Polar-Orbiting Environmental Satellites: Status, Plans, and Future Data Management Challenges (07/24/2002, GAO-02-684T}
-------------------------Indexing Terms-------------------------
REPORTNUM: GAO-02-684T
TITLE: Polar-Orbiting Environmental Satellites: Status, Plans, and Future Data Management Challenges
DATE: 07/24/2002
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Testimony:
Before the Subcommittee on Environment, Technology, and Standards,
Committee on Science, House of Representatives:
United States General Accounting Office:
GAO:
For Release on Delivery Expected at
10:00 a.m. EDT
Wednesday,
July 24, 2002:
POLAR-ORBITING ENVIRONMENTAL SATELLITES:
Status, Plans, and Future Data Management Challenges:
:
Statement of Linda D. Koontz
Director, Information Management Issues:
GAO-02-684T:
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Mr. Chairman and Members of the Subcommittee:
We appreciate the opportunity to join in today�s hearing to discuss our
work on the planned National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental
Satellite System (NPOESS). At your request, we will discuss our
nation�s current polar-orbiting weather satellite program, plans for
NPOESS, and key challenges in managing future NPOESS data volumes.
In brief, today�s polar-orbiting environmental satellite program is a
complex infrastructure encompassing two satellite systems, supporting
ground stations, and four central data processing centers that provide
general weather information and specialized environmental products to a
variety of users, including weather forecasters, military strategists,
and the public. NPOESS is planned to merge the two satellite systems
into a single state-of-the-art environment monitoring satellite system,
at a significant cost savings. This new satellite system is expected to
provide vast streams of data, far more than are currently handled by
the four processing centers and weather information users.
To handle this increased volume of satellite data, the four processing
centers will need to build up their respective infrastructures, and
they will need to work to efficiently incorporate new data into their
weather products and models. Because the NPOESS launch is several years
in the future, agencies have time to plan for expanding their
infrastructures and models so that they can handle the increased data
volumes that NPOESS will provide. Each of the processing centers is
planning activities to build its capacity to handle increased volumes
of data, but more can be done to coordinate and focus these plans.
The approach we used to perform this work--our objectives, scope, and
methodology--is provided in appendix I.
Polar Satellite Program Overview:
Since the 1960s, the United States has operated two separate polar-
orbiting meteorological satellite systems. These systems are known as
the Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellites (POES),
managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration�s (NOAA)
National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service
(NESDIS), and the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP),
managed by the Department of Defense (DOD). These satellites obtain
environmental data that are processed to provide graphical weather
images and specialized weather products, and that are the predominant
input to numerical weather prediction models--all used by weather
forecasters, the military, and the public. Polar satellites also
provide data used to monitor environmental phenomena, such as ozone
depletion and drought conditions, as well as data sets that are used by
researchers for a variety of studies, such as climate monitoring.
Polar Satellite Infrastructure:
Unlike geostationary satellites, which maintain a fixed position above
the earth, polar-orbiting satellites constantly circle the Earth in an
almost north-south orbit, providing global coverage of conditions that
affect the weather and climate. Each satellite makes about 14 orbits a
day. As the earth rotates beneath it, each satellite views the entire
earth�s surface twice a day. Today, there are two operational POES
satellites and two operational DMSP satellites that are positioned so
that they can observe the earth in early morning, morning, and
afternoon polar orbits. Together, they ensure that for any region of
the earth, the data are generally no more than 6 hours old. Figure 1
illustrates the current operational polar satellite configuration.
Besides the four operational satellites, there are five older
satellites in orbit that still collect some data and are available to
provide some limited backup to the operational satellites should they
degrade or fail. In the future, both NOAA and DOD plan to continue to
launch additional POES and DMSP satellites every few years, with final
launches scheduled for 2008 and 2009, respectively.
Figure 1: :
Figure 2: Figure 1: Configuration of Operational Polar Satellites:
DMSP:
:
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:
:
POES:
:
1:30 PM:
:
:
:
:
7:30 AM:
:
5:30 AM:
:
:
8:30 AM:
:
:
Notional local equatorial crossing times Time:
:
:
POES:
:
:
DMSP:
:
:
:
Source: NPOESS Integrated Program Office.
:
Each of the polar satellites carries a suite of sensors designed to
detect environmental data either reflected or emitted from the earth,
the atmosphere, and space. The satellites store these data and then
transmit the data to NOAA and Air Force ground stations when the
satellites pass overhead. The ground stations then relay the data via
communications satellites to the appropriate meteorological centers for
processing.
Under a shared processing agreement among the four processing centers-
-NESDIS,[Footnote 1] the Air Force Weather Agency, Navy�s Fleet
Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center, and the Naval
Oceanographic Office--different centers are responsible for producing
and distributing different environmental data sets, specialized weather
and oceanographic products, and weather prediction model outputs via a
shared network. Each of the four processing centers is also responsible
for distributing the data to its respective users. For the DOD centers,
the users include regional meteorology and oceanography centers as well
as meteorology and oceanography staff on military bases. NESDIS
forwards the data to the National Weather Service for distribution and
use by forecasters. The processing centers also use the Internet to
distribute data to the general public. NESDIS is responsible for the
long-term archiving of data and derived products from POES and DMSP.
In addition to the infrastructure supporting satellite data processing
noted above, properly equipped field terminals that are within a direct
line of sight of the satellites can receive real-time data directly
from the polar-orbiting satellites. There are an estimated 150 such
field terminals operated by the U.S. government, many by DOD. Field
terminals can be taken into areas with little or no data communications
infrastructure--such as on a battlefield or ship--and enable the
receipt of weather data directly from the polar-orbiting satellites.
These terminals have their own software and processing capability to
decode and display a subset of the satellite data to the user. Figure 2
depicts a generic data relay pattern from the polar-orbiting satellites
to the data processing centers and field terminals.
Figure 3: Figure 2: Generic Data Relay Pattern for the Polar
Meteorological Satellite System:
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Polar Satellite Data, Products, and Uses:
Polar satellites gather a broad range of data that are transformed into
a variety of products for many different uses. Satellite sensors
observe different bands of radiation wavelengths, called channels,
which are used for remotely determining information about the earth�s
atmosphere, land surface, oceans, and the space environment. When first
received, satellite data are considered raw data.[Footnote 2] To make
them usable, the processing centers format the data so that they are
time-sequenced and include earth location and calibration information.
After formatting, these data are called raw data records. The centers
further process these raw data records into channel-specific data sets,
called sensor data records and temperature data records. These data
records are then used to derive weather products called environmental
data records (EDR). EDRs range from atmospheric products detailing
cloud coverage, temperature, humidity, and ozone distribution; to land
surface products showing snow cover, vegetation, and land use; to ocean
products depicting sea surface temperatures, sea ice, and wave height;
to characterizations of the space environment. Combinations of these
data records (raw, sensor, temperature, and environmental data records)
are also used to derive more sophisticated products, including outputs
from numerical weather models and assessments of climate trends. Figure
3 is a simplified depiction of the various stages of data processing.
Figure 4: Figure 3: Satellite Data Processing Steps:
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:
EDRs can be either images or quantitative data products. Image EDRs
provide graphical depictions of the weather and are used to observe
meteorological and oceanographic phenomena to track operationally
significant events (such as tropical storms, volcanic ash,[Footnote 3]
and icebergs), and to provide quality assurance for weather prediction
models.
The following figures present some polar-orbiting satellite images.
