES 15 (135°W approx).
Data :              GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
                         LRIT (digital) - 1691 MHz
Operational :   Yes.

Satellite :         GOES 14 (105°W)
Data :               In storage.

South America
----------------
Satellite :        GOES 12 (60°W)
Data :             GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
Operational :  Yes on South American project.

Asia   (Russian Operated Satellite)
--------------------------------------

Satellite :         ELECTRO-L (76° E)
Data :              HRIT/LRIT.
Operational :   Yes.

Asia  (European Operated Satellites)
----------------------------------------
Satellite :      Meteosat 7 (57.5°E)
                      HRI (digital) - 1691 MHz
                      Wefax (analogue) occasionally for ranging purposes
                      only.
Operational :  Yes.

Asia  (Indian Operated Satellite)
--------------------------------
Satellite :         Metsat
Data :              None available.
Operational :   Yes.

Satellite :         Insat 3A  (Note 2.)
Data :              VHRR (digital) 2599 MHz
Operational :   Yes.

Asia (Korean Operated Satellite)
-----------------------------------
Satellite :        COMS (128.2° E)
Data :             HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :  Yes.

Asia & Oceania  (Japanese Operated Satellites)
------------------------------------------------
Satellite :       MTSAT-1R (140° E) (note 4.)
Data :            HRIT (digital) - 1687.1 MHz.
                       LRIT(digital)   - 1691 MHz.
                       (Note 5.)
Operational : yes

Satellite :        MTSAT-2 (145º E).
Data :             HRIT (digital) - 1687.1 MHz
                        LRIT(digital)   - 1691 MHz.
Operational :  Yes


Asia & Oceania  (Chinese Operated Satellites)
----------------------------------------------------
Satellite :          Feng Yun 2D (86.5°E).
Data :               SVISSR (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :   Yes.

Satellite:          Feng Yun 2E (104° E).
Data :              SVISSR (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :   Yes.

NOTES.

1.  Meteosat 7 stopped its 0° service at 09.00 UTC on 14th June 2006.

2. Insat 3A is a combined data and meteorological satellite.

3. For those interested in EMWIN data, the following sats/frequencies apply.

     GOES 15   (135 W)  1692.700 MHz
     GOES 13   (75 W)    1692.700 MHz
    For further info. there are many sources but the following is
    particularly  informative:-
    http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov/emwin/user-intro.htm

4.  This satellite is also known as HIMAWARI 6.

5. HiRID and WEFAX was discontinued on 12th March 2008.  It was replaced
    with HRIT/LRIT (after many months of dual dissemination).

6. Only LRIT (1691.0 MHz) is provided in direct readout.
     Full HRIT and LRIT service from Eumetcast.


LAUNCHES.
MSG-3 (Meteosat 10 when launched) expected to launch June 19th 2012.

SECTION 4:   EUMETCAST  REPORT  -- 30th April 2012
   ========================================

      Service                 Status            Eurobird 9A Satellite (9° E)

     EARS                        On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     Meteosat 8 (RSS)    On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     Meteosat 9             On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     DWDSAT                 On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     EPS(Metop-A)         On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     Jason                      On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz

CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
General Note updated.
Meteosat 8 (RSS) Note added.
Metop and NOAA Global Data Service Note updated.
Data Centre Note added.
Future Events Note added.

THIS WEEK AND  FUTURE  POSSIBLE  EVENTS.
GENERAL NOTE.
02 May 2012  09:00 - 11:00 UTC.
Essential EUMETCast Maintenance.
Between 09:00 UTC and 11:00 UTC short interruptions and delay of data
reception up to 5 min. No losses expected.

Meteosat Straylight Predictions for Winter/Spring 2012 available on EUMETSAT
Website:
http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/ServiceStatus/index.htm?l=en
(See Section "Operational Schedules").

METEOSAT (RSS).
Until Further Notice :-
Meteosat-8 is currently operating in Earth Mode due to a problem with the
sun sensor data on board.
After modifying the image processing system the RSS image quality is
currently back to nominal.

02 May 2012  09:00 UTC - 04 May 2012  09:00 UTC.
Monthly RSS interruption.
Rapid Scanning Service will be suspended for scheduled Full Earth Scanning
and Ground Segment Maintenance.
Full Earth Images, if any, will not be disseminated. Upon resuming the Rapid
Scanning Service, most meteorological products may take up to 30 minutes to
resume.
Note, the Multi-Sensor Precipitation Estimate (MPE) may take up to 18 hours
to fully resume.

METOP AND NOAA GLOBAL DATA SERVICE.
23 April 2012 - 15 May 2012.
ASCAT Transponder Maintenance.
Metop-A ASCAT needs to support this by performing external calibrations.
Short outages of the ASCAT GDS Level 1, soil moisture and global and
regional winds products in the vicinity of Turkey can be expected.

29 April 2012 - 02 May 2012.
ASCAT external calibration.
Short outages of the ASCAT GDS Level 1, soil moisture and global and
regional winds products can be expected.
29 April 2012  07:16 UTC orbit 28678
30 April 2012  08:35 UTC orbit 28693
01 May 2012  18:16 UTC orbit 28699
02 May 2012  07:55 UTC orbit 28721

DATA CENTRE.
02 May 2012  08:00 - 09:00 UTC.
EUMETSAT Data Centre Archive Maintenance.
During this time, no orders will be processed.

FUTURE EVENTS.
SAF Products.
10 May 2012.
Removal of the LSA-SAF EPS based products (DSLF and LST) from EUMETCast.
For full details, please see:
http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/News/ProductServiceNews/818286?l=en


The following EPS GDS products are available on Eumetcast.

