Module Overview

This first module in the series on polar satellite meteorology will provide an overview of the current operational POES satellites and a small sample of the many meteorological products and their uses in operational weather forecasting.

The module begins with a comparison of key POES and GOES satellite characteristics and capabilities. Next, an overview of instrument configurations and their respective meteorological observing capabilities onboard both civilian (NOAA) and military (DMSP) spacecraft is presented.

A preview of POES imagery and selected products follows. The list of products highlights some of the many uses of POES data important to operational analysis and forecasting such as:

The POES History section offers a closer look at the development of civilian and military meteorological POES satellites in the U.S. from the very first flight of a polar orbiter in April of 1960. Polar orbiters not only became the first operational meteorological satellites, but, since their inception they have served as a valuable proving ground for innovative imaging and sounding technologies onboard both POES and GOES. A self-test is provided at the end of the module to help evaluate what you've learned by completing this module.