Figure 4 is an image from a DMSP satellite showing an infrared picture
taken over the west Atlantic Ocean. Figure 5 is a POES image of
Hurricane Floyd, which struck the southern Atlantic coastline in 1999.
Figure 6 is a polar-satellite image used to detect volcanic ash clouds,
in particular the ash cloud resulting from the eruption of Mount Etna
in 2001. Figure 7 shows the location of icebergs near Antarctica in
February 2002.
Figure 5: Figure 4: DMSP Image of the West Atlantic Ocean:
:
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Source: Navy Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center.
Figure 6: :
Figure 7: Figure 5: POES Image of Hurricane Floyd in 1999:
:
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Source: NOAA.
Figure 8: Figure 6: POES Image of Volcanic Ash Cloud from Mt. Etna,
Sicily, in 2001:
Source: NOAA.
Figure 9: Figure 7: DMSP Image of Icebergs Near Antarctica:
Source: Naval/National Ice Center.
Quantitative EDRs are specialized weather products that can be used to
assess the environment and climate or to derive other products. These
EDRs can also be depicted graphically. Figures 8 and 9 are graphic
depictions of quantitative data on sea surface temperature and ozone
measurements, respectively. An example of a product that was derived
from EDRs is provided in figure 10. This product shows how long a
person could survive in the ocean--information used in military as well
as search and rescue operations--and was based on sea surface
temperature EDRs from polar-orbiting satellites.
Figure 10: Figure 8: Analysis of Sea Surface Temperatures from POES
Satellite Data:
:
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Source: NOAA/NESDIS.
Figure 11: Figure 9: Analysis of Ozone Concentration from POES
Satellite Data:
:
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Source: NESDIS.
Figure 12: Figure 10: Analysis of Water Survivability off the Atlantic
Seaboard, January 2002:
:
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Note: Contour lines with blocked numbers depict survival time, in
hours, without a survival suit.
Source: Naval Oceanographic Office.
Another use of quantitative satellite data is in numerical weather
prediction models. Based predominantly on observations from polar-
orbiting satellites and supplemented by data from other sources such as
geostationary satellites, radar, weather balloons, and surface
observing systems, numerical weather prediction models are used to help
forecast atmospheric, land, and ocean conditions hours, days, weeks,
and months into the future. These models require quantitative satellite
data to update their analysis of weather and to produce new forecasts.
Table 1 contains examples of models run by the processing centers.
Figure 11 depicts the output of one common model.
Table 1: Common Numerical Weather Prediction Models Used by Processing
Centers:
Model: Global Forecast System; Purpose: Global weather forecasts;
Processing center: NESDIS/NCEP.
Model: Eta Model; Purpose: Regional weather forecasts; Processing
center: NESDIS/NCEP.
Model: Mesoscale Model 5; Purpose: Regional forecasts; Processing
center: Air Force Weather Agency.
Model: Advect Cloud Model; Purpose: Global cloud forecast and analysis;
Processing center: Air Force Weather Agency.
Model: Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System; Purpose:
Global weather forecasts; Processing center: Navy Fleet Numerical
Meteorology and Oceanography Center.
Model: Coupled Oceanographic and Atmospheric Mesoscale Prediction
System; Purpose: Regional weather forecasts; Processing center: Navy
Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center.
Model: Wave Model; Purpose: Regional oceanographic forecasts;
Processing center: Naval Oceanographic Office.
[End of table]
:
:
Figure 13: Figure 11: Model Output Depicting a 6-Hour Precipitation
Forecast:
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Source: NCEP.
All this information--satellite data, imagery, derived products, and
model output--is used in mapping and monitoring changes in weather,
climate, the ocean, and the environment. These data and products are
provided to weather forecasters for use in issuing weather forecasts
and warnings to the public and to support our nation�s aviation,
agriculture, and maritime communities. Also, weather data and products
are used by climatologists and meteorologists to monitor the
environment. Within the military, these data and products allow
military planners and tactical users to focus on anticipating and
exploiting atmospheric and space environmental conditions. For example,
Air Force Weather Agency officials told us that accurate wind and
temperature forecasts are critical to any decision to launch an
aircraft that will need mid-flight refueling. In addition to these
operational uses of satellite data, there is also a substantial need
for polar satellite data for research. According to experts in climate
research, the research community requires long-term, consistent sets of
satellite data collected sequentially, usually at fixed intervals of
time, in order to study many critical climate processes. Some examples
of research topics include long-term trends in temperature,
precipitation, and snow cover.
The National Polar-Orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite
System:
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Given the expectation that converging the POES and DMSP programs would
reduce duplication and result in sizable cost savings, a May 1994
presidential decision directive required NOAA and DOD to converge the
two satellite programs into a single satellite program capable of
satisfying both civilian and military requirements. The converged
program is called the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental
Satellite System (NPOESS), and it is considered critical to the United
States� ability to maintain the continuity of data required for weather
forecasting and global climate monitoring. To manage this program, DOD,
NOAA, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have
formed a tri-agency integrated program office, located within NOAA.
Within the program office, each agency has the lead on certain
activities. NOAA has overall responsibility for the converged system,
as well as satellite operations; DOD has the lead on the acquisition;
and NASA has primary responsibility for facilitating the development
and incorporation of new technologies into the converged system. NOAA
and DOD share the costs of funding NPOESS, while NASA funds specific
technology projects and studies.
NPOESS Overview:
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NPOESS is a major system acquisition estimated to cost $6.5 billion
over the 24-year period from the inception of the program in 1995
through 2018. The program is to provide satellite development,
satellite launch and operation, and integrated data processing. These
deliverables are grouped into four main categories: (1) the launch
segment, which includes the launch vehicle and supporting equipment,
(2) the space segment, which includes the satellites and sensors,
(3) the interface data processing segment, which includes the data
processing system to be located at the four processing centers, and (4)
the command, control, and communications segment, which includes the
equipment and services needed to support satellite operations.
NPOESS will be a launch-on-demand system, and satellites must be
available to back up the planned launches of the final POES and DMSP
satellites. The first NPOESS satellite--designated C1--is scheduled for
delivery in 2008 and is to be available to back up the planned launch
of the final POES satellite in 2008. If C1 is not needed to back up the
final POES, it will be launched in April 2009. The second NPOESS
satellite is to be available to back up the planned launch of the final
DMSP satellite in late 2009, or if not needed as a backup, it is to be
launched in 2011. Subsequent launches are expected to occur
approximately every 2 years through 2018.
Program acquisition plans call for the procurement and launch of six
NPOESS satellites over the life of the program and the integration of
13 instruments, including 11 environmental sensors and 2 subsystems.
Together, the sensors are to receive and transmit data on atmospheric,
cloud cover, environmental, climate, oceanographic, and solar-
geophysical observations. The subsystems are to support
nonenvironmental search and rescue efforts, as well as environmental
data collection activities. According to the integrated program office,
8 of NPOESS�s 13 instruments involve new technology development,
whereas 5 others are based on existing technologies. The planned
instruments and the state of technology on each are listed in table 2.
Table 2: Expected NPOESS Instruments:
Instrument name: Advanced technology microwave sounder; Description:
This sensor is to measure microwave energy released and scattered by
the atmosphere, and is to be used with infrared sounding data from
NPOESS� cross-track infrared sounder to produce daily global
atmospheric temperature, humidity, and pressure profiles.; State of
technology: New.
