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COOL News -- As of Thursday, October
16,
2003
X-Band Makes Its Permanent Mark --
Oct. 11, 2003
 Since
1993, the Coastal Ocean Observation Lab has been collecting and processing
satellite data using a L-band satellite ground station system, which was
purchased from SeaSpace Corporation.
 This
L-band satellite system has allowed the RU-COOL group to track and gather
satellite data from NOAA-12,
NOAA-16,
NOAA-17,
SeaWiFS, FY1-C,
and FY1-D
satellites.
Recently, the RU-COOL group was funded by the National
Science Foundation for research work on the Lagrangian
Transport and Transportation Experiment (LATTE). This research project
will be extended into other research projects that the RUCOOL group is
involved in, such as red tide research, ocean currents, upwellings, etc.
The principle investigators for the Lagrangian project are Drs. Robert
Chant, Scott Glenn, and Oscar Schofield, along with other collaborating
scientists.
After careful planning and preparation was made for this project, it
was decided that another satellite ground system was needed. This new
system would be needed for research data that the LATTE project was
seeking. Thus, after researching other satellite ground system companies,
RUCOOL sought out to purchase a X-band satellite ground system from SeaSpace
Corporation.
X-band is the latest technology in satellite data transmission. If offers
a faster data transmission rate than RU-COOL's current SeaSpace L-Band satellite
dish. This faster rate is necessary for the larger volume of data
generated by the sensors on today's earth monitoring satellites. This
system will compliment RU-COOL's existing system, allowing them to expand
their tracking and data collection ability to some of the latest ocean color
remote sensing satellites including NASA's MODIS satellites and the Indian
Oceansat satellite.
In order to prepare for this new X-band satellite system, RU-COOL's
L-band system had to be upgraded with software, and program scripts had be
to revised and/or rewritten. During this time, the L-band system was
unable to provide updated real-time SST data to various users.
Fortunately, the users were very supportive and understanding of the RU-COOL's
transition and upgrade.
Now that the X-band satellite ground system is completed, Rutgers and
SeaSpace are working together to check both computer systems that are
housed in the rack casing. The computer systems are undergoing status and
system checks.
The L-Band back up and operational, and sea
surface temperature images are being posted to the websites. The
automation script has just been completed.
The X-Band system is not operational to provide data products to our
users yet. The RU-COOL group is working diligently to launch the X-band's
capabilities for the 2004 Summer Experiment for the LATTE project.
Platform Arrives
 On
October 4th, many people in New Jersey were enjoying their Saturday
morning sleeping in, but Ms. Jennifer Bosch (Director of Satellite
Operations) spent her Saturday making sure that a 14-feet high steel platform was
properly lifted and installed on the roof of the Institute of Marine and
Coastal Sciences building.
This steel metal platform was built, and installed on top of the
Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences building to assure that the 3.6
meter satellite dish will be able to track data from it once it rises
above our horizon, and stops collecting data when it drops below the next
horizon. With the system on a platform, no disruption occurs even though
there being neighboring Rutgers buildings around.
Despite the weather being grey and wet, the platform installation was a
success. Now all was needed was the arrival of the X-band satellite system
crates and the two SeaSpace associates who would be responsible for the
installation.
X-Band Arrives
  On
Wednesday, October 7, the trucking company arrived with a large tractor
trailer hauling large satellite crates.
The trick to this whole arrival was getting these massively heavy
crates out of the truck, and into the appropriate storage areas.
In the one image, the truck is propped open to take out the heavier
crates out, where they would be stored in the corral area of the
Institute. In the second image, a forklift is shown carrying the heaviest
of all 5 crates. This crate contains the base metal frame of the 3.6 m
satellite dish.
After getting the large crates into the corral, it was now time
to unload the sensitive crates into the loading dock of the Institute.
Here in the image, the satellite pedestal crate and the crate containing
all the computer systems are being unloaded into the Institute's loading
dock area.
