OBJECTIVES

CGMS provides a forum for the exchange of technical information on geostationary and polar-orbiting meteorological satellite systems and research & development missions, such as:

• current meteorological satellite status and future plans,
• telecommunications matters,
• operations,
• intercalibration of sensors,
• processing algorithms,
• products and their validation,
• data transmission formats and
• future data transmission standards.

CGMS harmonises to the extent possible meteorological satellite mission parameters such as orbits, sensors, data formats and downlink frequencies.

CGMS encourages complementarity, compatibility and possible mutual back-up in the event of system failure through cooperative mission planning, compatible meteorological data products and services and the coordination of space and data-related activities, thus complementing the work of other international satellite coordinating mechanisms. [ CGMS Global Contingency Plan ]

Membership

CGMS Membership is open to all operators of meteorological satellites, to prospective operators having a clear commitment to develop and operate such satellites, and to the WMO, because of its unique role as representative of the world meteorological data user community. Further CGMS Membership is open to space agencies operating R&D satellite systems that have the potential to contribute to WMO and supported programmes.

 

[ CGMS Charter ]