Instrument name: Aerosol polarimetry sensor; Description: This sensor
is to retrieve specific aerosol (liquid droplets or solid particles
suspended in the atmosphere, such as sea spray, smog, and smoke) and
cloud measurements.; State of technology: New.
Instrument name: Conical microwave imager/sounder; Description: This
sensor is to collect microwave images and data needed to measure rain
rate, ocean surface wind speed and direction, amount of water in the
clouds, and soil moisture, as well as temperature and humidity at
different atmospheric levels.; State of technology: New.
Instrument name: Cross-track infrared sounder; Description: This sensor
is to collect measurements of the Earth�s radiation to determine the
vertical distribution of temperature, moisture, and pressure in the
atmosphere.; State of technology: New.
Instrument name: Data collection system; Description: This system
collects environmental data from platforms around the world and
delivers them to users worldwide.; State of technology: Existing.
Instrument name: Earth radiation budget sensor; Description: This
sensor measures solar short-wave radiation and long-wave radiation
released by the Earth back into space on a worldwide scale to enhance
long-term climate studies.; State of technology: Existing.
Instrument name: Global positioning system occultation sensor;
Description: This sensor is to measure the refraction of radio wave
signals from the Global Positioning System and Russia�s Global
Navigation Satellite System to characterize the ionosphere.; State of
technology: New.
Instrument name: Ozone mapper/profiler suite; Description: This sensor
is to collect data needed to measure the amount and distribution of
ozone in the Earth�s atmosphere.; State of technology: New.
Instrument name: Radar altimeter; Description: This sensor measures
variances in sea surface height/topography and ocean surface roughness,
which are used to determine sea surface height, significant wave
height, and ocean surface wind speed and to provide critical inputs to
ocean forecasting and climate prediction models.; State of technology:
Existing.
Instrument name: Search and rescue satellite aided tracking system;
Description: This system detects and locates aviators, mariners, and
land-based users in distress.; State of technology: Existing.
Instrument name: Space environmental sensor suite; Description: This
suite of sensors is to collect data to identify, reduce, and predict
the effects of space weather on technological systems, including
satellites and radio links.; State of technology: New.
Instrument name: Total solar irradiance sensor; Description: This
sensor monitors and captures total and spectral solar irradiance data.;
State of technology: Existing.
Instrument name: Visible/infrared imager radiometer suite;
Description: This sensor is to collect images and radiometric data used
to provide information on the Earth�s clouds, atmosphere, ocean, and
land surfaces.; State of technology: New.
[End of table]
:
Unlike the current polar satellite program, in which the four centers
use different approaches to process raw data into the environmental
data records that they are responsible for, NPOESS� integrated data
processing system�to be located at the four centers--is expected to
provide a standard system to produce these data sets and products. The
four processing centers will continue to use these data sets to produce
other derived products, as well as for input to their numerical
prediction models.
NPOESS is planned to produce 55 environmental data records (EDRs),
including atmospheric vertical temperature profile, sea surface
temperature, cloud base height, ocean wave characteristics, and ozone
profile. Some of these EDRs are comparable to existing products,
whereas others are new. The user community designated six of these data
products--supported by four sensors[Footnote 4]--as key EDRs, and noted
that failure to provide them would cause the system to be reevaluated
or the program to be terminated.
Acquisition Strategy:
The NPOESS acquisition program consists of three key phases: the
concept and technology development phase, which lasted from roughly
1995 to early 1997; the program definition and risk reduction phase,
which began in early 1997 and is ongoing now; and the engineering and
manufacturing development and production phase, which is expected to
begin next month and continue through the life of the program. The
concept and technology development phase began with the decision to
converge the POES and DMSP satellites and included early planning for
the NPOESS acquisition. This phase included the successful convergence
of the command and control of existing DMSP and POES satellites at
NOAA�s satellite operations center.
The program definition and risk reduction phase involves both system-
level and sensor-level initiatives. At the system level, the program
office awarded contracts to two competing prime contractors--Lockheed
Martin and TRW--to prepare for NPOESS system performance
responsibility. These contractors are developing unique approaches to
meeting requirements, designing system architectures, and developing
initiatives to reduce sensor development and integration risks. These
contractors will compete for the development and production contract.
At the sensor level, the program office awarded contracts to develop
five sensors.[Footnote 5] These sensors are in varying stages of
development. This phase will end when the development and production
contract is awarded. At that point, the winning contractor will assume
responsibility for managing continued sensor development.
The final phase, engineering and manufacturing development and
production, is expected to begin next month when the development and
production contract is awarded. The program office issued a request for
proposals for the contract in February 2002 and is currently evaluating
proposals, with an expectation of awarding the contract by the end of
August 2002. The winning contractor will assume system performance
responsibility for the overall program. This responsibility includes
all aspects of design, development, integration, assembly, test and
evaluation, operations, and on-orbit support.
Risk Reduction Activities:
In May 1997, the integrated program office assessed the technical,
schedule, and cost risks of key elements of the NPOESS program,
including (1) the launch segment, (2) the space segment, (3) the
interface data processing segment, (4) the command, control, and
communications segment, and (5) the overall system integration. As a
result of this assessment, the program office determined that three
elements had high risk components: the interface data processing
segment, the space segment, and the overall system integration segment.
Specifically, the interface data processing segment and overall system
integration were assessed as high risk in all three areas (technical,
cost, and schedule), whereas the space segment was assessed to be high
risk in the technical and cost areas, and moderate risk in the schedule
area. The launch segment and the command, control, and communications
segment were determined to present low or moderate risks. The program
office expects to reduce its high risk components to low and moderate
risks by the time the development and production contract is awarded,
and to have all risk levels reduced to low before the first launch.
Table 3 displays the results of the 1997 risk assessment as well as the
program office�s projections for those risks by August 2002 and by
first launch.
Table 3: Actual Risk Levels in 1997 and Projected Risk Levels by August
2002 and by First Launch:
Projected risk levels: Technical; Projected risk levels: Schedule;
Projected risk levels: Cost; Projected risk levels: Technical;
Projected risk levels: Schedule; Projected risk levels: Cost; Projected
risk levels: Technical; Projected risk levels by first launch (2008-
2009): Schedule; Projected risk levels by first launch (2008-2009):
Cost.
Area assessed: System integration; Projected risk levels: H; Projected
risk levels: Technical: H; Projected risk levels: Schedule: H;
Projected risk levels: Technical: M; Projected risk levels: Schedule:
M; Projected risk levels: Cost: L; Projected risk levels by first
launch (2008-2009): Technical: L; Projected risk levels by first launch
(2008-2009): Schedule: L; Projected risk levels by first launch (2008-
2009): Cost: L.
Area assessed: Launch segment; Projected risk levels: L; Projected risk
levels: Technical: L; Projected risk levels: Schedule: M; Projected
risk levels: Technical: L; Projected risk levels: Schedule: L;
Projected risk levels: Cost: L; Projected risk levels by first launch
(2008-2009): Technical: L; Projected risk levels by first launch (2008-
2009): Schedule: L; Projected risk levels by first launch (2008-2009):
Cost: L.
Area assessed: Space
segment; Projected risk levels: H; Projected risk levels: Technical: M;
Projected risk levels: Schedule: H; Projected risk levels: Technical:
L; Projected risk levels: Schedule: M; Projected risk levels: Cost: L;
Projected risk levels by first launch (2008-2009): Technical: L;
Projected risk levels by first launch (2008-2009): Schedule: L;
Projected risk levels by first launch (2008-2009): Cost: L.
