# Presentation: 475496

## Polar Overview

- Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., U.S. Navy (Ret.)
- Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans & Atmosphere/NOAA
- Polar Max 2004
- October 21, 2004

**Notes:**
Good morning. Thank you for inviting me to provide the Keynote address heon speaker. It is quite an honor to be with you. 

You have heard in great detail yesterday some information on current polar programs, and information for polar users.  Throughout today, you will hear information on future polar programs.   I will provide you a broad overview of where we have been, and where we are going with the polar program as well as how this ties into the GEO (Global Earth Observation) program

I applaud the organizers of this Polar Max 2004.  As a User Forum for the Environmental Monitoring Community, I hope you will get a lot of information from the numerous meetings and interactions among the various organizations present. 

## Presentation Outline

- Integrated Earth Observation System
- Global Framework
- U.S. Draft Strategic Plan
- Benefits Focus
- Research to Operations
- NOAA – NASA Partnerships
- NOAA’s Polar Satellites
- Past - TIROS
- Present – Today Operations
- Future – N’, NPP, NPOES, METOP

**Notes:**
Earth Observation: Most of you are aware of ongoing international and national efforts to establish an integrated global observations system. I recently returned from Brussels/the latest GEO meeting.  We made major inroads into establishing what the governance structure will look like.  Several weeks ago we also had the Forum on EO, during which industry participated, and some of you were present.

Research to Operations: This is a critical issue in our development of an integrated EO system.  NOAA and NASA have been dealing with it for years.  Research and Operations functions often have overlapping observation needs, but historically separate systems. We must focus on increasing efficiency.

NOAA’s Future Satellite Systems: I am going to end with some NOAA-centric updates on our past, current and future satellite systems, focusing on the polar systems.

## Earth Observation Initiatives

## The Global Framework

- A distributed system of systems
- Improves coordination of strategies and observation systems
- Links all platforms: in situ, aircraft, and satellite networks
- Identifies gaps in our global capacity
- Facilitates exchange of data and information
- Improves decision-makers’ abilities to address pressing policy issues

**Notes:**
The Earth is an integrated system. All the processes that influence conditions on the Earth, whether ecological, biological, climatological, or geological, are linked, and impact one another. Therefore, Earth observing systems are strengthened when data collection and analysis are achieved in an integrated manner. 

Right now, 52 countries have come together – at the highest political levels – to develop such a system.

The basic tenets of such a system are listed here [SEE SLIDE].

## U.S. Contribution to GEOSS

- VISION:
- Enable a healthy public, economy, and planet through an integrated, comprehensive, and sustained Earth observation system.
- National Plan
- Public comment period until November 8, 2004
- Electronic comments only
- Available at _[http://iwgeo.ssc.nasa.gov/](http://iwgeo.ssc.nasa.gov/)_
- Send to _[iwgeo](mailto:iwgeo.comments@noaa.gov)__[.comments@](mailto:iwgeo.comments@noaa.gov)__[noaa](mailto:iwgeo.comments@noaa.gov)__[.](mailto:iwgeo.comments@noaa.gov)__[gov](mailto:iwgeo.comments@noaa.gov)_
- Early 2005 Workshop
- Establish Formal USG Mechanism
- Capable of committing necessary resources and implementing functions

**Notes:**
In the U.S., 15 USG agencies and 3 White House offices have been working on the U.S. input to GEOSS. Its vision: Enable a healthy public, economy, and planet through an integrated, comprehensive, and sustained Earth observation system.

These agencies are taking a new integrated approach – with the focus of improving our Earth observation capabilities so that we realize benefits for our people, our economy and our planet.  Our current system of observations is fragmented and incomplete. 

----------------
Before we deliver the U.S. plan to GEO, we aim to have extensive public review.  The U.S. Draft Strategic Plan is now open for public review through November 8.  If you have not done so, please submit comments so that we have a stronger document.  Website is listed here.  Further, there will be a USG-sponsored workshop in November focusing on the draft plan.

Another big issue - The International Working Group on Earth Observations (IWGEO) shall terminate in November 2004, upon completion of its duties to formulate and implement a 10-yr U.S framework and plan for Earth Observations.  We must formally establish an Earth Observation Subcommittee as part of the White House’s Committee on Environment and Natural Resources (funds and implementation).

Within that structure, a number of functions must be considered, such as a means to interact with external stakeholders, identify and vet requirements, establish a process for prioritization of observation system investments.

