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

本次研讨会将探讨从下一代极轨卫星收集数据的一般问题，并为美国南极计划提供信息和选择，以最佳地回答这些问题。麦克默多的气象研究项目和天气预报项目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，从现有卫星到地面的数据链是通过l波段传输系统。然而，最早在2006年，第一颗在x波段传输数据的操作卫星将发射，到2010年，预计所有l波段卫星传输系统将逐步淘汰。下一代卫星舰队将携带新的传感器和仪器，这些传感器和仪器将产生比目前高得多的数据流速率，并且将能够比目前的卫星阵列为更大的科学界服务。讲习班将审议卫星群和数据传输系统即将发生的变化，讨论在x波段系统中传输的数据的更多应用，并就现有的选择提出建议，重点是科学上最有益和最具成本效益的反应。包括对麦克默多地面站（MGS）捕获的数据和图像流的评估。MGS是一个10米长的天线，带有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。讲习班所引起的讨论将产生广泛的影响。将从气象学、海洋学、冰川学、生物学和业务等领域寻求跨学科的参与。研讨会的目标是了解在不久的将来会发生的变化，探讨其影响，并提出适应即将到来的变化的选择，以造福美国南极计划。研讨会的成果将是一份题为《下一代卫星舰队和麦克默多地面站的未来》的书面报告，该报告将讨论地面设施的使用、应用、操作和自动化，以造福研究和运营界。该报告将以硬拷贝和联机版本广泛散发。

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.