GOES-11 Return to On-Orbit May 29-June 11, 2001

• To: Distribution
• Subject: GOES-11 Return to On-Orbit May 29-June 11, 2001
• From: Eric Chipman/GOES Lead Engineer
• Date: April 27, 2001

All,

The following information was received from SOCC (Satellite Operations
and Control Center) concerning the operation of GOES-11 (currently in
storage) from May 29 to June 11.  Of most importance to those viewing
this email may be #7 below: the transmission of GOES-M (GOES-12) data
through the GOES-11 GVAR transponder.

Tom Renkevens
Satellite Analysis Branch
Satellite Services Division
NOAA/NESDIS/OSDPD
thomas.renkevens@xxxxxxxx

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This memo is an outline of the plans for the return of GOES-11 to
on-orbit status for a 13-day period from May 29 to June 11, 2001.  This
activity is being done for several reasons, the most important of which
is to do a North-South maneuver to return GOES-11 to within the normal
inclination limits.  Other activities are also taking place, which I
outline here:

1. GOES-11 will be transitioned from ZAP Storage mode to Normal On-Orbit
mode on Tuesday, May 29.

2. At the time of the return to on-orbit mode, the SAR transponder will
be turned on, and will remain on until the evening of June 11, for any
planned SAR tests.  The DCPR transponder may also be turned on, if
requested by CDA.

3. At the time of the return to on-orbit mode, the Power Amp C will
already be on and configured for WEFAX use.  This transponder can be
used at any time while the spacecraft is earth-pointing, until the
evening of June 11.  CDA plans to do a series of tests of the LRIT and
Digital WEFAX systems during this time period.  We recommend that these
tests not be done during the North-South Maneuver on May 30, or during
the East-West Maneuver on June 6, since the spacecraft attitude may not
be fixed at those times.  CDA will be informed of the exact maneuver
times.

4. A North-South maneuver will be performed on May 30, and an East-West
maneuver will be
performed on June 6 or 7.  Times will be announced for these maneuvers.

5. The Imager and Sounder will be turned On on May 29, and will remain
on until June 11.  Daily schedules will be created to do Imager and
Sounder frames and blackbody cals (but not stars) during times when no
other activities interfere.  Scan mirror contamination avoidance will be
done for the Imager and Sounder for 7 nights following the return to
On-Orbit mode.  An SPS will be assigned to process the images and
transmit GVAR data.

6. IMC will not be active for the Imager or Sounder.  No IMC sets will
be generated.  There will be no PM support for landmark determinations.

7. Once a day, from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm, for each day from May 30 to June
8, a tape of GOES-12 data will be played back through the SPS
(configured for GOES-12) and relayed over the GVAR transponder, to
permit testing of GOES-12 software.  The GOES-11 data will not be
processed at these times.  Ground users of GOES-12 test data will be
reminded of this planned playback schedule as the time approaches.  The
tape to be used is the "GOES-M Tape#61 Equinox IR Sndr/Imgr 265/308" in
the CDA list.

8. GOES-11 will be returned to ZAP Storage mode on the evening of June
11.  The SAR transponder will be turned off at this time, as will the
Imager and Sounder.