The Contribution of Space Technologies to Arctic Policy Priorities

Polar Communication and Weather Mission (PCW) Facts in Brief Country: Canada

Operations: Canadian Space Agency, in partnership with Environment Canada and National Defence Status: Under study, planned launch date 2017 Mission Duration: Satellite design life of six years Coverage: Arctic circumpolar region Orbit: 2 satellites in Highly Elliptic Orbit (HEO), Molniya-type, with a period of 12 hours, inclination of 63.4 degrees and an apogee of approximately 39,900 km above Northern Hemisphere. TAP (Three Apogees) orbit also under consideration. Key Service Areas: climate change monitoring, meteorological observations, broadband communications Web link: http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/satellites/pcw/ PCW aims to support Canadian sovereignty and security, to improve quality of life and to facilitate economic development and world-class scientific research in the Arctic by providing reliable 24/7 high data rate (HDR) communications services. PCW also aims to monitor Arctic weather and climate change for the benefits of Canadians and the Global community. The main instrument for the meteorological payload will be an imaging spectroradiometer, similar to imagers being developed for the next generation of geostationary weather satellites. A secondary weather instrument (broadband radiometer) is also being considered. The primary Ka-band telecommunications payload consists of a high-speed two-way system capable of providing continuous broadband services to users throughout the Arctic. A suite of compact space weather instruments to study ionizing radiation completes the list of primary payloads. A list of secondary scientific payloads is currently being evaluated with possible atmospheric science applications.

Mission Objectives

System Capabilities

Temperature, wind, precipitation, humidity, ice/snow coverage, clouds, water

Measured Parameters

Currently, parts of the Canadian territory in the Arctic region are without access to secure, highly reliable and high capacity telecommunication solutions, particularly for mobile services such as ships, planes and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). PCW offers potential for provision of continuous 24/7 broadband two-way communications services throughout the entire Arctic region. The mission will also offer climate change monitoring and weather forecasting with improved temporal and spatial resolution supported by robust systems.

Relevance to Arctic Interests

C.2 Weather and Climate Satellite Systems Inventory The following pages contain templates of existing and planned climate and weather satellite systems. C.2.1 Existing Weather and Climate Satellite Systems EUMETSAT Polar System (EPS) Metop Facts in Brief Country: 26 European member states

Operations: EUMETSAT - European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites Status: In operation, series of 3 satellites (Metop A, B & C), first satellite launched 2006. Mission Duration: Satellite mission design life span of 14 years; each of 3 satellite has a nominal lifetime in orbit of five years, with six month overlap between consecutive satellites. Coverage: Global coverage (in conjunction with NOAA satellite from USA) Orbit: Metop satellite from Europe and NOAA satellite from USA fly in complimentary LEO polar orbits designed to ensure global data coverage at intervals of no more than six hours. Key Service Areas: operational meteorological and environmental forecasting and global climate monitoring Web link: http://www.eumetsat.int/Home/Main/Satellites/Metop/MissionOverview/index.htm?l=en The prime objective of the EUMETSAT Polar System (EPS) Metop mission series is to provide continuous, long-term data sets, in support of operational meteorological and environmental forecasting and global climate monitoring. The Metop series is part of the Initial Joint Polar-Orbiting Operational Satellite System (IJPS) constellation, along with the NOAA-N and -N’ satellites. Together, the satellite series provide global coverage. The launch of Metop has brought about improved capacity and sophistication in the way the Earth’s weather, climate and environment are observed and aims to improve operational meteorology, in particular Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP). Measurements from infrared and microwave radiometers and sounders provide NWP models with information on the global atmospheric temperature and humidity structure, with a high vertical and horizontal resolution. EPS also ensures continuity in the long-term monitoring of factors that impact climate change. In particular, the Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) instrument has the ability to detect and accurately measure the levels and circulation patterns of gases that are known to influence the climate, such as carbon dioxide. Temperature, wind, gases, precipitation, humidity, ice/snow coverage, clouds, water, ocean surface temperatures and winds An ongoing understanding of climate change and weather patterns is important to effectively managing Arctic activities ranging from commercial shipping and fishing, to the exploitation of natural resources and energy and the continuity of the traditional indigenous ways of life. To this end, Metop services include monitoring global atmospheric temperatures and humidity; monitoring seasonal variations in ozone and tracking any developments; providing data for vegetation indices, displaying the changing vegetation on the surface of the Earth; providing maps of snow and ice cover, used by, for example, in transport and tourism industries and ocean monitoring as a key indicator of climate changes.

Mission Objectives

System Capabilities

Measured Parameters

Relevance to Arctic Interests

CONTRIBUTION OF SPACE TECHNOLOGIES TO ARCTIC POLICY PRIORITIES 84