EPS-2          PID 510    Metop AMSA          operational
EPS-3          PID 510    Metop ASCAT         operational
EPS-5          PID 510    Metop GOME         operational
EPS-6          PID 510    Metop GRAS           operational
EPS-7          PID 510    Metop HIRS            operational
EPS-8          PID 510    Metop MHS            operational
EPS-9          PID 510    Metop SEM            operational
EPS-10        PID 510    Metop AVHRR        operational
EPS-11        PID 510    Metop IASI              operational
EPS-12        PID 510    Metop HKTM          operational
EPS-13        PID 510    NOAA AMSA           operational
EPS-15        PID 510    NOAA GAC              operational
EPS-16        PID 510    NOAA HIRS             operational
EPS-17        PID 510    NOAA MHS             operational
EPS-18        PID 510    EPS Service News   operational
EPS-19        PID 510    Test service            operational
EPS-Africa  PID 300    EPS Europe/Africa   operational
EPS-Global PID 300    EPS Global data      operational
   (EPS-19 may sometimes be limited to Manufacturers)

NOTES.

1.  Reports for all sections  should be sent to :-
      Douglas Deans.   dsdeans@...

2.  For further information on the Eumetcast service see :-
     David Taylor's web site :  http://www.satsignal.eu
     or  the Eumetsat web site :  www.eumetsat.int

GENERAL
=======
For further weather satellite related information join GEO, Group for Earth
Observation, and receive the informative quarterly magazine.  See :-
http://www.geo-web.org.uk/

To download element sets for all satellites visit the following sites :
http://www.space-track.org     and
http://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/

I have received the following:

_______________________________________________
*Topic:* Planned LRIT (Low Rate Image Transmission) East and West
Broadcast Outage

*Date/Time Issued:* May 03, 2012 2025 UTC

*Product(s) or Data Impacted:* All LRIT data products on the LRIT East and
West Broadcasts including GOES Imagery, GOES DCS and EMWIN re-broadcasts
and environmental products.

*Date/Time of Initial Impact:* May 7, 2012 at 16:00 UTC.

*Date/Time of Expected end:*May 7, 2012 at 20:00 UTC.**
*
Length of  Event:***There will be a short (less than 30 minutes) outage
between 16:00 UTC and 20:00 UTC.

Details/Specifics of Change: The LRIT East and West Broadcasts will be
interrupted due to the installation of upgrades power supply to the
equipment rack that contains the LRIT routers that connect the NSOF to the
Wallops CDA.  LRIT will be failed over to the backup router and circuit.
No interruption is expected but a short interruption or delay is possible.
_______________________________________________


Cheers,
David
--
SatSignal software - quality software written to your requirements
Web:  http://www.satsignal.eu
Email:  david-taylor@...

WEATHER SATELLITES
                              ===============
POLAR APT, DIGITAL and GEOSTATIONARY WEEKLY STATUS.
   ==============================================

Author :    Douglas S Deans.
E-mail  :   dsdeans@...
Twitter :   Douglas Deans @GM4VZY

Section 4 has updates.

SECTION 1:   POLAR  APT/LRPT  REPORT --  7th May 2012
   ============================================
     Satellite        Frequency (MHz)      Status        Image Quality

   NOAA 15          137.620  (APT)          on       good. See Note 8.
   NOAA 17          137.500  (APT)          on   No images. See Notes 7&8.
   NOAA 18          137.9125 (APT)         on              good
   NOAA 19          137.100  (APT)          on       good but see Note 6
   Metop-A           137.100 (LRPT)         off          see Note 3
   Meteor M N1   137.100 (LRPT)      sporadic    see Note 6

CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
None.

THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
None expected.

NOTES.

1. Three of the older NOAA weather satellites which have been
     decommissioned and are tumbling freely are known to sporadically put out
     a carrier on 137.500 MHz.  The satellites are TIROS-N, NOAA 6 and NOAA 9
     When the relevant footprints overlap this will cause interference to
     NOAA 17 when active on this frequency.
               --- 20th May 2011 update for NOAA 9. ---
     Sadly although no signals had been heard from NOAA 9 since October 2010,
     I have received 2 reports from Mike Piper and Mike Kenny confirming that
     NOAA 9 is back. Of course the only other APT satellite on 137.500 MHz
     is NOAA 17 with its stalled scan motor so the interference is not a
     problem.   My thanks to Mike and Mike for the reports.

2. NOAA 16's APT transmission system failed a few months after launch.

3. Metop-A's A-side LRPT transmitter has failed.  Currently the redundant
    B-side transmitter is off until further notice (No further service
    expected due to interference with HIRS instrument).

4. NOAA 14 was decommissioned on 23rd May 2007.

5. NOAA 12 was decommissioned on 10th August 2007.

6. Signals have been reported from Meteor M N1 but they are
     sporadic with periods off.  Although classed as LRPT it does not
     conform to the CGMS standard.
     During in-fill carrier phase this satellite can cause interference to
     NOAA 19 when footprints overlap.

7. NOAA 17 has scan motor problems with rising motor currents.
     Constant rephase by the MIRP was causing data dropouts on all the HRPT
     stream and APT and GAC derivatives.
     Auto re-phase has now been disabled and the resulting AVHRR products are
     almost all unusable.  Daily MIRP rephasing via the Stored Command Table
     began on 18 May 2010 (10/138) - at the first pass over the South Pole
     each day.
     Update 29/09/10 :-  Further deterioration in scan motor performance with
     no useable data from the AVHRR instrument. Scan motor has stalled.

8. As of 12th October 2010 at 15.00 UTC the following APT frequencies
     applied :-
     NOAA 17    137.500 MHz.
     NOAA 15    137.620 MHz.

9. Elements are available from :-
     http://www.space-track.org    and
     http://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/

LAUNCHES.
Metop-B launch postponed indefinitely due to dispute between Russia and
Kazakhstan. (My thanks to Dave Wright of Dartcom).


SECTION 2:   POLAR  HRPT/AHRPT  REPORT -- 7th May 2012
    =============================================
CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
None.

THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
None expected.

Satellite        Frequency   Antenna     Mode          Image Quality
                          (MHz)
NOAA 15         1702.5       Omni         HRPT               Weak
NOAA 16         1698.0       RHCP         HRPT         Good ( note 3)
NOAA 17         1698.0       RHCP         HRPT     No images. See note 7.
NOAA 18         1707.0       RHCP         HRPT              Good
NOAA 19         1698.0       RHCP         HRPT              Good
Feng Yun 1D   1700.4       RHCP         CHRPT      Off (see Note 9.)
Feng Yun 3A    1704.5          see note 5.
Feng Yun 3B    1704.5          see note 5.
Metop-A          1701.3       RHCP         AHRPT        Good (note 4)
Meteor M N1   1700    See note 6.
NPP   see Note 8.

