The FCDAS Communicates with Environmental Satellites The FCDAS contains antennas, electronic equipment, and support facilities that were designed to provide radio communications with satellites observing the earth. Due to its location at high latitude, the FCDAS is well-positioned to achieve line-of-sight with polar-orbiting satellites as they converge on the north polar region.
Sensors aboard environmental satellites collect massive amounts of data on the atmospheric, oceanic, and terrestrial conditions throughout the world. The data are stored on-board the spacecraft for a portion of an orbit, and then transmitted down to the FCDAS when the satellites pass over the station. The FCDAS sends radio signals to the satellites to direct operation of their propulsion and sensor systems.
Space-based navigation, weather, communications, reconnaissance, and imagery data are valuable to many national and international operations.
Information is Delivered Worldwide from the FCDAS The FCDAS receives massive amounts of data from environmental satellites regarding the atmospheric, oceanic, and geophysical conditions of the world.
NESDIS processes, records, and delivers the information worldwide to support numerous scientific and national-security activities. Recipients include various government agencies, educational institutions, businesses, and private individuals. <top> |
Recipients Use Information Collected at the FCDAS in Support of Various Services and Applications WEATHER (e.g., preparation of meteorological forecasts - NOAA NWS forecasts: important to the state of Alaska)
CLIMATE AND ATMOSPHERIC STUDIES (e.g., developing temperature profiles in the atmosphere; correlating changes in atmospheric elements; space weather-UCLA HIPAS or IMAGE)
OCEANOGRAPHY (e.g., monitoring coastal ice, hydrology, and coastal parameters-NOAA NOS: local CZM programs)
GEODESY, TECTONOPHYSICS, AND GEOTHERMOMETRY (e.g., monitoring the earth's gravitational field and the size and form of the earth: tectonic processes in the earth; and heating of the earth, heat flow, volcanology, and hot springs-NASA VLBI: international VLBI program)
DEMOGRAPHICS AND MAPPING (e.g., Landsat, or NGS GPS CORS)
ENVIRONMENTAL (e.g., University of Alaska for environmental research projects [Exxon Valdez oil spill]; NMFS wildlife forecasts)
DISASTER (e.g., tracking the movements of storms, volcanic ash, icebergs-NOAA NWS: assisting various federal and local government)
SAFETY (e.g., maritime and aviation safety-international SARSAT)
NATIONAL DEFENSE & SECURITY (e.g., DoD DMSP) |
