The ESOC "Meteor alert center" (MALC) and its application during the 1999 Leonid shower

Spacecraft operators were concerned that the high number density of meteoro id particles during the anticipated 1999 Leonid meteor storm might result i n damage to spacecraft. Switching off a spacecraft is expensive and operato rs try to avoid it, which created a need for real time monitoring systems. At the Space Science Department of ESA, we designed a near-real time meteor monitoring system, displaying observational information at the European Sp ace Operations Center (ESOC) in Darmstadt, Germany. The system consisted of software tools that connect automatic video systems in the field with a ce ntral data node. Here, we describe the design, implementation, setup and re sults of the system. Wireless communication was implemented by means of the Global System for Mobile (GSM) communication. Unfortunately, during the op erational phase this communication system failed. Conventional transmission by telephone was used instead. Results of the near real time reporting are presented and discussed.