Use of satellite communication of hydrometric data for the whole of Brazil

Abstract

The difficulties of exploiting the huge Brazilian hydrometeorological network led hydrologists of the Departamento Nacional de Águas e Energie Elétrica (DNAEE—Brazilian Department of Water and Electric Power) to use real time satellite telecommunications to improve network management. Data-gathering satellites, which are perfectly adapted to this network, were first used in 1975 and have interested DNAEE since 1980. Collaboration with ORSTOM permitted an initial evaluation of the technique in 1982. In 1984 DNAEE, together with ORSTOM, was able to set up a 20-station network in the Amazon. The results have been so encouraging that a scheme for 200 stations equipped with telecommunications facilities which use the Brazilian Satélite de Colecta de Dados number 1 (SCD1) satellite is in the final stages. This network will cover the entire country.