Formosat3 / COSMIC (F3C) is a joint Taiwan - US science mission for weather, climate, space weather and geodetic research. The F3C mission was successfully launched into a circular ~ 500 km low-Earth orbit from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California on 15 April 2006. Six identical micro satellites, each carrying an advanced GPS radio occultation receiver, a Tiny Ionospheric Photometer (TIP) and a Tri Band Beacon (TBB) were deployed successfully. All satellites and payloads are working well. After the check-out period operational processing of the data from the constellation will begin, and a quantum leap in RO data volume and quality can be expected.

This initial post-launch workshop has the following objectives:
1. Update the user community on the status of the mission
2. Status of data processing and data availability
3. Early processing results, and experiences with GPS, TIP and TBB data
4. Plans and status of validation experiments, campaigns, or other projects in the neutral atmosphere and ionosphere
5. Status of orbit determination - orbit quality of the LEOs
6. Data assimilation into numerical model and early science results

We invite participants that have used or plan to use data from the F3C mission to contribute presentations or posters to this workshop. The success of the mission depends on broad participation from the science community and we are looking forward to feedback that will help us improve our data products.

Separate from this workshop, there is another related workshop to be held in Taipei, Taiwan on Nov. 28-Dec. 1, 2006: "FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC Workshop 2006 - Early Results and IOP Campaigns." Please see http://formosat3.ncu.edu.tw for more details. You are welcome to participate in both.

Workshop Cost: $150.00 US dollars if registration and payment completed before 9/15/2006.
$200.00 US dollars if registration and payment completed after 9/15/2006.

Dates: The workshop will be held Monday through Wednesday, 16-18 October 2006.

Location: Boulder, Colorado U.S.A - The workshop will be held at the CG1 conference facility at the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR).

Hotels: Participants are expected to make their own reservations.
The Residence Inn Marriott will provide a rate of $109/night which includes a full breakfast and an evening social hour (M-Th). Each room is equipped with a full kitchen, including microwave and coffee maker and free high speed internet access. The Marriott is holding a block of 25 rooms for the COSMIC Data User's Workshop until 9/15/06. You can make a reservation on the following web site: marriott.com/VBOCG, enter group code: FCDFCDC or by calling 303.449.5545. If you have questions, you can contact the Marriott Sales Coordinator directly, jennifer.ford@marriott.com. The Residence Inn is next to UCAR's Center Green 1 building within close walking distance the workshop.

The Best Western Golden Buff Lodge will provide a rate of $69/night which includes coupons for a deluxe continental breakfast for each night's stay. The hotel will hold a block of 20 rooms for the COSMIC Data User's Workshop until 9/15/06. You can contact the hotel directly for reservations, 303.442.7450. The Golden Buff is ~10 minute car ride from the workshop. However, it is near (across the street) the UCAR shuttle stop which will take you to the workshop at UCAR's Center Green 1 building.

Travel: Participants are expected to make their own travel arrangements. For more traveling information click here.

UCAR Shuttle: Participants are welcome to use the UCAR Shuttle. Especially those staying at the Golden Bluff since the shuttle stops at Crossroads Mall. For more information click here.
Click here for the Crossroads Stop