Area assessed: Interface data processing segment; Projected risk
levels: H; Projected risk levels: Technical: H; Projected risk levels:
Schedule: H; Projected risk levels: Technical: M; Projected risk
levels: Schedule: L; Projected risk levels: Cost: L; Projected risk
levels by first launch (2008-2009): Technical: L; Projected risk levels
by first launch (2008-2009): Schedule: L; Projected risk levels by
first launch (2008-2009): Cost: L.
Area assessed: Command, control, and communications segment; Projected
risk levels: L; Projected risk levels: Technical: L; Projected risk
levels: Schedule: L; Projected risk levels: Technical: L; Projected
risk levels: Schedule: L; Projected risk levels: Cost: L; Projected
risk levels by first launch (2008-2009): Technical: L; Projected risk
levels by first launch (2008-2009): Schedule: L; Projected risk levels
by first launch (2008-2009): Cost: L.
Source: NOAA/Integrated Program Office.
[End of table]
In order to meet its goals of reducing program risks, the program
office developed and implemented an integrated risk reduction program
that includes nine initiatives. While individual initiatives may
address one or more identified risks, the program office anticipated
that the combination of these nine projects would address the risk to
overall system integration. The nine projects are as follows:
* Deferred development: To reduce program risk, the program office
deferred development of 21 EDR requirements either because the
technology needed to implement the requirements did not exist or
because the requirement was too costly. For example, the requirement
for measuring ocean salinity was deferred until the technology needed
to take these measurements has been demonstrated in space. If feasible,
the program office plans to implement these requirements later as
program enhancements.
* Early sensor development: Because environmental sensors have
historically taken 8 years to develop, development of six of the eight
sensors with more advanced technologies was initiated early. In the
late 1990s, the program office awarded contracts for the development,
analysis, simulation, and prototype fabrication of five of these
sensors.[Footnote 6] In addition, NASA awarded a contract for the early
development of one other sensor.[Footnote 7] Responsibility for
delivering these sensors will be transferred from the program office
and NASA to the winning development and production contractor.
According to program office officials, these sensors should be
delivered at least 2 years before the earliest expected NPOESS launch
because of these early development efforts.
* Building on existing sensor technologies: In order to minimize risks,
the program office used existing sensor technologies as a starting
point from which to build new sensors and also plans to use some
existing sensors on NPOESS. For example, the new cross-track infrared
sounder sensor grew from technology used on the POES high-resolution
infrared sounder and on the atmospheric infrared sounder carried on
NASA�s Earth Observing System/Aqua satellite. Also, NPOESS� data
collection system is based on the data collection system already flying
on another satellite and, according to program officials, will likely
be available largely �off the shelf.� Program office officials reported
that building on existing sensors should enable them to obtain half of
the NPOESS sensors and almost half of the required 55 EDRs while
reducing the risk of integrating new technology into the program.
* Ground demonstrations: To reduce the risk to the data processing
segment, the program office had both of the program definition and risk
reduction contractors conduct four ground-based demonstrations of
hardware and software components of the data processing system. Because
of work done during the program definition and risk reduction contract
phase, the program office expects the interface data processing segment
to be relatively mature before contract award.
* Internal government studies: To reduce the risks in integrating the
NPOESS space and interface data processing segments, over the past 5
years, the integrated program office has overseen risk reduction
studies performed by over 30 major scientific organizations, including
government laboratories, major universities, and institutes. These
studies include observing system simulation experiments and data
assimilation studies, which involve simulating a future sensor and then
identifying ways to incorporate the new data into products and models.
For example, the studies were used to assess the impact of advanced
sounders similar to those on NPOESS and the impact of NPOESS-like data
on forecasts and end user products.
* Aircraft flights: Since 1997, the integrated program office has used
aircraft flights to demonstrate satellite sensors and to deliver early
data to its users so that they can begin to work with the data. For
example, in 2001, the NPOESS airborne sounder testbed project began
using NASA aircraft to provide an environment in which instruments
could be tested under conditions that simulate space.
* Operational algorithm teams: The integrated program office
established five operational algorithm teams to serve as scientific
advisory groups. The teams, made up of representatives from government
and federally funded research and development centers, worked with the
program office for 5 years to oversee the development and refinement of
various algorithms that NPOESS will use. They will continue to work
with the development and production contractor to refine the data
processing algorithms.
* WindSat/Coriolis demonstration: WindSat/Coriolis is a demonstration
satellite, planned for launch in 2003, to test critical new ocean
surface wind-observing science and technology that will be used in the
NPOESS conical microwave imager/sounder sensor. This demonstration
project will also help validate the technology needed to support
various EDRs.
* NPOESS preparatory project: This is a planned demonstration satellite
to be launched in early 2006, 2 to 3 years before the first NPOESS
satellite launch. It is scheduled to host three critical NPOESS sensors
(the visible/infrared imager radiometer suite, the cross-track infrared
sounder, and the advanced technology microwave sounder), and it will
provide the program office and processing centers an early opportunity
to work with the sensors, ground control, and data processing systems.
This satellite is expected to demonstrate about half of the NPOESS EDRs
and about 80 percent of its data processing load.
Data Management Challenges and Plans to Address Them:
NPOESS is expected to produce a massive increase in the volume of data
sent to the four processing centers, which presents considerable data
management challenges. Whereas current polar satellites produce
approximately 10 gigabytes of data per day, NPOESS is expected to
provide 10 times that amount. When combined with increased data from
other sources--other satellites, radar, and ground sensors--this
increase in satellite data presents immense challenges to the centers�
infrastructures for processing the data and to their scientific
capability to use these additional data effectively in weather products
and models.
The four processing centers and the integrated program office are well
aware of these data management challenges and are planning to address
them. Specifically, each of the four centers is planning to build its
capacity to handle increased data volumes, and both the centers and the
program office are working to improve their ability to assimilate new
satellite data in their products. Because the NPOESS launch is several
years in the future, agencies have time to build up their respective
infrastructures and models so that they can handle increased data
volumes. However, more can be done to coordinate and further define
these efforts.
Infrastructure Challenges and Plans to Address Them:
The expected increase in satellite data from NPOESS presents a
considerable challenge to the processing centers� infrastructures for
obtaining, processing, distributing, and storing satellite data. All
four of the central processing centers reported that their current
infrastructures would require changes in order to support expected
NPOESS data streams. In fact, two centers reported that their current
infrastructures could not support any of the NPOESS EDRs that they
expect to use; another center reported that its infrastructure could
not support 82 percent of the EDRs it expects to use; and the fourth
center reported that its infrastructure could not support 27 percent of
the EDRs that it will use.
As for specific shortcomings, officials at the processing centers
reported that they need to increase the computational power of the
supercomputers that will process the data records, upgrade the
communication systems used to transmit the data, and/or increase the
storage capacity of the systems used to archive the data. For example,
National Weather Service officials told us that current supercomputers
could not process the vast amount of satellite data NPOESS will
generate within required timeframes to produce forecasts, because even
today they are encountering computer capacity constraints.
Specifically, the target usage rate for effectively processing modeling
data is 50 percent of computing capacity. Officials told us that the
average current usage rate is 70 percent of capacity, and usage often
peaks well above this rate. As another example of an infrastructure
challenge, officials at the Navy�s Fleet Numerical Meteorology and
Oceanography Center reported that even with recent upgrades to their
local data storage capacity, their current infrastructure could not
likely support NPOESS increased data volumes.
