(U) Geodetic/Geophysical Satellite (GEOSAT)

(The effects of any budget/program decisions made since the information was collected during 1997-98 are NOT reflected in the National Security Space Road Map (NSSRM).)

Overview: (U)
(U)  The Navy maintains a critical but relatively small space remote sensing program that conducts research and development on Navy-unique or mission critical sensors.  These meteorological and oceanography (METOC) programs are complementary to the DMSP and NPOESS programs. The Navy also develops, launches and controls sensors and/or satellites when naval requirements cannot be satisfied by DMSP or civil satellite programs.

Description: (U)
(U) The GEOdetic SATellite (GEOSAT) was a dedicated US Navy military oceanographic satellite consisting of a radar altimeter designed to obtain closely spaced, precise mapping of the earth's geoid over the ocean. GEOSAT featured an altimeter designed by the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL) to measure the marine gravity field as accurately as possible. The Geodetic Mission lasted from March 1985 to September 1986, but because of the importance of the mission to the U.S. Navy, the first 18 months were classified and unavailable to the public. The Navy declassified the first set of GEOSAT data in 1990 that covered a doughnut-shaped area of ocean that surrounds Antarctica between 60 and 72 degrees south latitude. In 1992, the U.S.  Navy declassified all Geodetic Mission (GM) radar altimeter data acquired by the GEOSAT satellite over oceanic regions south of 30 degrees South. The GEOSAT data for the entire global sea surface was declassified in July 1995. 

(U)  The shipboard satellite receiver/processor system, AN/SMQ-11, allows direct downlink of satellite imagery to 29 ships (CV(N)s, LHA, LHD, and Command Ships) and 33 shore Meteorology and Oceanography (METOC) facilities and detachments worldwide. The AN/SMQ-11 provides satellite data to the Tactical Environmental Support System (TESS) and other tactical systems for situational awareness.

User Impact: (U)
(U) To be supplied.

Programmatics: (U)
(U) Operational.
	(U) Termination: 05/1997 (3QFY1997).
		(U)  Launch of GFO -1  4QFY97
(U)  Start AN/SMQ -11 Processor Upgrade  1QFY98
(U)  Complete GFO - 2/WINDSAT design study  FY98
(U)  Installation on LHD and CVN  FY98
(U)  Installation on LHD and CVN  FY99
(U)  Start AN/SMQ -11 Antenna Upgrade 2QFY00

Related Initiatives: (U)
(U) AN/SMQ-11, Atlas, Eastern Range, GEOSAT Follow-On

Related Requirements: (U)
(U) None.

Related Categories: (U)
(U) Space Systems

Road Map Placements: (U)
(U) ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING.

Lead Office: (U)
(U) Navy.

Date of Information: (U)
07 August 1997

(The effects of any budget/program decisions made since the information was collected during 1997-98 are NOT reflected in the National Security Space Road Map (NSSRM).)