Hazard Monitoring Improvements in Alaska Through High Latitude Proving Ground Activities and Direct Broadcast

For Arctic regions, such as Alaska, low-earth orbiting (LEO) satellites in a polar trajectory fill a critical gap in short-fused weather and hazard monitoring when equipped with High Rate Data (HRD) “Direct-Broadcast” (DB) technology. Direct Broadcast provides an immediate downlink of data as the satellite passes over the area of concern. This affords the fastest possible delivery of critical satellite products to emergency responders and stakeholders, limited only by ground processing capabilities and product distribution methods. In addition, Direct Broadcast architecture encourages a closer link between LEO data providers and users.

The Geographic Information Network of Alaska (GINA), as part of the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), owns and operates two direct-broadcast antennas deployed in interior Alaska along with a powerful computer cluster at the UAF campus for processing satellite data using the Community Satellite Processing Package (CSPP). LEO satellite products are then delivered to numerous stakeholders across the state offering various distribution methods that best meet their needs. GINA functions as a High Latitude Proving Ground (HLPG) in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), NOAA Cooperative Institutes, government agencies, and other universities to connect product developers with stakeholders, while continually striving for improvement in product quality and high-speed delivery.

This presentation will highlight successful HLPG partnerships with government agencies in Alaska that have improved hazard monitoring for numerous stakeholders within the state. Partners such as the National Weather Service (NWS), Alaska Pacific River Forecast Center (APRFC), Alaska Sea Ice Program (ASIP), Anchorage Volcanic Ash Advisory Center (AVAAC), Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO), Alaska Fire Service (AFS), Alaska Department of Natural Resources (ADNR) and others, use LEO satellite data to assist in critical decision support. LEO Satellites currently received by GINA’s Direct Broadcast include the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) satellite series (SNPP, NOAA-20, NOAA-21), and other LEO missions such as NOAA-POES, the MetOp Series, and GCOM-W.

Future LEO satellite missions, such as JPSS-4, JPSS-3, GOSAT-GW, AWS-PFM, and MetOp-SG will also be important to include in the Direct Broadcast data stream to ensure continuity as existing satellites age and become less effective. Incorporating these new data sources and products will require a significant flow of information and training from GINA/HLPG to Alaskan stakeholders. Early preparations and planning for these new data sets will also be presented. The importance of satellite Direct Broadcast for the high latitudes, and especially Alaska, cannot be overstated. It is critical that Direct Broadcast capabilities continue to be supported in the planning for future missions.