To handle these increased data volumes, the four processing centers
have begun high-level planning to transform their respective satellite
data processing infrastructures. Understandably, the centers have not
yet begun detailed planning for operational and technology change in
the 2008-2009 timeframe because there are too many unknowns for them to
do so reliably. For example, the architectural characteristics of the
NPOESS system will not be known until sometime after the development
and production contract is awarded later this year. Also, as stated by
center officials, technology changes so quickly that it is difficult to
predict technology options 6 to 7 years from now.
Although the centers are not yet building their infrastructures
specifically to support NPOESS, officials told us that they are
currently working to upgrade their infrastructures to support current
and future data streams. For example, NOAA plans to increase the
processing capacity of its supercomputers to handle the increased
volume of satellite data expected over the next several years. In
addition, the Air Force Weather Agency is in the process of upgrading
its information technology infrastructure to increase the capacity of
its computer and communications systems.
The processing centers recognize the infrastructure challenges they
face, and each is planning or initiating upgrades to improve its data
management capacity to meet immediate challenges. Once the NPOESS
development and production contract is awarded and the system design is
determined, it is imperative that the four processing centers adjust
and further define their future architectures to address this design,
and identify the steps they need to take to reach that future goal. All
of the centers have expressed their intentions to do so.
Data Utilization Challenges and Plans to Address Them:
The increased data volumes from NPOESS pose a challenge to those
seeking to use these data in operational weather models and products.
These models and products are heavily dependent on satellite data, but
experts in the weather modeling community acknowledge that satellite
data are not always used effectively because the science needed to
understand and use the data is sometimes immature. For example,
forecasters do not yet know how to use microwave data from areas
covered in ice or under heavy precipitation in their weather prediction
models. Experts reported that it often takes years of study and
scientific advances to effectively assimilate new satellite data into
weather models and to derive new weather products. While there is some
debate as to how long it takes to develop the science to put new data
in models, in 2000, the National Research Council reported that it
generally takes 2 to 5 years of simulations and analyses before a
satellite launch for data from new sensors to be effectively
incorporated into weather models.[Footnote 8] They noted that if this
work does not occur, there is a gap of several years during which data
are collected but not used efficiently in models. Defense and civilian
modeling officials reiterated the value of advance assimilation studies
by citing an example in which such studies performed before a new
sensor was launched allowed modelers to use the data only 10 months
after launch.
The processing centers acknowledge that much needs to be done for them
to be able to incorporate NPOESS data into operational products.
Officials at the processing centers reported that they should be able
to use some EDRs after only minor changes to their data processing
algorithms and models, because these products are expected to be
comparable to current products. Other EDRs, however, involve new data
and will require major scientific advances in order to be used. That
is, the centers will not be able to use these data until they conduct
new scientific investigations and determine how to best use the data in
their derived products and models. In fact, the three centers that are
the heaviest planned users of NPOESS EDRs reported that about 45
percent of the EDRs they plan to use would require major advances in
science in order to be utilized. For example, NESDIS stated that it
would take major science changes to be able to utilize all six of the
key EDRs, including atmospheric vertical temperature profile, soil
moisture, and sea surface winds. Table 4 lists the number of EDRs each
of the processing centers plans to use and each center�s views of how
many of those EDRs require major science changes. Appendix II
identifies the EDRs that the centers reported as requiring major
scientific advancements.
Table 4: Processing Centers� Views of the Usability of Planned NPOESS
Products:
Processing center: NESDIS; Number of NPOESS EDRs each center plans to
use: 55; Number of NPOESS EDRs requiring major scientific changes: 26.
Processing center: Air Force Weather Agency; Number of NPOESS EDRs each
center plans to use: 38; Number of NPOESS EDRs requiring major
scientific changes: 16.
Processing center: Navy Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography
Center; Number of NPOESS EDRs each center plans to use: 38; Number of
NPOESS EDRs requiring major scientific changes: 16.
Processing center: Naval Oceanographic Office; Number of NPOESS EDRs
each center plans to use: 15; Number of NPOESS EDRs requiring major
scientific changes: 1.
[End of table]
:
Effective and efficient use of satellite data in weather products,
warnings, and forecasts is critical to maximizing our national
investment in new satellites. A committee representing the four
processing centers noted that expedited incorporation of new satellite
data into weather models is a key metric for measuring NPOESS� success.
Given that understanding, the processing centers and the integrated
program office have various efforts under way and planned to address
challenges in effectively using new NPOESS data. Key initiatives
include the following:
* Joint Center for Satellite Data Assimilation: In July 2001, NOAA and
NASA formed a joint organization to accelerate the rate at which
satellite data are put into operational use. While the center is
currently focused on assimilating data from existing satellites, joint
center scientists plan to undertake projects to accelerate the
assimilation of future satellite data, including NPOESS data, into
weather prediction models. The joint center received $750,000 in its
fiscal year 2002 budget and requested $3.4 million for fiscal year
2003. In a November 2001 letter to the processing centers, the
integrated program office offered to help fund the joint center efforts
to assimilate NPOESS data if the DOD processing centers were to join
the joint center. The processing centers have discussed this option,
but DOD has not yet made a final decision.
* Processing centers� assimilation projects: Two of the three military
processing centers, the Air Force Weather Agency and the Navy Fleet
Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center, have developed programs
to improve assimilation of high-resolution satellite data into their
models. They have also developed a program that is designed to improve
their models so that they will be able to use data from the NPOESS
preparatory project, when they become available.
* Other government-sponsored studies: As noted in its risk reduction
efforts, the integrated program office has funded studies--both
simulations and data assimilation studies--to prepare for the NPOESS
data. Since fiscal year 1995, the program office has reportedly spent
more than $3 million on satellite data assimilation experiments and
projects to develop techniques for processing satellite data. For
example, the program office funded NOAA to develop methods to begin
processing and assimilating sounding data from the advanced infrared
sounder on a NASA satellite. This effort was expected to pave the way
for processing and assimilating data from two sensors that will fly on
the NPOESS preparatory project in early 2006 and on NPOESS in the 2008
to 2009 timeframe.
Centers Have Time to Meet Challenges, but More Coordination and
Definition of Plans Are Warranted:
Between now and the first NPOESS satellite launch, the four processing
centers and the integrated program office have time to meet the
challenges in effectively using NPOESS data, but more can be done to
coordinate and define these efforts. The four centers� views on their
ability to use NPOESS EDRs in their models and products highlighted
that the centers are not always consistent on whether an NPOESS data
product requires major scientific advancements or not. Specifically,
the centers� views differ on over 30 EDRs. For example, in the case of
one key EDR--atmospheric vertical temperature profile--one center
states that it will require only minor software changes to use these
data; another center states that it will require a major advancement in
science to use the data; and a third states that it will not require a
science change, but instead will require an upgrade to its supporting
infrastructure. Appendix II lists the processing centers� views of
which EDRs require major scientific advancements in order to be used.
While there may be valid reasons for some of these differences--such as
the centers� differing uses for these EDRs or their varying customers�
needs--the centers have not yet compared their differing views or
identified opportunities for learning from other centers� expertise.
Agency officials generally agreed that such coordination would be
valuable and stated their intentions to coordinate.
