McMurdo Ground Station Science Workshop; March 9-11, 2004; Columbus, OH

该研讨会将审查有关从下一代极地轨道卫星收集数据的一般问题，并向美国南极计划提供信息和备选方案，以便对这些问题做出最佳反应。麦克默多的气象学研究计划和天气预报计划都严重依赖卫星图像和基于卫星的数据进行研究和业务活动。目前，现有卫星到地面的数据链路是通过L频段传输系统。然而，最快在2006年就将发射第一颗在X频段传输数据的运行卫星，预计到2010年，所有L频段卫星传输系统将全部淘汰。下一代卫星机队将搭载新的传感器和仪器，产生比目前的数据流率高得多的数据流量，并将能够为比目前的卫星阵列更大的科学界提供服务。研讨会将考虑卫星机队和数据传输系统即将发生的变化，讨论在X波段系统中传输数据的更多应用，并就现有选择提出建议，重点是科学上最有价值和最具成本效益的应对措施，包括对麦克默多地面站捕获的数据和成像流进行评估，麦克默多地面站是一个十米长的天线以及相关的硬件和软件系统，其主要目的是获取南极合成孔径雷达数据。研讨会引起的讨论将产生广泛的影响。将寻求气象学、海洋学、冰川学、生物学和业务等领域的跨学科参与。研讨会的目标是了解即将到来的变化，探索对即将到来的变化的影响，并提出适应即将到来的变化的选项，以造福于美国南极计划。讲习班的成果将是一份书面报告--下一代卫星机队和麦克默多地面站的未来--将讨论地面设施的使用、应用、操作和自动化，以造福于研究和业务界。该报告将以硬拷贝和在线版本广泛分发。

This workshop will examine general questions surrounding the collection of data from the next generation of polar orbiting satellites, and to provide information and options to the U.S. Antarctic Program for an optimum response to these questions. Both the meteorology research program, and the synoptic weather forecasting program at McMurdo rely heavily on satellite imagery and satellite-based data for research and operational activities. Currently the data link from the existing satellites to the surface is through an L-band transmission system. As soon as 2006 however the first operational satellites that transmit data in the X-band will be launched, and by 2010 it is expected that all L-band satellite transmission systems will have been phased out. The next generation satellite fleet will carry new sensors and instruments that will produce a significantly higher data flow rate than the present one, and will be able to serve a greater scientific community than the current satellite array does.The workshop will consider the forthcoming changes in the satellite fleet and in the data transmission systems, discuss the increased applications for data transmitted in the X-band system, and make recommendations on available options, focusing on the scientifically most rewarding and cost-effective responses, including an assessment of the data and imagery stream captured at the McMurdo ground station (MGS) - a ten-meter antenna with associated hardware and software systems whose primary purpose has been to acquire antarctic synthetic aperture radar data. The discussions engendered by the workshop will have broad implications. Interdisciplinary participation will be sought from the fields of meteorology, oceanography, glaciology, biology and operations. The workshop goal is to understand the changes coming in the near future, explore the implications for, and present options for adapting the upcoming changes for the benefit of the U.S. Antarctic Program. The outcome of the workshop will be a written report - The Future of the Next Generation Satellite Fleet and the McMurdo Ground Station - which will address uses, applications, operation and automation of the ground facility for the benefit of the research and operational community. The report will be broadly disseminated both in hardcopy and on-line versions.