Description
The GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences operates a satellite receiving station at Ny-Ålesund, Spitsbergen to receive data from research satellites in polar orbits. Satellites in polar orbits can be received in Germany not more often than 4 to 5 times per day (due to the rotation of the Earth). The same satellites appear over Ny-Ålesund about 15 times per day, allowing data reception approximately 95 minutes after onboard measurement. The fast availability of the data is the precondition for applications with tight time constraints. An example is the data of satellite-measured GNSS atmosphere sounding instruments which is used to improve weather forecasting and climate research. The frequent contacts to the satellites also support a good health monitoring of the satellite systems so that onboard technical problems may be detected early. The receiving activities at Ny-Ålesund started with the regular reception of the CHAMP satellite in 2001. Several more satellites have been or are still received and the station will serve as the primary downlink station for the GRACE Follow On mission (2 satellites, launch in April 2018). The station also provides support for smaller (low cost) satellite projects, such as the satellite Flying Laptop (built by students at University of Stuttgart).