Prepping for the Installation
 Mike
Crowley and Ben Saunders from SeaSpace Corporation arrive on October 9,
and together with Jennifer Bosch run through the schedule of what will
happen, what needs to be done, etc. The three of them have a satellite
operations meeting in the RU-COOL lab, while sitting in front of the HF
Radar working bench.
 After
going through the week's plans for the satellite installation, both Mike
Crowley and Ben Saunders loaded up the computer system rack, which houses
both the L-band system's data and acquisition system and the X-band
acquisition system, as well as housing a small computer server and all the
adapters and power supplies.
  In
order to set up this rack, the L-band cable and computer system was
disabled as a precaution to electrical, computer, and building issues. As
a result of this, real-time satellite data was placed on hold.
 On
Friday, October 10, the SeaSpace Associates started to piece together the
base frame of the radome
and the 3.6 meter satellite dish. 
 In
order to build the satellite dish, one of the large crates had to be
opened. Making sure that all the bolts and screws were set and tight, Mike
Crowley worked inside the top of the dish, while Ben Saunders worked on
the bottom outside of the dish.
X-Band Installation
On Saturday, October 11, 2003 Mike Crowley and Ben Saunders of SeaSpace
Corporation, Rutgers Facilities, and Jennifer Bosch and other associates of the
RU-COOL group were all working at 5:30 AM piecing together the X-band
satellite ground station.
Throughout the day, they built the satellite system with the help of many
people. At about 5:30 PM, the satellite system was completed. Thus, it was
a full 12-hr day for everyone.
Below are snapshots of what happened during their 12-hours of work on a
Saturday:
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Base of radome being constructed together at 6:00
AM.
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Now to take out the radome pieces from the crate
& put them all together.
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SeaSpace and RU-COOL work together piecing
the bottom-half of the radome.
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The bottom-half of the radome is now completed.
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Now to piece together the top-half of the radome.
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Here is the top-half of the radome half
completed.
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The large crane arrives after lunchtime to lift
everything.
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Since the pedestal is very sensitive to moisture,
it was left in the loading dock waiting to be brought over.
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Now that the radome pieces are completed, the
pedestal is brought over to the site.
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SeaSpace checks that the pedestal is fine before
it is lifted into the radome.
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Getting the "okay", the crane lifts the
pedestal into the bottom-half of the radome.
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Slowly the pedestal is lowered into the radome,
making sure it is in the center.
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From a rooftop view, one can see that the
pedestal was properly centered in the radome.
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Now that the pedestal is inside, time to put the
satellite dish onto the pedestal.
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Slowly again, the crane lifts the mesh satellite
dish from the ground and into the radome.
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To make sure that the satellite dish connects to
the pedestal, SeaSpace gets into the radome and guide the dish down.
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With the dish properly in place, bolts and screws
are tightened by one SeaSpace person, while the other makes sure
that the dish does not move.
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With everything all inside, the top-half is now
lifted to complete the whole radome for the 3.6 m satellite dish.
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To secure the top and bottom, SeaSpace caulks
them together.
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The whole radome is now harnessed for the crane
to lift it on top of the IMCS building.
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Slowly this massive satellite system is lifted up
to the North side of the IMCS building.
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The crane slowly turns for the satellite system
to be swung over to the rooftop.
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A sky view of the radome harnessed by the crane.
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The satellite system has successfully been placed
on top of the steel platform.
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Now the welder, with the help of Scott Glenn,
welds the bottom of the satellite system to the steel platform.
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Together, Mike Crowley, Scott Glenn, and the
welder make sure that the satellite system is welded.
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Scott Glenn holds down the clamp so that the
welder can properly weld the steel feet to the steel platform frame.
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Acknowledgements
The Rutgers and SeaSpace crew would like to extend their thanks and
appreciation to all the Rutgers Facilities people,
Alicia Rodriguez,
Rutgers University Police Department, Brunnquell
Iron Works, Inc., Marlboro
Steel Erectors, Maul
Electric, the electricians, the crane
operator, and the welder for their help in making this satellite
installation a great success.
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