In addition to coordinating on EDRs determined to pose scientific
challenges, it will be important for the centers to identify what needs
to be done to meet these major science challenges and to define their
plans for doing so. However, the centers have not yet determined what
actions are needed to effectively incorporate NPOESS EDRs in their
respective models and derived products. Further, they have not yet
established plans for addressing the specific EDRs that require major
scientific advancements. Agency officials agreed that such planning is
necessary and stated that they will likely accelerate these efforts
after the development and production contract is awarded.
Clearly, there are opportunities for the processing centers to
coordinate their particular concerns, learn from other centers�
approaches, and define their plans for addressing challenges in using
EDRs. Given the years it takes to effectively incorporate new satellite
data into operational products, it is critical that such coordination
and detailed planning occur so that NPOESS data can be effectively
used.
:
In summary, today�s polar-orbiting weather satellite program is
essential to a variety of civilian and military operations, ranging
from weather warnings and forecasts to specialized weather products.
NPOESS is expected to merge today�s two separate satellite systems into
a single state-of-the-art weather and environmental monitoring
satellite system to support all users. This new satellite system is
expected to provide vast streams of data, far more than are currently
handled by the four central processing centers. To prepare for these
increased data volumes, the four data processing centers must address
key data management challenges--including building up their respective
infrastructures and working to be able to efficiently incorporate new
data in their derived weather products and models. Because the NPOESS
launch date is still several years in the future, the four processing
centers and the integrated program office have time to continue to
develop, define, and implement their plans to address key data
management challenges.
Each of the processing centers is planning activities to build its
capacity to handle increased volumes of data, but more can be done to
coordinate and define these plans--including sharing information on
what is needed in order for the centers to use particular weather
products and developing a plan to address these scientific issues.
Unless more is done to coordinate and define these plans, the centers
could risk delays in using NPOESS data in operational weather products
and forecasts.
:
:
:
This concludes my statement. I would be pleased to respond to any
questions that you or other members of the Subcommittee may have at
this time.
Contact and Acknowledgments:
[End of section]
If you have any questions regarding this testimony, please contact
Linda Koontz at (202) 512-6240 or by E-mail at [email protected].
Individuals making key contributions to this testimony include Ronald
Famous, Richard Hung, Tammi Nguyen, Colleen Phillips, Angela Watson,
and Glenda Wright.
[End of section]
Appendix I: Objectives, Scope, and Methodology:
The objectives of our review were to (1) provide an overview of our
nation�s polar-orbiting weather satellite program, (2) identify plans
for the NPOESS program, and (3) identify key challenges in managing
future NPOESS data volumes and the four processing centers� plans to
address them.
To provide an overview of the nation�s polar-orbiting weather satellite
system, we reviewed NOAA and DOD documents and Web sites that describe
the purpose and origin of the polar satellite program and the current
POES and DMSP satellites� supporting infrastructures. We assessed the
polar satellite infrastructure to understand the relationships among
the satellites, ground control stations, and satellite data processing
centers. We also reviewed documents and interviewed officials at the
integrated program office and four processing centers to identify the
processes for transforming raw satellite data into derived weather
products and weather prediction models.
To identify plans for the NPOESS program, we obtained and reviewed
documents that describe the program�s origin and purpose, and
interviewed integrated program office officials to determine the
program�s background, status, and plans. We assessed the NPOESS
acquisition strategy and program risk reduction efforts to understand
how the program office plans to manage the acquisition and mitigate the
risks to successful NPOESS implementation. We reviewed descriptions of
each of the NPOESS sensors and assessed NPOESS program requirement
documents to determine the types of products that NPOESS will produce
and how these products will be used.
To assess NPOESS data management challenges, we reviewed documents from
the program office and the four processing centers and discussed
challenges with DOD and NOAA officials. We assessed descriptions of
each center�s current and planned polar satellite infrastructure to
identify plans for infrastructure growth. We also identified each
processing centers� views on which NPOESS products will require
infrastructure changes or scientific advancements in order to be used.
We analyzed this information to determine whether the centers face
challenges in their ability to process NPOESS data and their scientific
capability to assimilate NPOESS data into their weather prediction
models. We reviewed documents that describe NOAA, DOD, and integrated
program office efforts to address the challenges that we identified,
and we evaluated current and planned efforts to address those
challenges. We interviewed program office and processing center
officials to discuss these documents and their plans to address NPOESS
data management challenges.
We obtained comments from NOAA and DOD officials on the facts contained
in this statement. These officials generally agreed with the facts as
presented and provided some technical corrections, which we have
incorporated. We performed our work at the NPOESS Integrated Program
Office, located at NOAA headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland; the
NESDIS Central Satellite Data Processing Center in Suitland, Maryland;
the NCEP Environmental Modeling Center in Camp Springs, Maryland; the
Air Force Weather Agency at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska;
the Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center in Monterey,
California; and the Naval Oceanographic Office at Stennis Space Center
in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. Our work was performed between October
2001 and July 2002 in accordance with generally accepted government
auditing standards.
[End of section]
Appendix II: Processing Centers� Views of Which NPOESS EDRs Require
Major Scientific Advancements:
(Continued From Previous Page)
Data category: Key; Environmental data record: Atmospheric vertical
moisture profile; Processing center view: Air Force Weather Agency: No;
Processing center view: Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography
Center: No; Processing center view: Naval Oceanographic Office: -[A];
Processing center view: NESDIS/ NCEP[B]: Yes/No.
Environmental data record: Atmospheric vertical temperature profile;
Processing center view: Air Force Weather Agency: No; Processing center
view: Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center: No;
Processing center view: Naval Oceanographic Office: �; Processing
center view: NESDIS/ NCEP[B]: Yes/No.
Environmental data record: : Imagery; Processing center view: Air Force
Weather Agency: : No; Processing center view: Fleet Numerical
Meteorology and Oceanography Center: : No; Processing center view:
Naval Oceanographic Office: : No; Processing center view: NESDIS/
NCEP[B]: : Yes/No.
Environmental data record: : Sea surface temperature; Processing center
view: Air Force Weather Agency: : No; Processing center view: Fleet
Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center: : No; Processing center
view: Naval Oceanographic Office: : Yes; Processing center view:
NESDIS/ NCEP[B]: : Yes/No.
Environmental data record: : Sea surface winds; Processing center view:
Air Force Weather Agency: : No; Processing center view: Fleet Numerical
Meteorology and Oceanography Center: : No; Processing center view:
Naval Oceanographic Office: : No; Processing center view: NESDIS/
NCEP[B]: : Yes/No.
Environmental data record: : Soil moisture; Processing center view: Air
Force Weather Agency: : No; Processing center view: Fleet Numerical
Meteorology and Oceanography Center: : No; Processing center view:
Naval Oceanographic Office: : No; Processing center view: NESDIS/
NCEP[B]: : Yes.
Data category: Atmosphere; Environmental data record: Aerosol optical
thickness; Processing center view: Air Force Weather Agency: Yes;
Processing center view: Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography
Center: No; Processing center view: Naval Oceanographic Office: No;
Processing center view: NESDIS/ NCEP[B]: No/Yes.
Environmental data record: : Aerosol particle size; Processing center
view: Air Force Weather Agency: : Yes; Processing center view: Fleet
Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center: : No; Processing center
view: Naval Oceanographic Office: : �; Processing center view: NESDIS/
NCEP[B]: : Yes.
Environmental data record: : Aerosol refractive index; Processing
center view: Air Force Weather Agency: : �; Processing center view:
Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center: : No; Processing
center view: Naval Oceanographic Office: : �; Processing center view:
NESDIS/ NCEP[B]: : Yes.