NOTES.

1.  NOAA 14 was decommissioned on 23rd June 2007.

2.  NOAA 12 was decommissioned on 10th August 2007.

3. On Friday 19th September 2003 NOAA 16 developed AVHRR synch. problems
     similar  to those on NOAA 14 (and previously NOAA 15).
     Since then reports have been mixed.  Some periods of good data, some
     poor.
     Update 31st March 2012 :-  After a short period of poorer images,
     with signs of judder, there have been improvements in the scan motor
     performance.  Please see :-
   http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/weather-satellite-reports/message/2649

4. On 25 May 2009, Eumetsat extended the coverage of the Advanced High
     Resolution Picture Transmission (AHRPT) system on Eumetsat's Metop-A
     polar-orbiting satellite. The improved service provides additional
     coverage over the Gulf of Mexico and Indian Ocean regions.
     For more information, please see:
     http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/Media/Features/710601

5. Feng Yun 3A was declared operational on 12th January 2009.
    I am also grateful to Dave Wright of Dartcom for confirming that
    unfortunately (as usual) the Chinese have not strictly complied with the
    CGMS AHRPT Global Standard so reception using a standard Metop AHRPT
    receiver is not possible.
    Update:  The second in the series, Feng Yun 3B was launched on
    4th November 2010. I expect the information above for 3A will
    equally apply to 3B.
    My thanks to Johnny Lin for drawing this to my attention.

6. It appears that Meteor M N1 is neither using full HRPT or AHRPT and
     cannot be received using current receivers.  Please see other WSR mails
     for further explanation :-
     http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/weather-satellite-reports/message/2098.
     Continual sporadic problems with transmission.

7.  NOAA 17 has scan motor problems with rising motor currents.
     Constant rephase by the MIRP was causing data dropouts on all the HRPT
     stream and APT and GAC derivatives.
     Auto re-phase has now been disabled and the resulting AVHRR products are
     almost all unusable.
    Daily MIRP rephasing via the Stored Command Table began on 18 May 2010
    (10/138) - at the first pass over the South Pole each day.
    Update 29/09/10 :-  Further deterioration in scan motor performance with
    no useable data from the AVHRR instrument. Scan motor has stalled.

8. As this weather satellite has no S-band transmitter, it is included for
     information only.

9. Update 20th April 2012 :-  I am grateful to Roland Ertl and Dave Wright
     for confirming loss of images from FY-1D.

LAUNCHES.
Metop-B launch expected May 23rd 2012.


SECTION 3:   GEOSTATIONARY REPORT -- 7th May 2012
   ==========================================
CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
None.

THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
None expected.

Europe & Africa
------------------
Satellite :        Meteosat 8 (9.5°E)
Data :             HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :  Yes, RSS and Standby for Meteosat 9.

Satellite :        Meteosat 9 (0°) (note 6).
Data :             HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :   Yes.

North America
----------------
East.

Satellite :        GOES 13 (75° W).
Data:              GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
                        LRIT (digital) -  1691 MHz
Operational:   Yes.

West.

Satellite :         GOES 15 (135°W approx).
Data :              GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
                         LRIT (digital) - 1691 MHz
Operational :   Yes.

Satellite :         GOES 14 (105°W)
Data :               In storage.

South America
----------------
Satellite :        GOES 12 (60°W)
Data :             GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
Operational :  Yes on South American project.

Asia   (Russian Operated Satellite)
--------------------------------------

Satellite :         ELECTRO-L (76° E)
Data :              HRIT/LRIT.
Operational :   Yes.

Asia  (European Operated Satellites)
----------------------------------------
Satellite :      Meteosat 7 (57.5°E)
                      HRI (digital) - 1691 MHz
                      Wefax (analogue) occasionally for ranging purposes
                      only.
Operational :  Yes.

Asia  (Indian Operated Satellite)
--------------------------------
Satellite :         Metsat
Data :              None available.
Operational :   Yes.

Satellite :         Insat 3A  (Note 2.)
Data :              VHRR (digital) 2599 MHz
Operational :   Yes.

Asia (Korean Operated Satellite)
-----------------------------------
Satellite :        COMS (128.2° E)
Data :             HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :  Yes.

Asia & Oceania  (Japanese Operated Satellites)
------------------------------------------------
Satellite :       MTSAT-1R (140° E) (note 4.)
Data :            HRIT (digital) - 1687.1 MHz.
                       LRIT(digital)   - 1691 MHz.
                       (Note 5.)
Operational : yes

Satellite :        MTSAT-2 (145º E).
Data :             HRIT (digital) - 1687.1 MHz
                        LRIT(digital)   - 1691 MHz.
Operational :  Yes


Asia & Oceania  (Chinese Operated Satellites)
----------------------------------------------------
Satellite :          Feng Yun 2D (86.5°E).
Data :               SVISSR (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :   Yes.

Satellite:          Feng Yun 2E (104° E).
Data :              SVISSR (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :   Yes.

NOTES.

1.  Meteosat 7 stopped its 0° service at 09.00 UTC on 14th June 2006.

2. Insat 3A is a combined data and meteorological satellite.

3. For those interested in EMWIN data, the following sats/frequencies apply.

     GOES 15   (135 W)  1692.700 MHz
     GOES 13   (75 W)    1692.700 MHz
    For further info. there are many sources but the following is
    particularly  informative:-
    http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov/emwin/user-intro.htm

4.  This satellite is also known as HIMAWARI 6.

5. HiRID and WEFAX was discontinued on 12th March 2008.  It was replaced
    with HRIT/LRIT (after many months of dual dissemination).

6. Only LRIT (1691.0 MHz) is provided in direct readout.
     Full HRIT and LRIT service from Eumetcast.


LAUNCHES.
MSG-3 (Meteosat 10 when launched) expected to launch June 19th 2012.

