Introduction to the GOES (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite) I-M Imager and Sounder Instruments and the GVAR (GOES Variable) Retransmission Format

摘要

The purpose of the document is to acquaint these users with the characteristics of the processed instrument data that will be available from the next series of GOES satellites, GOES I-M. The document includes a comparison of the existing VAS instrument with the instruments on the next series of satellites and a definition of the next processed instrument data format. It is the intent of the document to provide direct readout (Mode AAA) users with sufficient background information for them to prepare for the phaseover from the present GOES satellites to the next generation of GOES. The topic of the report is the GVAR processed data as it will be retransmitted to direct readout users. Information on the spacecraft, the imaging and sounding instruments, and the ground system is presented only to provide sufficient background and context for an understanding of the GVAR format. GVAR contains Imager and Sounder data. The other on-board instruments and their data and the special purpose transponders are not addressed in the report.