Environmental data record: : Outgoing long-wave radiation; Processing
center view: Air Force Weather Agency: : �; Processing center view:
Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center: : No; Processing
center view: Naval Oceanographic Office: : -; Processing center view:
NESDIS/ NCEP[B]: : No.
Environmental data record: : Ozone total column/profile; Processing
center view: Air Force Weather Agency: : �; Processing center view:
Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center: : No; Processing
center view: Naval Oceanographic Office: : �; Processing center view:
NESDIS/ NCEP[B]: : No.
Environmental data record: : Precipitable water; Processing center
view: Air Force Weather Agency: : �; Processing center view: Fleet
Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center: : No; Processing center
view: Naval Oceanographic Office: : No; Processing center view: NESDIS/
NCEP[B]: : No.
Environmental data record: : Precipitation type/rate; Processing center
view: Air Force Weather Agency: : No; Processing center view: Fleet
Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center: : Yes; Processing center
view: Naval Oceanographic Office: : �; Processing center view: NESDIS/
NCEP[B]: : Yes.
Environmental data record: : Pressure (surface/profile); Processing
center view: Air Force Weather Agency: : No; Processing center view:
Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center: : No; Processing
center view: Naval Oceanographic Office: : �; Processing center view:
NESDIS/ NCEP[B]: : Yes/No.
Environmental data record: : Suspended matter; Processing center view:
Air Force Weather Agency: : Yes; Processing center view: Fleet
Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center: : No; Processing center
view: Naval Oceanographic Office: : �; Processing center view: NESDIS/
NCEP[B]: : Yes.
Environmental data record: : Total water content; Processing center
view: Air Force Weather Agency: : No; Processing center view: Fleet
Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center: : Yes; Processing center
view: Naval Oceanographic Office: : �; Processing center view: NESDIS/
NCEP[B]: : Yes.
Data category: Cloud; Environmental data record: Cloud base height;
Processing center view: Air Force Weather Agency: Yes; Processing
center view: Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center: Yes;
Processing center view: Naval Oceanographic Office: �; Processing
center view: NESDIS/ NCEP[B]: Yes.
Environmental data record: : Cloud cover/layers; Processing center
view: Air Force Weather Agency: : Yes; Processing center view: Fleet
Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center: : No; Processing center
view: Naval Oceanographic Office: : No; Processing center view: NESDIS/
NCEP[B]: : Yes.
Environmental data record: : Cloud effective particle size; Processing
center view: Air Force Weather Agency: : Yes; Processing center view:
Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center: : Yes; Processing
center view: Naval Oceanographic Office: : �; Processing center view:
NESDIS/ NCEP[B]: : Yes.
Environmental data record: : Cloud ice water path; Processing center
view: Air Force Weather Agency: : �; Processing center view: Fleet
Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center: : Yes; Processing center
view: Naval Oceanographic Office: : �; Processing center view: NESDIS/
NCEP[B]: : No/Yes.
Environmental data record: : Cloud liquid water; Processing center
view: Air Force Weather Agency: : Yes; Processing center view: Fleet
Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center: : Yes; Processing center
view: Naval Oceanographic Office: : �; Processing center view: NESDIS/
NCEP[B]: : No/Yes.
Environmental data record: : Cloud optical thickness; Processing center
view: Air Force Weather Agency: : �; Processing center view: Fleet
Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center: : Yes; Processing center
view: Naval Oceanographic Office: : �; Processing center view: NESDIS/
NCEP[B]: : Yes.
Environmental data record: : Cloud particle size/distribution;
Processing center view: Air Force Weather Agency: : �; Processing
center view: Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center: :
Yes; Processing center view: Naval Oceanographic Office: : �;
Processing center view: NESDIS/ NCEP[B]: : Yes.
Environmental data record: : Cloud top height; Processing center view:
Air Force Weather Agency: : Yes; Processing center view: Fleet
Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center: : Yes; Processing center
view: Naval Oceanographic Office: : �; Processing center view: NESDIS/
NCEP[B]: : No/Yes.
Environmental data record: : Cloud top pressure; Processing center
view: Air Force Weather Agency: : �; Processing center view: Fleet
Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center: : Yes; Processing center
view: Naval Oceanographic Office: : �; Processing center view: NESDIS/
NCEP[B]: : No/Yes.
Environmental data record: : Cloud top temperature; Processing center
view: Air Force Weather Agency: : Yes; Processing center view: Fleet
Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center: : Yes; Processing center
view: Naval Oceanographic Office: : �; Processing center view: NESDIS/
NCEP[B]: : No/Yes.
Data category: Earth radiation budget; Environmental data record:
Albedo; Processing center view: Air Force Weather Agency: No;
Processing center view: Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography
Center: No; Processing center view: Naval Oceanographic Office: �;
Processing center view: NESDIS/ NCEP[B]: No.
Environmental data record: Downward long-wave radiance; Processing
center view: Air Force Weather Agency: �; Processing center view: Fleet
Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center: No; Processing center
view: Naval Oceanographic Office: �; Processing center view: NESDIS/
NCEP[B]: Yes.
Environmental data record: Downward short-wave radiance; Processing
center view: Air Force Weather Agency: �; Processing center view: Fleet
Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center: No; Processing center
view: Naval Oceanographic Office: �; Processing center view: NESDIS/
NCEP[B]: Yes.
Data category: Land; Environmental data record: Land surface
temperature; Processing center view: Air Force Weather Agency: No;
Processing center view: Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography
Center: Yes; Processing center view: Naval Oceanographic Office: �;
Processing center view: NESDIS/ NCEP[B]: Yes.
Environmental data record: : Snow cover/depth; Processing center view:
Air Force Weather Agency: : No; Processing center view: Fleet Numerical
Meteorology and Oceanography Center: : No; Processing center view:
Naval Oceanographic Office: : No; Processing center view: NESDIS/
NCEP[B]: : No/Yes.
Environmental data record: : Surface type; Processing center view: Air
Force Weather Agency: : No; Processing center view: Fleet Numerical
Meteorology and Oceanography Center: : Yes; Processing center view:
Naval Oceanographic Office: : No; Processing center view: NESDIS/
NCEP[B]: : No.
Environmental data record: : Vegetation index; Processing center view:
Air Force Weather Agency: : No; Processing center view: Fleet Numerical
Meteorology and Oceanography Center: : Yes; Processing center view:
Naval Oceanographic Office: : No; Processing center view: NESDIS/
NCEP[B]: : No.
Data category: Ocean/water; Environmental data record: Ice surface
temperature; Processing center view: Air Force Weather Agency: �;
Processing center view: Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography
Center: No; Processing center view: Naval Oceanographic Office: �;
Processing center view: NESDIS/ NCEP[B]: Yes.
Environmental data record: : Net heat flux; Processing center view: Air
Force Weather Agency: : �; Processing center view: Fleet Numerical
Meteorology and Oceanography Center: : �; Processing center view: Naval
Oceanographic Office: : �; Processing center view: NESDIS/ NCEP[B]: :
Yes.
Environmental data record: : Net solar radiation; Processing center
view: Air Force Weather Agency: : �; Processing center view: Fleet
Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center: : �; Processing center
view: Naval Oceanographic Office: : �; Processing center view: NESDIS/
NCEP[B]: : Yes.
Environmental data record: : Ocean color/chlorophyll; Processing center
view: Air Force Weather Agency: : �; Processing center view: Fleet
Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center: : �; Processing center
view: Naval Oceanographic Office: : No; Processing center view: NESDIS/
NCEP[B]: : No.
