2022-2023 Science Planning Summary
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2022-2023 USAP Field Season
Project Detail

Project Title

Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS)


Photo by Elaine Hood. Image courtesy of NSF/USAP Photo Library.
T-961-M Research Location(s): McMurdo Station

Summary

Event Number:
T-961-M
NSF / NASA Agreement

Program Director:
Mr. Pat Smith

ASC POC/Implementer:
John Rand / Carrie Piesen


Principal Investigator(s)

Mr. William Gregory Munley Jr.
william.g.munley@nasa.gov


Location

Supporting Stations: McMurdo Station
Research Locations: McMurdo Station


Description

The Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) Common Ground System (CGS), managed by Mr. William Gregory Munley Jr., JPSS C3S, Polar Manager (Aerospace Corporation), at McMurdo Station consists of three 4-meter Ka/S-band satellite earth stations which provide the primary Southern Hemisphere ground station coverage for the NOAA CGS network. Exploiting the unique high southern latitude of McMurdo Station, these earth stations support data recovery from polar orbiting environmental observation satellites (NOAA-20, - 21) for rapid data delivery important for short range weather forecasting by U.S. and European weather forecasting centers. Weather products supported by the data have significant importance to the national economy and safety of life. NOAA collaborates with NSF for establishing satellite communications services for multiple tenants of McMurdo Station, to include NSF USAP mission communications.


Field Season Overview

The JPSS Program will deploy 10 participants to McMurdo Station to troubleshoot existing issues, and to repair and maintain the three receptors on the T-site and FINES site. They will install new processing equipment and perform maintenance on the electron equipment in the Joint Space Operations Center. In addition, the team will make changes and preparations for upgraded SatCom Services. The work planned is critical to the continued operation of the JPSS and supported stakeholder missions.


Deploying Team Members

  • Edgar Brandt
  • Carlos Carrillo
  • Matthew DeCicco
  • Ryan Detter
  • Heather Kilcoyne
  • Johnathan Mullins
  • William Munley Jr. (PI)
  • Alex Numa
  • David Thomas
  • Timothy Walsh
  • Joseph Yackee