NUMBER 143

DATE: 06/07/95

Sector Processing Center (SPC):

During April, NOA, ESA, and JMA processed greater than 97% of A data into B1/B2 data. CSU collected 75% of GOES-7 data and AES collected 68%. No METEOSAT-3 data were processed. Collection of GOES-8 data is still encountering problems.

Normal operations for April were reported by NOA, ESA and JMA.

CSU reported continued collection of GOES-7 data but satellite orbital motions caused significant losses. GOES-8 data has been collected since late March, but a hard disk crash caused its loss. However, these data may be recovered from back-up tapes and the CIRA archives.

ESA sent a CD-ROM containing B2 data collected for the first four months of 95 from METEOSAT-3 and METEOSAT-5. These data will be used to supplement GOES coverage.

AES reported that GOES-7 data collection continues, although spacecraft motions caused significant losses. Collection will continue until the antenna is switched to GOES-8 (expected to occur within the next month or two). Efforts are beginning to develop processing software for GOES-8 data, this time based on archived Stage A data being collected operationally by another group in AES. Because the data will now be archived, losses due to the link between the operational group and the SPC will not occur since processing will be done either from disk or tape storage sources. AES estimates that GOES-8 processing might commence in two or three months.

Satellite Calibration Center (SCC):

AC data were received for December 94, January, March and April 95 from GOES-7 (eliminating a backlog, although no data for February 95 have been received). AC data were also received for April 95 from GMS-4, METEOSAT-3, METEOSAT-5 and NOAA-14. CSU also sent AC data for April 95 from GOES-7 by network. A successful test to transmit NOAA AC data by network has also been performed. BC data (IR only) for January 95 from METEOSAT-3 and METEOSAT-5 have been sent to the GPC. SCC reported that METEOSAT-3 operations ceased on 1 June 95.

Global Processing Center (GPC):

The GPC continued to receive B2 data, BC data and correlative data in a routine manner.

Production of NOAA-11 (preliminary) B3 data is complete. Final B3 data have been produced though December 93. The first NOAA-14 datasets have been received, but formatting software has not been written yet.

Production of NOAA-12 (preliminary) B3 data is current. Final B3 data have been produced through December 93.

Production of GOES-7 (preliminary) B3 data is current. Final B3 data have been produced through June 93.

Sample GOES-8 B2 data has been received, but formatting software has not been written yet.

Production of METEOSAT-3 (preliminary) B3 data is current. The special CD-ROM datasets sent by ESA for February through April 95 have not been processed yet. Final calibration has commenced.

Production of METEOSAT-5 (preliminary) B3 data is current. Final B3 data for METEOSAT-4 have been produced through June 93.

Production of GMS-4 (preliminary) B3 data is current. Final B3 data have been produced through December 93.

Production of all INSAT-1 (preliminary) B3 data has been completed.

Production of the TOVS and ice/snow correlative datasets is on hold. TOV processing stopped in March 94 until we are able to accommodate an unannounced data format change.

Comparison of the two sea ice datasets shows that they are identical in sea ice coverage to within a few percent; therefore, the ISCCP ice/snow product will be produced using these data starting with 92.

DX/D1/D2 data production was almost routine. A power fluctuation over a long holiday weekend caused loss of all computer system cooling and a consequent system crash; recovery took most of a week. To date, we have completed processing of DX/D1/D2 for January - November 91. Deliveries of DX/D1/D2 will begin once the documentation is completed.

The ISCCP World Wide Web Home Page was made public on 23 May 95 and can be accessed at URL

http://haboob.giss.nasa.gov

Currently the documents are simple ASCII outputs from Word Perfect so that the equations and graphics are incomplete. Over the next few months, these documents will be revised to be complete. Please look at this Home Page, send corrections, comments and suggestions for what else might be offered to the indicated address. We are linking this page to GEWEX and other project pages.

ISCCP Central Archive (ICA):

The ICA continued to receive B1 data from NOA, AES, ESA, CSU and JMA and B3 and C data from the GPC in a routine manner.

The health of GMS-4, METEOSAT-3, METEOSAT-5, GOES-7, GOES-8, and NOAA-12 remained good. The problem with the NOAA-14 MSU seems to have abated; collection of AVHRR data is operational. There have been no reports of any problems with GMS-5, so it is expected to become operational sometime this summer. GOES-9 (replacement for GOES-7) was successfully launched on 23 May; operations are expected to begin in late September or October 95.

Stage B3: July 83 - June 93

Stage CD: July 83 - December 91

Stage C1: July 83 - June 91

Stage C2: July 83 - June 91

Delivery backlog for B3 data = 16 months (with respect to planned schedule). B3 data for 120 months have been archived, except for METEOSAT-3 replacing GOES-EAST.

Delivery backlog for new DX/D1/D2 data = 40 months (with respect to planned schedule). C1 data for 96 months have been archived.