Interested in obtaining X-band test data from NOAA's NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP)?
==================================================================

NOAA is conducting planning activities for civil access to the next generation of polar 
satellites scheduled for launch in 2010.  These satellites will combine the POES and 
DMSP satellites into a single constellation called the National Polar-Orbiting Operational 
Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS).  As a risk reduction project, NOAA will 
launch a test satellite in 2006 under the NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP) to test 
selected instruments and data transmissions.  The NPP satellite will transmit data to field 
terminals using continuous High Resolution Data (HRD) in the X-band at a nominal downlink 
frequency of 7812 to 7830 MHz.  When the HRD capable terminals are within the 
communications footprint of the satellite, the 20 Mbps data rate will enable them to receive 
the NPP sensor data as it is being collected at that time, at maximum resolution.

NOAA is interested in who from the civilian user community may be interested in obtaining 
NPP data.  Interested users will be required to obtain a ground terminal at their own expense.  
Ground stations are expected to be relatively expensive but NOAA plans to provide generic 
software and equipment specifications to help keep the cost down.  In addition, the investment 
should provide users with the experience needed to be on the vangard of the NPOESS terminal 
development.  If you or your organization is interested, please send an email identifying your 
organization and describing the reason for your interest to Darrell.Robertson@noaa.gov
-----------------------------------------------------------

Posted to the NOAASIS 1800 UTC, 20 October 2003, updated 27 October 2003.