SECTION 4:   EUMETCAST  REPORT  -- 7th May 2012
   =======================================

      Service                 Status            Eurobird 9A Satellite (9° E)

     EARS                        On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     Meteosat 8 (RSS)    On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     Meteosat 9             On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     DWDSAT                 On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     EPS(Metop-A)         On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     Jason                      On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz

CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
IODC Note added.
Metop and NOAA Global Data Service Note updated.
SAF Products Note added.
Future Events Note updated.

THIS WEEK AND  FUTURE  POSSIBLE  EVENTS.
GENERAL NOTE.
Meteosat Straylight Predictions for Winter/Spring 2012 available on EUMETSAT
Website:
http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/ServiceStatus/index.htm?l=en
(See Section "Operational Schedules").

METEOSAT (RSS).
Until Further Notice :-
Meteosat-8 is currently operating in Earth Mode due to a problem with the
sun sensor data on board.
After modifying the image processing system the RSS image quality is
currently back to nominal.

IODC.
08 May 2012 00:28 UTC.
Meteosat-7 Manoeuvre.
Users may observe degraded image quality for up to 6 hours after the
manoeuvre.

METOP AND NOAA GLOBAL DATA SERVICE.
07 May 2012 05:10 - 09:10 UTC.
IASI External Calibration.
Outage to IASI GDS Level 1C atmospheric temperature and water vapour, cloud
parameters, ozone and trace gases, and emissivity products.

13 May 2012   18:57 - 19:49 UTC orbit 28884.
GOME2 monthly measurements of GOME-2 polarisation (PMD) data in raw readout
mode (PMDRAW).
Near real-time products from O3M SAF (L2 NTO) will be affected (see SAF
PRODUCTS below).

23 April 2012 - 13 May 2012.
ASCAT Transponder Maintenance.
Metop-A ASCAT needs to support this by performing external calibrations.
Short outages of the ASCAT GDS Level 1, soil moisture and global and
regional winds products in the vicinity of Turkey can be expected.

SAF PRODUCTS.
10 May 2012.
Removal of the LSA-SAF EPS based products (DSLF and LST) from EUMETCast.
For full details, please see:
http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/News/ProductServiceNews/818286?l=en

13 May 2012   18:57 - 19:49 UTC orbit 28884.
GOME2 operations (see above).
O3M SAF Near Real Time Total Column products (Total Column Ozone, the Total
Column NO2, and the Tropospheric NO2) will be unavailable.

FUTURE EVENTS.
Jason-2.
End of June.
Jason-2 processor update to OGDR-D standard, including a product format
change for the netCDF products.
More information to be provided in the coming weeks.



The following EPS GDS products are available on Eumetcast.

EPS-2          PID 510    Metop AMSA          operational
EPS-3          PID 510    Metop ASCAT         operational
EPS-5          PID 510    Metop GOME         operational
EPS-6          PID 510    Metop GRAS           operational
EPS-7          PID 510    Metop HIRS            operational
EPS-8          PID 510    Metop MHS            operational
EPS-9          PID 510    Metop SEM            operational
EPS-10        PID 510    Metop AVHRR        operational
EPS-11        PID 510    Metop IASI              operational
EPS-12        PID 510    Metop HKTM          operational
EPS-13        PID 510    NOAA AMSA           operational
EPS-15        PID 510    NOAA GAC              operational
EPS-16        PID 510    NOAA HIRS             operational
EPS-17        PID 510    NOAA MHS             operational
EPS-18        PID 510    EPS Service News   operational
EPS-19        PID 510    Test service            operational
EPS-Africa  PID 300    EPS Europe/Africa   operational
EPS-Global PID 300    EPS Global data      operational
   (EPS-19 may sometimes be limited to Manufacturers)

NOTES.

1.  Reports for all sections  should be sent to :-
      Douglas Deans.   dsdeans@...

2.  For further information on the Eumetcast service see :-
     David Taylor's web site :  http://www.satsignal.eu
     or  the Eumetsat web site :  www.eumetsat.int

GENERAL
=======
For further weather satellite related information join GEO, Group for Earth
Observation, and receive the informative quarterly magazine.  See :-
http://www.geo-web.org.uk/

To download element sets for all satellites visit the following sites :
http://www.space-track.org     and
http://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/

WEATHER SATELLITES
                              ===============
POLAR APT, DIGITAL and GEOSTATIONARY WEEKLY STATUS.
   ==============================================

Author :    Douglas S Deans.
E-mail  :   dsdeans@...
Twitter :   Douglas Deans @GM4VZY

Section 4 has updates.

SECTION 1:   POLAR  APT/LRPT  REPORT --  14th May 2012
   ============================================
     Satellite        Frequency (MHz)      Status        Image Quality

   NOAA 15          137.620  (APT)          on       good. See Note 8.
   NOAA 17          137.500  (APT)          on   No images. See Notes 7&8.
   NOAA 18          137.9125 (APT)         on              good
   NOAA 19          137.100  (APT)          on       good but see Note 6
   Metop-A           137.100 (LRPT)         off          see Note 3
   Meteor M N1   137.100 (LRPT)      sporadic    see Note 6

CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
None.

THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
None expected.

NOTES.

1. Three of the older NOAA weather satellites which have been
     decommissioned and are tumbling freely are known to sporadically put out
     a carrier on 137.500 MHz.  The satellites are TIROS-N, NOAA 6 and NOAA 9
     When the relevant footprints overlap this will cause interference to
     NOAA 17 when active on this frequency.
               --- 20th May 2011 update for NOAA 9. ---
     Sadly although no signals had been heard from NOAA 9 since October 2010,
     I have received 2 reports from Mike Piper and Mike Kenny confirming that
     NOAA 9 is back. Of course the only other APT satellite on 137.500 MHz
     is NOAA 17 with its stalled scan motor so the interference is not a
     problem.   My thanks to Mike and Mike for the reports.

2. NOAA 16's APT transmission system failed a few months after launch.

3. Metop-A's A-side LRPT transmitter has failed.  Currently the redundant
    B-side transmitter is off until further notice (No further service
    expected due to interference with HIRS instrument).