Environmental data record: : Ocean wave characteristics; Processing
center view: Air Force Weather Agency: : Yes; Processing center view:
Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center: : No; Processing
center view: Naval Oceanographic Office: : No; Processing center view:
NESDIS/ NCEP[B]: : Yes.
Environmental data record: : Sea ice characteristics; Processing center
view: Air Force Weather Agency: : �; Processing center view: Fleet
Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center: : No; Processing center
view: Naval Oceanographic Office: : �; Processing center view: NESDIS/
NCEP[B]: : Yes/No.
Environmental data record: : Sea surface height/topography; Processing
center view: Air Force Weather Agency: : Yes; Processing center view:
Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center: : Yes; Processing
center view: Naval Oceanographic Office: : No; Processing center view:
NESDIS/ NCEP[B]: : No.
Environmental data record: : Surface wind stress; Processing center
view: Air Force Weather Agency: : �; Processing center view: Fleet
Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center: : Yes; Processing center
view: Naval Oceanographic Office: : �; Processing center view: NESDIS/
NCEP[B]: : Yes.
Data category: Space environment; Environmental data record: Auroral
boundary; Processing center view: Air Force Weather Agency: No;
Processing center view: Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography
Center: �; Processing center view: Naval Oceanographic Office: �;
Processing center view: NESDIS/ NCEP[B]: No.
Environmental data record: Auroral energy deposition; Processing center
view: Air Force Weather Agency: No; Processing center view: Fleet
Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center: �; Processing center
view: Naval Oceanographic Office: �; Processing center view: NESDIS/
NCEP[B]: No.
Environmental data record: : Auroral imagery; Processing center view:
Air Force Weather Agency: : No; Processing center view: Fleet Numerical
Meteorology and Oceanography Center: : �; Processing center view: Naval
Oceanographic Office: : �; Processing center view: NESDIS/ NCEP[B]: :
No.
Environmental data record: : Electric fields; Processing center view:
Air Force Weather Agency: : Yes; Processing center view: Fleet
Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center: : �; Processing center
view: Naval Oceanographic Office: : �; Processing center view: NESDIS/
NCEP[B]: : No/Yes.
Environmental data record: : Electron density profile; Processing
center view: Air Force Weather Agency: : Yes; Processing center view:
Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center: : �; Processing
center view: Naval Oceanographic Office: : No; Processing center view:
NESDIS/ NCEP[B]: : No/Yes.
Environmental data record: : Energetic ions; Processing center view:
Air Force Weather Agency: : No; Processing center view: Fleet Numerical
Meteorology and Oceanography Center: : �; Processing center view: Naval
Oceanographic Office: : �; Processing center view: NESDIS/ NCEP[B]: :
No.
Environmental data record: : Geomagnetic field; Processing center view:
Air Force Weather Agency: : No; Processing center view: Fleet Numerical
Meteorology and Oceanography Center: : �; Processing center view: Naval
Oceanographic Office: : �; Processing center view: NESDIS/ NCEP[B]: :
No.
Environmental data record: : In-situ plasma fluctuations; Processing
center view: Air Force Weather Agency: : Yes; Processing center view:
Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center: : �; Processing
center view: Naval Oceanographic Office: : �; Processing center view:
NESDIS/ NCEP[B]: : No/Yes.
Environmental data record: : In-situ plasma temperature; Processing
center view: Air Force Weather Agency: : No; Processing center view:
Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center: : �; Processing
center view: Naval Oceanographic Office: : �; Processing center view:
NESDIS/ NCEP[B]: : No.
Environmental data record: : Ionospheric scintillation; Processing
center view: Air Force Weather Agency: : Yes; Processing center view:
Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center: : �; Processing
center view: Naval Oceanographic Office: : No; Processing center view:
NESDIS/ NCEP[B]: : No.
Environmental data record: : Neutral density profile; Processing center
view: Air Force Weather Agency: : Yes; Processing center view: Fleet
Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center: : �; Processing center
view: Naval Oceanographic Office: : �; Processing center view: NESDIS/
NCEP[B]: : No/Yes.
Environmental data record: : Medium energy charged particles;
Processing center view: Air Force Weather Agency: : No; Processing
center view: Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center: : �;
Processing center view: Naval Oceanographic Office: : �; Processing
center view: NESDIS/ NCEP[B]: : No.
Environmental data record: : Solar irradiance; Processing center view:
Air Force Weather Agency: : �; Processing center view: Fleet Numerical
Meteorology and Oceanography Center: : �; Processing center view: Naval
Oceanographic Office: : �; Processing center view: NESDIS/ NCEP[B]: :
No.
Environmental data record: : Suprathermal/auroral particles;
Processing center view: Air Force Weather Agency: : No; Processing
center view: Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center: : �;
Processing center view: Naval Oceanographic Office: : �; Processing
center view: NESDIS/ NCEP[B]: : No.
Environmental data record: : Total yes; Processing center view: Air
Force Weather Agency: : 16; Processing center view: Fleet Numerical
Meteorology and Oceanography Center: : 16; Processing center view:
Naval Oceanographic Office: : 1; Processing center view: NESDIS/
NCEP[B]: : 26/30.
Environmental data record: : Total no; Processing center view: Air
Force Weather Agency: : 22; Processing center view: Fleet Numerical
Meteorology and Oceanography Center: : 22; Processing center view:
Naval Oceanographic Office: : 14; Processing center view: NESDIS/
NCEP[B]: : 29/25.
Environmental data record: : Total -[A]; Processing center view: Air
Force Weather Agency: : 17; Processing center view: Fleet Numerical
Meteorology and Oceanography Center: : 17; Processing center view:
Naval Oceanographic Office: : 40; Processing center view: NESDIS/
NCEP[B]: : 0.
[A] A dash indicates that a center does not plan to use the EDR.
[B] Where noted, NESDIS and NCEP offered different views because of
each entity�s different products.
:
[End of table]
:
:
FOOTNOTES
[1] Within NOAA, NESDIS processes the satellite data, and the National
Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP), a component of NOAA�s
National Weather Service, runs the models. For simplicity, we refer to
the combined NESDIS/NCEP processing center as the NESDIS processing
center.
[2] NOAA uses different nomenclature for its data processing stages:
raw data are known as level 0 data; raw data records are known as level
1a data; temperature data records and sensor data records are known as
level 1b data; and environmental data records are known as level 2
data.
[3] Volcanic ash presents a hazard to aviation because of its potential
to damage engines.
[4] The four sensors supporting key EDRs are (1) the advanced
technology microwave sounder, (2) the conical microwave imager/sounder,
(3) the cross-track infrared sounder, and (4) the visible/infrared
imager radiometer suite.
[5] The five sensors include (1) the conical microwave imager/sounder,
(2) the cross-track infrared sounder, (3) the global positioning system
occultation sensor, (4) the ozone mapper/profiler suite, and (5) the
visible/infrared imager radiometer suite.
[6] The five program office-developed sensors are (1) the cross-track
infrared sounder
(2) the conical microwave imager/sounder, (3) the global positioning
system occultation sensor, (4) the ozone mapper/profiler suite, and (5)
the visible/infrared imager radiometer suite.
[7] NASA is developing the advanced technology microwave sounder
sensor.
[8] National Research Council, From Research to Operations in Weather
Satellites and Numerical Weather Prediction: Crossing the Valley of
Death (2000).