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4 Environmental Satellites
Pages 43-53

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From page 43...
... In the 1970s, in an effort to assist in the transition of satellite observational data from research to operations, NASA conducted the Operational Satellite Improvement Program (OSIP) that was responsible for developing new instruments for environmental satellites.
From page 44...
... Because environmental satellites currently provide the only effective means of covering the entire globe in a short period of time, the climate research community depends on satellite coverage for many of the studies of climate processes and overall climate monitoring. The NRC Committee on Global Change Research suggested that NASA's Earth Science Enterprise (ESE)
From page 45...
... PLANNING FOR TRANSITIONS After a new observing system is developed and deployed operationally, the taxpayer does not benefit by receiving improved forecasts until the new observations are included in the forecast preparation process. This inclusion is, in general, very complex, and requires close collaboration between the instrument designers and the data assimilation scientist.
From page 46...
... Current plans do not appear adequate to ensure reasonable accessibility of archived NPOESS data. Several NRC reports have also expressed concern regarding a national commitment for ensuring that long-term monitoring of earth from space takes place (NRC l99Sc, 1999b)
From page 47...
... Given the advances in the private sector with Internet data webs, NASA and NOAA need to be more forward looking with respect to incorporating advances in data base systems for the delivery of data to users. COORDINATION AMONG OBSERVATIONAL SYSTEMS The transition to the NPOESS satellite observational system has focused on the difficulty of combining the mission and research requirements of NOAA, DOD, and NASA.
From page 48...
... . International Observation and Data Access Partnerships BASC believes that an efficient, robust data archiving system is at the core of effectively linking research to operations, the generation of advanced forecast products, and continual data utilization for the public good.
From page 49...
... The NPOESS planning process has not yet addressed the need for archiving the resulting data, and there is little effort being devoted to the process of integrating in situ and satellite observations to create a more efficient observational system. NASA's Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM)
From page 50...
... Robust programs of technologic development, exploratory sensor development, and research missions at NASA are needed to enable a continuous push toward improved capability and innovative product development. In turn, a continuing process similar to the former OSIP can assess the state of research and operational technology and update NPOESS as needed to accomplish its national mission.
From page 51...
... The objective is to develop a timely feedback and advanced planning component of the NPOESS process that ensures a more rapid transition of new observations to operational use. Within NOAA, these efforts could be closely linked to the development, testing, and integration facility at NOAA's EMC that was recommended earlier in this report (see Chapter 3~.
From page 52...
... The NPOESS program has set up a variety of review teams related to science, algorithm performance, etc. The team in Recommendation Satellite-2 can assist the NPOESS program in developing the archiving requirements for the NPOESS user communities.
From page 53...
... This is a key issue that is likely to expand as the forecasting family expands to include atmospheric chemistry, health, and other variables. To facilitate the data assimilation process and therefore accelerate the transition of the use of disparate and complex data into operational forecasting, the first steps might focus on national and international sounding capabilities and the importance of developing a consistent, high-quality, long-term observational capability (NRC, 1 99Sa)


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