4. NOAA 14 was decommissioned on 23rd May 2007.

5. NOAA 12 was decommissioned on 10th August 2007.

6. Signals have been reported from Meteor M N1 but they are
     sporadic with periods off.  Although classed as LRPT it does not
     conform to the CGMS standard.
     During in-fill carrier phase this satellite can cause interference to
     NOAA 19 when footprints overlap.

7. NOAA 17 has scan motor problems with rising motor currents.
     Constant rephase by the MIRP was causing data dropouts on all the HRPT
     stream and APT and GAC derivatives.
     Auto re-phase has now been disabled and the resulting AVHRR products are
     almost all unusable.  Daily MIRP rephasing via the Stored Command Table
     began on 18 May 2010 (10/138) - at the first pass over the South Pole
     each day.
     Update 29/09/10 :-  Further deterioration in scan motor performance with
     no useable data from the AVHRR instrument. Scan motor has stalled.

8. As of 12th October 2010 at 15.00 UTC the following APT frequencies
     applied :-
     NOAA 17    137.500 MHz.
     NOAA 15    137.620 MHz.

9. Elements are available from :-
     http://www.space-track.org    and
     http://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/

LAUNCHES.
Metop-B launch postponed indefinitely due to dispute between Russia and
Kazakhstan. (My thanks to Dave Wright of Dartcom).


SECTION 2:   POLAR  HRPT/AHRPT  REPORT -- 14th May 2012
    =============================================
CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
None.

THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
None expected.

Satellite        Frequency   Antenna     Mode          Image Quality
                          (MHz)
NOAA 15         1702.5       Omni         HRPT               Weak
NOAA 16         1698.0       RHCP         HRPT         Good ( note 3)
NOAA 17         1698.0       RHCP         HRPT     No images. See note 7.
NOAA 18         1707.0       RHCP         HRPT              Good
NOAA 19         1698.0       RHCP         HRPT              Good
Feng Yun 1D   1700.4       RHCP         CHRPT      Off (see Note 9.)
Feng Yun 3A    1704.5          see note 5.
Feng Yun 3B    1704.5          see note 5.
Metop-A          1701.3       RHCP         AHRPT        Good (note 4)
Meteor M N1   1700    See note 6.
NPP   see Note 8.

NOTES.

1.  NOAA 14 was decommissioned on 23rd June 2007.

2.  NOAA 12 was decommissioned on 10th August 2007.

3. On Friday 19th September 2003 NOAA 16 developed AVHRR synch. problems
     similar  to those on NOAA 14 (and previously NOAA 15).
     Since then reports have been mixed.  Some periods of good data, some
     poor.
     Update 31st March 2012 :-  After a short period of poorer images,
     with signs of judder, there have been improvements in the scan motor
     performance.  Please see :-
   http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/weather-satellite-reports/message/2649

4. On 25 May 2009, Eumetsat extended the coverage of the Advanced High
     Resolution Picture Transmission (AHRPT) system on Eumetsat's Metop-A
     polar-orbiting satellite. The improved service provides additional
     coverage over the Gulf of Mexico and Indian Ocean regions.
     For more information, please see:
     http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/Media/Features/710601

5. Feng Yun 3A was declared operational on 12th January 2009.
    I am also grateful to Dave Wright of Dartcom for confirming that
    unfortunately (as usual) the Chinese have not strictly complied with the
    CGMS AHRPT Global Standard so reception using a standard Metop AHRPT
    receiver is not possible.
    Update:  The second in the series, Feng Yun 3B was launched on
    4th November 2010. I expect the information above for 3A will
    equally apply to 3B.
    My thanks to Johnny Lin for drawing this to my attention.

6. It appears that Meteor M N1 is neither using full HRPT or AHRPT and
     cannot be received using current receivers.  Please see other WSR mails
     for further explanation :-
     http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/weather-satellite-reports/message/2098.
     Continual sporadic problems with transmission.

7.  NOAA 17 has scan motor problems with rising motor currents.
     Constant rephase by the MIRP was causing data dropouts on all the HRPT
     stream and APT and GAC derivatives.
     Auto re-phase has now been disabled and the resulting AVHRR products are
     almost all unusable.
    Daily MIRP rephasing via the Stored Command Table began on 18 May 2010
    (10/138) - at the first pass over the South Pole each day.
    Update 29/09/10 :-  Further deterioration in scan motor performance with
    no useable data from the AVHRR instrument. Scan motor has stalled.

8. As this weather satellite has no S-band transmitter, it is included for
     information only.

9. Update 20th April 2012 :-  I am grateful to Roland Ertl and Dave Wright
     for confirming loss of images from FY-1D.

LAUNCHES.
Metop-B launch expected May 23rd 2012.


SECTION 3:   GEOSTATIONARY REPORT -- 14th May 2012
   ==========================================
CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
None.

THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
None expected.

Europe & Africa
------------------
Satellite :        Meteosat 8 (9.5°E)
Data :             HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :  Yes, RSS and Standby for Meteosat 9.

Satellite :        Meteosat 9 (0°) (note 6).
Data :             HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :   Yes.

North America
----------------
East.

Satellite :        GOES 13 (75° W).
Data:              GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
                        LRIT (digital) -  1691 MHz
Operational:   Yes.

West.

Satellite :         GOES 15 (135°W approx).
Data :              GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
                         LRIT (digital) - 1691 MHz
Operational :   Yes.

Satellite :         GOES 14 (105°W)
Data :               In storage.

South America
----------------
Satellite :        GOES 12 (60°W)
Data :             GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
Operational :  Yes on South American project.

Asia   (Russian Operated Satellite)
--------------------------------------

Satellite :         ELECTRO-L (76° E)
Data :              HRIT/LRIT.
Operational :   Yes.

Asia  (European Operated Satellites)
----------------------------------------
Satellite :      Meteosat 7 (57.5°E)
                      HRI (digital) - 1691 MHz
                      Wefax (analogue) occasionally for ranging purposes
                      only.
Operational :  Yes.

Asia  (Indian Operated Satellite)
--------------------------------
Satellite :         Metsat
Data :              None available.
Operational :   Yes.

Satellite :         Insat 3A  (Note 2.)
Data :              VHRR (digital) 2599 MHz
Operational :   Yes.

