Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I) Level 3 Mapped Hemispheric Surface and Precipitation Products

The Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) satellites collect visible and infrared cloud imagery as well as monitoring the atmospheric, oceanographic, hydrologic, cryospheric and near-Earth space environments. The DMSP program maintains a constellation of sun-synchronous, near-polar orbiting satellites. The orbital period is 101 minutes and inclination is 99 degrees. The atmospheric and oceanographic sensors record radiances at visible, infrared and microwave wavelengths. The solar geophysical sensors measure ionospheric plasma fluxes, densities, temperatures and velocities. DMSP visible and infrared imagery of clouds covers a 3,000 km swath, thus each satellite provides global coverage of both day night time conditions each day. The field view of the microwave imagers and sounders is only 1,500 km thus approximately 3 days data are required for one instrument to provide global coverage at equatorial latitudes. The solar geophysical instruments make in-situ measurements of ionospheric parameters, some of which vary very rapidly. The NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (formerly National Geophysical Data Center) receive the complete DMSP data stream from the Air Force Weather Agency (AFWA), Offutt Air Force Base, Omaha, Nebraska. Data are currently transmitted in near real time from AFWA directly to the archive via a designated T1 line. Archive processing prepares orbital data sets of calibrated, quality assessed data organized as a time-series, restores data lost during transmission, and accurately computes satellite positions. NCEI maintains an archive of all data recorded on DMSP satellites as relayed to The NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (formerly National Geophysical Data Center) by the Air Force Weather Agency. Data from March 1992 to March 1994, are considered to be experimental. After March 1994, the system was fully operational. NCEI archives contain data that are post process reconstructed, positioned and geolocated using the same software.

Dataset Citation

Cite this dataset when used as a source.

Dataset Identifiers

gov.noaa.ncdc:C01380

ISO 19115-2 Metadata

C01380

XML


Order Data	NOAA Comprehensive Large Array-data Stewardship System (CLASS) Data Search and Order (order) Search the data archive and submit an order for the dataset via the interface. NOAA Comprehensive Large Array-data Stewardship System (CLASS) Data Search and Order (order) Search the data archive and submit an order for the dataset via the interface. NOAA Comprehensive Large Array-data Stewardship System (CLASS) Data Search and Order (order) Search the data archive and submit an order for the dataset via the interface. NOAA Comprehensive Large Array-data Stewardship System (CLASS) Data Search and Order (order) Search the data archive and submit an order for the dataset via the interface.
Distribution Formats	netCDF
Ordering Instructions	Contact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions.
Distributor	NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information ncei.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact	DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce


Time Period	1992-01-01 to Present
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates	N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180
Spatial Coverage Map


General Documentation	NCEI Dataset Landing Page Landing page for the dataset.


Publication Dates	publication: 1997-04-14
Data Presentation Form	Digital table - digital representation of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in columns
Dataset Progress Status	Ongoing - data is continually being updated
Data Update Frequency	Continual
Purpose	DMSP (Defense Meteorological Satellite Program) is a long-term operational meteorological program of the US DoD (Department of Defense), managed by the USAF and operated by the 6th Satellite Operations Group at Offutt AFB (Air Force Base), Nebraska. The program originated in the early 1960s with the objective to collect and disseminate worldwide cloud cover data on a daily basis (along with oceanographic and solar-geophysical environment parameters). The DMSP system is being used for strategic and tactical weather prediction to aid the US military in planning operations at sea, on land and in the air.
Use Limitations	While every effort has been made to ensure that these data are accurate and reliable within the limits of the current state of the art, NOAA cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in the data, nor as a result of the failure of the data to function on a particular system. NOAA makes no warranty, expressed or implied, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty.


Dataset Citation	Cite this dataset when used as a source.
Cited Authors	DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Originators	DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Publishers	DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce


Theme keywords	Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords Earth Science > Atmosphere Earth Science > Biosphere Earth Science > Oceans Earth Science > Spectral/Engineering Earth Science > Sun-Earth Interactions
Data Center keywords	Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Platform keywords	Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Platform Keywords DMSP (Defense Meteorological Satellite Program)
Instrument keywords	Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords OLS > Operational Linescan System SSM/I > Special Sensor Microwave/Imager SSM/T > Special Sensor Microwave/Temperature SSJ/4 > Precipitating Electron/Ion Spectrometer SSI/ES > Special Sensor Ionospheric Plasma Monitor SSM > Special Sensor Magnetometer
Place keywords	Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords Geographic Region > Global
Project keywords	Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Project Keywords ICSU-WDS > International Council for Science - World Data System


Use Constraints	Cite this dataset when used as a source. Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
Access Constraints	Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.
Fees	In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.

Use Constraints

Cite this dataset when used as a source.

Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.

Access Constraints

Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.

Fees

In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.

Lineage information for: dataset
Lineage Statement

Lineage information for: repository
Processing Steps	2015-04-22T00:00:00 - NOAA created the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) by merging NOAA's National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC), and National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC), including the National Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC), per the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, Public Law 113-235. NCEI launched publicly on April 22, 2015.

Last Modified: 2023-06-23

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