ISCS Description

ISCS is a satellite data distribution system operated by the United States National Weather Service (NWS), providing support to (1) the World Area Forecast System (WAFS), and (2) the Region IV Meteorological Telecommunications Network (RMTN).  Verizon (formerly MCI), under NWS contract, operates the satellite broadcast communications service for ISCS. Click here for ISCS operations poster (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader).

ISCS support for WAFS is on behalf of the International Civil Aviation organization (ICAO) and World Meteorological Organization (WMO).  ISCS/WAFS purpose is to provide the worldwide aviation community with operational meteorological forecasts and information about meteorological phenomena required for flight planning and safe, economic, and efficient air navigation.  As a real-time, point to multi-point service, it operates on a 24-hour/365-day basis.   NWS obtains funding support for ISCS/WAFS from the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). 

ISCS support  for RMTN is part of a cooperative effort between NWS and WMO to improve the Global Telecommunications System (GTS), in WMO Region IV (North and Central America).  RMTN allows for a two-way exchange of meteorological information between the United States and nations in the Caribbean and Central America.  It replaced a much slower, less reliable,  "daisy chain" of terrestrial circuits.  For more RMTN information, click here.

ISCS broadcasts utilize three commercial geostationary satellites, (1) INTELSAT 903, located over the Atlantic Ocean, for broadcast to the Atlantic Ocean area, including North and South America, Central America, and the Caribbean, and (2) INTELSAT 701 and (3) 906, located over the Pacific Ocean, for broadcasts to the Pacific Ocean Area and Eastern Asia.   The broadcasts provide data to over 80 countries (see Atlantic Ocean area countries, Pacific Ocean area countries, RMTN affiliated countries).  The ISCS satellite uplinks are located at two Verizon International Gateways --  in Andover, Maine, and Yacolt, Washington. 

Aviation (WAFS) meteorological broadcasts for the rest of the world (Europe, Africa, Middle East, and Western Asia) are provided by the United Kingdom (UK) Meteorological Office, utilizing the INTELSAT 604 satellite located over the Indian Ocean.  The UK WAFS program is known as the Satellite Distribution System (SADIS). 

ISCS and SADIS are the two components of the worldwide WAFS program, providing vital meteorological support for flight planning and air traffic management throughout the world. For additional WAFS information, click here.  To view the GRIB-2 transition plan click here.