Asia (Korean Operated Satellite)
-----------------------------------
Satellite :        COMS (128.2° E)
Data :             HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :  Yes.

Asia & Oceania  (Japanese Operated Satellites)
------------------------------------------------
Satellite :       MTSAT-1R (140° E) (note 4.)
Data :            HRIT (digital) - 1687.1 MHz.
                       LRIT(digital)   - 1691 MHz.
                       (Note 5.)
Operational : yes

Satellite :        MTSAT-2 (145º E).
Data :             HRIT (digital) - 1687.1 MHz
                        LRIT(digital)   - 1691 MHz.
Operational :  Yes


Asia & Oceania  (Chinese Operated Satellites)
----------------------------------------------------
Satellite :          Feng Yun 2D (86.5°E).
Data :               SVISSR (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :   Yes.

Satellite:          Feng Yun 2E (104° E).
Data :              SVISSR (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :   Yes.

NOTES.

1.  Meteosat 7 stopped its 0° service at 09.00 UTC on 14th June 2006.

2. Insat 3A is a combined data and meteorological satellite.

3. For those interested in EMWIN data, the following sats/frequencies apply.

     GOES 15   (135 W)  1692.700 MHz
     GOES 13   (75 W)    1692.700 MHz
    For further info. there are many sources but the following is
    particularly  informative:-
    http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov/emwin/user-intro.htm

4.  This satellite is also known as HIMAWARI 6.

5. HiRID and WEFAX was discontinued on 12th March 2008.  It was replaced
    with HRIT/LRIT (after many months of dual dissemination).

6. Only LRIT (1691.0 MHz) is provided in direct readout.
     Full HRIT and LRIT service from Eumetcast.


LAUNCHES.
MSG-3 (Meteosat 10 when launched) expected to launch June 19th 2012.

SECTION 4:   EUMETCAST  REPORT  -- 14th May 2012
   =======================================

      Service                 Status            Eurobird 9A Satellite (9° E)

     EARS                        On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     Meteosat 8 (RSS)    On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     Meteosat 9             On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     DWDSAT                 On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     EPS(Metop-A)         On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     Jason                      On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz

CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
General Note updated.
Future Events Note updated.

THIS WEEK AND  FUTURE  POSSIBLE  EVENTS.
GENERAL NOTE.
14 May 2012  08:00 - 09:30 UTC.
Essential EUMETCast Maintenance.
There will be two short interruptions and delay of data reception up to 5
minutes. No losses are expected.

METEOSAT (RSS).
Until Further Notice :-
Meteosat-8 is currently operating in Earth Mode due to a problem with the
sun sensor data on board.
After modifying the image processing system the RSS image quality is
currently back to nominal.

FUTURE EVENTS.
General Note.
24 May 2012.
Change to EO Portal registration pages.
The 'Clear Sky Reflectance Map' entry will be removed from EUMETCast Europe
and EUMETCast Africa registration pages, and will be included in the
'Meteosat Meteorological Products - 0 degree' entry. Users currently
subscribed to the Meteosat Meteorological Products will automatically
receive the Clear Sky Reflectance Map products.

Jason-2.
End of June.
Jason-2 processor update to OGDR-D standard, including a product format
change for the netCDF products.
More information to be provided in the coming weeks.


The following EPS GDS products are available on Eumetcast.

EPS-2          PID 510    Metop AMSA          operational
EPS-3          PID 510    Metop ASCAT         operational
EPS-5          PID 510    Metop GOME         operational
EPS-6          PID 510    Metop GRAS           operational
EPS-7          PID 510    Metop HIRS            operational
EPS-8          PID 510    Metop MHS            operational
EPS-9          PID 510    Metop SEM            operational
EPS-10        PID 510    Metop AVHRR        operational
EPS-11        PID 510    Metop IASI              operational
EPS-12        PID 510    Metop HKTM          operational
EPS-13        PID 510    NOAA AMSA           operational
EPS-15        PID 510    NOAA GAC              operational
EPS-16        PID 510    NOAA HIRS             operational
EPS-17        PID 510    NOAA MHS             operational
EPS-18        PID 510    EPS Service News   operational
EPS-19        PID 510    Test service            operational
EPS-Africa  PID 300    EPS Europe/Africa   operational
EPS-Global PID 300    EPS Global data      operational
   (EPS-19 may sometimes be limited to Manufacturers)

NOTES.

1.  Reports for all sections  should be sent to :-
      Douglas Deans.   dsdeans@...

2.  For further information on the Eumetcast service see :-
     David Taylor's web site :  http://www.satsignal.eu
     or  the Eumetsat web site :  www.eumetsat.int

GENERAL
=======
For further weather satellite related information join GEO, Group for Earth
Observation, and receive the informative quarterly magazine.  See :-
http://www.geo-web.org.uk/

To download element sets for all satellites visit the following sites :
http://www.space-track.org     and
http://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/

WEATHER SATELLITES
                              ===============
POLAR APT, DIGITAL and GEOSTATIONARY WEEKLY STATUS.
   ==============================================

Author :    Douglas S Deans.
E-mail  :   dsdeans@...
Twitter :   Douglas Deans @GM4VZY

Section 4 has updates.

SECTION 1:   POLAR  APT/LRPT  REPORT --  21st May 2012
   ============================================
     Satellite        Frequency (MHz)      Status        Image Quality

   NOAA 15          137.620  (APT)          on       good. See Note 8.
   NOAA 17          137.500  (APT)          on   No images. See Notes 7&8.
   NOAA 18          137.9125 (APT)         on              good
   NOAA 19          137.100  (APT)          on       good but see Note 6
   Metop-A           137.100 (LRPT)         off          see Note 3
   Meteor M N1   137.100 (LRPT)      sporadic    see Note 6

CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
None.

THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
None expected.

NOTES.

1. Three of the older NOAA weather satellites which have been
     decommissioned and are tumbling freely are known to sporadically put out
     a carrier on 137.500 MHz.  The satellites are TIROS-N, NOAA 6 and NOAA 9
     When the relevant footprints overlap this will cause interference to
     NOAA 17 when active on this frequency.
               --- 20th May 2011 update for NOAA 9. ---
     Sadly although no signals had been heard from NOAA 9 since October 2010,
     I have received 2 reports from Mike Piper and Mike Kenny confirming that
     NOAA 9 is back. Of course the only other APT satellite on 137.500 MHz
     is NOAA 17 with its stalled scan motor so the interference is not a
     problem.   My thanks to Mike and Mike for the reports.

