Short-Term Forecast of the Signal Propagation Conditions, Based on Numerical Weather Prediction, Radar, and SatCom Ground Terminal Data

Numerical weather prediction products, radar products, and user terminal observations are used to estimate propagation conditions for the nearest hours lead time. Validation results show good correspondence between predictions and observations using beacon data and user terminal data, but with an increasing error with longer lead time forecasts. Initial results include system estimates of an improved SatCom system with smart gateways taking short term propagation condition forecasts into account.