NOAA KLM User's GuideSection 1.2 |
The primary mission is to design, fabricate, integrate, test and launch five operational polar orbiter satellites into Sun-synchronous orbits. These satellites are designated NOAA-K, L, M, N, P and NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP) and their estimated launch dates are 1998, 2000, 2002, 2005, 2008 and 2006, respectively. NOAA KLM mission characteristics are shown in Table 1.2-1.
| Item | NOAA KLM Specifications |
|---|---|
| Launch Date (see Note 1) | NOAA-K: May 13, 1998 NOAA-L: September 21, 2000 NOAA-M: June 24, 2002 (mid morning orbit) NOAA-N: May 20, 2005 NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP): October 31, 2006 NOAA-P: February 2009 |
| Mission Life | 2 years minimum required |
| Orbit | Sun-synchronous, 833 ± 19 km or 870 ± 19 km |
| Launch Vehicles | U.S. Air Force (USAF) Titan II |
| Spacecraft - Operational | |
| Mass | 1478.9 kg on orbit/2231.7 kg at launch |
| Length/Diameter | 4.18 m / 1.88 m |
| Propulsion | Mono propellant hydrazine, GN2 and AKM |
| Attitude Control | 3-axis stabilized |
| Power | Direct energy transfer |
| Thermal | Passive and active controls |
| Data Rates -Real Time | |
| TIROS Information Processor (TIP) | 8.32 kilobits per second (kbps) includes low rate instrument (except AMSU) and spacecraft housekeeping and can be recorded |
| High Resolution Picture Transmission (HRPT) | 665.4 kbps includes all instrument data and spacecraft housekeeping and can be recorded. |
| Automatic Picture Transmission (APT) | approximately 2 kHz medium resolution imagery from two selected AVHRR sensor channels. |
| Data Rates - Recorded | |
| Global Area Coverage (GAC) | 665.4 kbps include low-rate instrument, spacecraft housekeeping and medium resolution imagery. |
| Local Area Coverage (LAC) | 665.4 kbps HRPT except the data field is randomized to record. |
| Playback | 2.66 Megabits per second (mbps) during normal operations. |
| Ground System | |
| Operation Control | NOAA/SOCC CDA stations at Wallops and Fairbanks. DSN 26-m and AFSCN for contingency support. |
| Forward Data Link | S-band command uplink encrypted. |
| Return Data Link | Housekeeping telemetry from HRPT and GAC downlinks. |
| Science Data Capture | Tape playback direct to CDA (typically eleven 12-minute contacts per day), relayed to the NOAA/CEMSCS in Suitland, MD |
| Science Data Processing | NOAA/CEMSCS, Air Force Global Weather Central (AFGWC), International Weather Services and ARGOS |
| Note: 1. Callup basis. |
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The basic plan is to launch the spacecraft from the Western Range (WR) using modified, standardized Titan II launch vehicles. Each spacecraft mission is required to be compatible with the existing NOAA system.
Reliability and continuous high performance are of prime importance. NASA will turn over each satellite to NOAA for operation following completion of the postlaunch on-orbit test period. Each spacecraft will be designed to meet all on-orbit performance requirements for a minimum period of two years.
The NOAA KLM satellites will replace operational satellites on-orbit as required to provide continuity to the NOAA managed and operated operational system. Upon successful achievement of orbit, NASA will conduct an engineering evaluation and checkout of each satellite. This will be accomplished by a NASA team in residence at NOAA's Satellite Operations Control Center (SOCC). During the instrument turn-on checkout period, the NASA team will direct the satellite and will obtain and analyze engineering data necessary to the evaluation. Upon completion of testing, the satellite will be turned over to NOAA for routine operational control. During the NOAA operational period, the POES Project's responsibility will be limited to investigation of spacecraft on-orbit anomalies upon NOAA's request. Figure 1.2-1 provides a NOAA-KLM System Functional Diagram.

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