2. NOAA 16's APT transmission system failed a few months after launch.

3. Metop-A's A-side LRPT transmitter has failed.  Currently the redundant
    B-side transmitter is off until further notice (No further service
    expected due to interference with HIRS instrument).

4. NOAA 14 was decommissioned on 23rd May 2007.

5. NOAA 12 was decommissioned on 10th August 2007.

6. Signals have been reported from Meteor M N1 but they are
     sporadic with periods off.  Although classed as LRPT it does not
     conform to the CGMS standard.
     During in-fill carrier phase this satellite can cause interference to
     NOAA 19 when footprints overlap.

7. NOAA 17 has scan motor problems with rising motor currents.
     Constant rephase by the MIRP was causing data dropouts on all the HRPT
     stream and APT and GAC derivatives.
     Auto re-phase has now been disabled and the resulting AVHRR products are
     almost all unusable.  Daily MIRP rephasing via the Stored Command Table
     began on 18 May 2010 (10/138) - at the first pass over the South Pole
     each day.
     Update 29/09/10 :-  Further deterioration in scan motor performance with
     no useable data from the AVHRR instrument. Scan motor has stalled.

8. As of 12th October 2010 at 15.00 UTC the following APT frequencies
     applied :-
     NOAA 17    137.500 MHz.
     NOAA 15    137.620 MHz.

9. Elements are available from :-
     http://www.space-track.org    and
     http://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/

LAUNCHES.
Metop-B launch postponed indefinitely due to dispute between Russia and
Kazakhstan. (My thanks to Dave Wright of Dartcom).


SECTION 2:   POLAR  HRPT/AHRPT  REPORT -- 21st May 2012
    =============================================
CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
None.

THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
None expected.

Satellite        Frequency   Antenna     Mode          Image Quality
                          (MHz)
NOAA 15         1702.5       Omni         HRPT               Weak
NOAA 16         1698.0       RHCP         HRPT         Good ( note 3)
NOAA 17         1698.0       RHCP         HRPT     No images. See note 7.
NOAA 18         1707.0       RHCP         HRPT              Good
NOAA 19         1698.0       RHCP         HRPT              Good
Feng Yun 1D   1700.4       RHCP         CHRPT      Off (see Note 9.)
Feng Yun 3A    1704.5          see note 5.
Feng Yun 3B    1704.5          see note 5.
Metop-A          1701.3       RHCP         AHRPT        Good (note 4)
Meteor M N1   1700    See note 6.
NPP   see Note 8.

NOTES.

1.  NOAA 14 was decommissioned on 23rd June 2007.

2.  NOAA 12 was decommissioned on 10th August 2007.

3. On Friday 19th September 2003 NOAA 16 developed AVHRR synch. problems
     similar  to those on NOAA 14 (and previously NOAA 15).
     Since then reports have been mixed.  Some periods of good data, some
     poor.
     Update 31st March 2012 :-  After a short period of poorer images,
     with signs of judder, there have been improvements in the scan motor
     performance.  Please see :-
   http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/weather-satellite-reports/message/2649

4. On 25 May 2009, Eumetsat extended the coverage of the Advanced High
     Resolution Picture Transmission (AHRPT) system on Eumetsat's Metop-A
     polar-orbiting satellite. The improved service provides additional
     coverage over the Gulf of Mexico and Indian Ocean regions.
     For more information, please see:
     http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/Media/Features/710601

5. Feng Yun 3A was declared operational on 12th January 2009.
    I am also grateful to Dave Wright of Dartcom for confirming that
    unfortunately (as usual) the Chinese have not strictly complied with the
    CGMS AHRPT Global Standard so reception using a standard Metop AHRPT
    receiver is not possible.
    Update:  The second in the series, Feng Yun 3B was launched on
    4th November 2010. I expect the information above for 3A will
    equally apply to 3B.
    My thanks to Johnny Lin for drawing this to my attention.

6. It appears that Meteor M N1 is neither using full HRPT or AHRPT and
     cannot be received using current receivers.  Please see other WSR mails
     for further explanation :-
     http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/weather-satellite-reports/message/2098.
     Continual sporadic problems with transmission.

7.  NOAA 17 has scan motor problems with rising motor currents.
     Constant rephase by the MIRP was causing data dropouts on all the HRPT
     stream and APT and GAC derivatives.
     Auto re-phase has now been disabled and the resulting AVHRR products are
     almost all unusable.
    Daily MIRP rephasing via the Stored Command Table began on 18 May 2010
    (10/138) - at the first pass over the South Pole each day.
    Update 29/09/10 :-  Further deterioration in scan motor performance with
    no useable data from the AVHRR instrument. Scan motor has stalled.

8. As this weather satellite has no S-band transmitter, it is included for
     information only.

9. Update 20th April 2012 :-  I am grateful to Roland Ertl and Dave Wright
     for confirming loss of images from FY-1D.

LAUNCHES.
Metop-B launch expected May 23rd 2012.


SECTION 3:   GEOSTATIONARY REPORT -- 21st May 2012
   ==========================================
CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
None.

THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
None expected.

Europe & Africa
------------------
Satellite :        Meteosat 8 (9.5°E)
Data :             HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :  Yes, RSS and Standby for Meteosat 9.

Satellite :        Meteosat 9 (0°) (note 6).
Data :             HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :   Yes.

North America
----------------
East.

Satellite :        GOES 13 (75° W).
Data:              GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
                        LRIT (digital) -  1691 MHz
Operational:   Yes.

West.

Satellite :         GOES 15 (135°W approx).
Data :              GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
                         LRIT (digital) - 1691 MHz
Operational :   Yes.

Satellite :         GOES 14 (105°W)
Data :               In storage.

South America
----------------
Satellite :        GOES 12 (60°W)
Data :             GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
Operational :  Yes on South American project.

Asia   (Russian Operated Satellite)
--------------------------------------

Satellite :         ELECTRO-L (76° E)
Data :              HRIT/LRIT.
Operational :   Yes.

Asia  (European Operated Satellites)
----------------------------------------
Satellite :      Meteosat 7 (57.5°E)
                      HRI (digital) - 1691 MHz
                      Wefax (analogue) occasionally for ranging purposes
                      only.
Operational :  Yes.

Asia  (Indian Operated Satellite)
--------------------------------
Satellite :         Metsat
Data :              None available.
Operational :   Yes.

Satellite :         Insat 3A  (Note 2.)
Data :              VHRR (digital) 2599 MHz
Operational :   Yes.

Asia (Korean Operated Satellite)
-----------------------------------
Satellite :        COMS (128.2° E)
Data :             HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :  Yes.

Asia & Oceania  (Japanese Operated Satellites)
------------------------------------------------
Satellite :       MTSAT-1R (140° E) (note 4.)
Data :            HRIT (digital) - 1687.1 MHz.
                       LRIT(digital)   - 1691 MHz.
                       (Note 5.)
Operational : yes

Satellite :        MTSAT-2 (145º E).
Data :             HRIT (digital) - 1687.1 MHz
                        LRIT(digital)   - 1691 MHz.
Operational :  Yes


Asia & Oceania  (Chinese Operated Satellites)
----------------------------------------------------
Satellite :          Feng Yun 2D (86.5°E).
Data :               SVISSR (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :   Yes.

Satellite:          Feng Yun 2E (104° E).
Data :              SVISSR (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational :   Yes.

NOTES.

1.  Meteosat 7 stopped its 0° service at 09.00 UTC on 14th June 2006.

2. Insat 3A is a combined data and meteorological satellite.

3. For those interested in EMWIN data, the following sats/frequencies apply.

     GOES 15   (135 W)  1692.700 MHz
     GOES 13   (75 W)    1692.700 MHz
    For further info. there are many sources but the following is
    particularly  informative:-
    http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov/emwin/user-intro.htm

4.  This satellite is also known as HIMAWARI 6.

5. HiRID and WEFAX was discontinued on 12th March 2008.  It was replaced
    with HRIT/LRIT (after many months of dual dissemination).

6. Only LRIT (1691.0 MHz) is provided in direct readout.
     Full HRIT and LRIT service from Eumetcast.


LAUNCHES.
MSG-3 (Meteosat 10 when launched) expected to launch June 19th 2012.

SECTION 4:   EUMETCAST  REPORT  -- 21st May 2012
   =======================================

      Service                 Status            Eurobird 9A Satellite (9° E)

     EARS                        On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     Meteosat 8 (RSS)    On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     Meteosat 9             On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     DWDSAT                 On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     EPS(Metop-A)         On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz
     Jason                      On       Transponder  TP63: 11976.82 MHz

CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
General Note updated.
Meteosat 9 Note added.
Metop and NOAA Global Data Service Note added.
Jason-2 Note added.
Future Events Note updated.

THIS WEEK AND  FUTURE  POSSIBLE  EVENTS.
GENERAL NOTE.
24 May 2012.
Change to EO Portal registration pages.
The 'Clear Sky Reflectance Map' entry will be removed from EUMETCast Europe
and EUMETCast Africa registration pages, and will be included in the
'Meteosat Meteorological Products - 0 degree' entry. Users currently
subscribed to the Meteosat Meteorological Products will automatically
receive the Clear Sky Reflectance Map products.

METEOSAT 9.
22 May 2012  07:58 UTC.
Meteosat-9 Attitude Slew Manoeuvre.
Users may experience degraded image and meteorological product quality
following the manoeuvre for up to 12 repeat cycles.

METEOSAT (RSS).
Until Further Notice :-
Meteosat-8 is currently operating in Earth Mode due to a problem with the
sun sensor data on board.
After modifying the image processing system the RSS image quality is
currently back to nominal.

METOP AND NOAA GLOBAL DATA SERVICE.
21 May 2012   09:47 UTC orbit 28992.
ASCAT Gain Compression.
A short outage of all ASCAT products can be expected.

JASON-2.
21 May 2012  08:41:43 UTC.
Jason-2 Manoeuvre is foreseen.
OGDR products may be degraded for about 2 hours after the manoeuvre.

FUTURE EVENTS.
Jason-2.
End of June 2012
Jason-2 processor update to OGDR-D standard, including a product format
change for the netCDF products.
For full details, please see:
http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/News/ProductServiceNews/819046?l=en


The following EPS GDS products are available on Eumetcast.

EPS-2          PID 510    Metop AMSA          operational
EPS-3          PID 510    Metop ASCAT         operational
EPS-5          PID 510    Metop GOME         operational
EPS-6          PID 510    Metop GRAS           operational
EPS-7          PID 510    Metop HIRS            operational
EPS-8          PID 510    Metop MHS            operational
EPS-9          PID 510    Metop SEM            operational
EPS-10        PID 510    Metop AVHRR        operational
EPS-11        PID 510    Metop IASI              operational
EPS-12        PID 510    Metop HKTM          operational
EPS-13        PID 510    NOAA AMSA           operational
EPS-15        PID 510    NOAA GAC              operational
EPS-16        PID 510    NOAA HIRS             operational
EPS-17        PID 510    NOAA MHS             operational
EPS-18        PID 510    EPS Service News   operational
EPS-19        PID 510    Test service            operational
EPS-Africa  PID 300    EPS Europe/Africa   operational
EPS-Global PID 300    EPS Global data      operational
   (EPS-19 may sometimes be limited to Manufacturers)

NOTES.

1.  Reports for all sections  should be sent to :-
      Douglas Deans.   dsdeans@...

2.  For further information on the Eumetcast service see :-
     David Taylor's web site :  http://www.satsignal.eu
     or  the Eumetsat web site :  www.eumetsat.int

GENERAL
=======
For further weather satellite related information join GEO, Group for Earth
Observation, and receive the informative quarterly magazine.  See :-
http://www.geo-web.org.uk/

To download element sets for all satellites visit the following sites :
http://www.space-track.org     and
http://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/