## U.S. Plan Benefits Focus

**Notes:**
Similar to the international plan, the U.S. Plan takes a benefits focus
Examples of importance (not all):
Weather Forecasting  - 
Most mature observation system in use today. Obs system provides billions of dollars in value (transportation safety, ag productivity, energy management)
Reduce Loss of Life and Property from Disasters
Cost $20Billion per year and are a major cause of loss of life and property.  Hurricane season is a prime discussion point.
Protect and Monitor Our Ocean Resources
Coastal areas provide 28 million jobs, tourist destination for 180 million Americans
Observations needed for coastal storms, oil spills, pollution, which can impact fishing, recreation, transportation
Understand the Effect of Environmental Factors on Human Health and Well-Being
Need ability to predict disease emergence and intensity
Example – better air quality data can yield improvements in human health (i.e. asthma)

## Research to Operations

## Research to Operations

- International Level
- Critical to success and longevity of GEOSS
- National Level
- Focus of National Academy of Sciences study: NASA – NOAA Transition from Research to Operations
- NOAA External Research Review Team  Recommendations: Report - August 6, 2004
- Develop a Vision for Research in support of Strategic Plan, extending 20 years
- Develop a NOAA wide Research Plan, and address transition of research to operations
- Establish position of Associate Administrator for Research
- Ongoing Focus of NASA & NOAA
- More formal mechanism needed
- NOAA Uses: MODIS on Terra and Aqua; TRMM; LANDSAT; SeaWinds on QuikSCAT

**Notes:**
For successful implementation of GEOSS and the US plan, we must promote a more effective transfer into operations of EO technologies that have been proven in research environment.

Because the pace of technological change is rapid, continuous and evolutionary system development is necessary.  There will be a continuing need for improved sensors, sampling strategies, and networks, among other components. Long-term consistency and sustainability are basic requirements for GEOSS, but new technologies often provide better coverage or precision at lower cost; occasional breakthroughs lead to societal benefits hardly considered possible before.

NOAA External Review: 
Report released in August, several recommendations.

NOAA and NASA sponsored a National Academy of Sciences, Space Studies Board, study by their Committee on NASA - NOAA Transition from Research to Operations (CONNTRO).   The 2003 report highlighted critical areas in its report.  Since then, NASA and NOAA have been working to address the recommendations of the NAS report.   HOWEVER, we still have much more work to be done.

The NAS study recommended NOAA and NASA "improve and formalize the process of developing and communicating operational requirements and priorities."   I believe this is necessary in order to maximize the use of research and operational satellite data and to plan for transition of successful research instruments to operational status.  Long-range planning is needed. This will enhance our National’s leadership role in GEOSS.

Current examples:
NOAA’s use of TRMM and QuikSCAT into NWS/NCEP Numerical Weather Prediction Models.
NOAA’s use of TRMM and QuickSCAT for tropical cyclone position and intensity analysis and forecasting.
NOAA’s use of Terra/Aqua MODIS data for fire detection – MODIS is precursor to VIIRS, which will replace AVHRR in use today.

ESA’s ENVISAT:   NOAA can currently use Canada’s RADARSAT, but is beyond 2003 end of life.  No follow to ENVISAT in Europe.  METOP is next European series. However, there are plans in Europe for future SAR missions (e.g. Germany)

## NASA Missions Transitioning to NOAA Missions: Examples 

| Instrument | Mission | Parameters of Interest | First Flight | Targeted for Transition with resources | First Flight |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| MODIS | Terra/Aqua | Earth imagery, SST, ocean color, vegie, ice, fires.... | 1999 | VIIRS | 2006 (NPP) |
| AIRS | Aqua | IR atmos temp and humidity  | 2002 | CrIS | 2006 (NPP) |
| HSB, AMSU, MHS | Aqua/POES/ METOP | Microwave humidity soundings | 2002, 1998, 2005 | ATMS | 2006 (NPP) |
| WindSAT**non-NASA mission | Coriolis | Ocean sfc winds
(passive) | 2002 | CMIS | 2010 (NPOESS) |
| SOLSE/LORE | STS-87,107 | Ozone profiles using limb-scanning UV | 1997, 2002 | OMPS | 2006 NPP
2010 (NPOESS) |
| Lightning Imaging Sensor | TRMM | Lightning location over Tropics | 1997 | GLM | 2012 (GOES-R) |

**Notes:**
Some examples of transitions NOT underway are below.  However, NOAA often can take advantage of data from these NASA satellites, and future NASA satellite launches for these products.  But, there are not current plans to transition these product/instrument types onto NOAA platforms.

Active Ocean Surface Winds – currently from QuikSCAT
Precipitation Radar – currently TRMM
Volcanic Ash Plumes – currently TOMS
Solar Wind at L1 – currently ACE (Advanced Composition Explorer)
-------acronyms----------
AIRS Atmospheric Infrared Sounder 
AMSU Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit 
ATMS Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (under development by NASA) 
CMIS Conical Microwave Imager/Sounder. 
CrIS Crosstrack Infrared Sounder. 
GLM GEO Lightning Mapper 
GOES Geostationary Orbiting Environmental Satellites 
HSB Humidity Sounder for Brazil 
LORE Limb Ozone Retrieval Experiment
MetOp (MetOp satellite is part of a European polar orbit satellite system)
MHS Microwave Humidity Sounder 
MODIS Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer
OMPS Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite 
NPP NPOESS Preparatory Project 
NPOESS National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System 
POES Polar Operational Environmental Satellite
SOLSE Shuttle Ozone Limb Sounding Experiment
TRMM Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission 
VIIRS Visible/Infrared Imager/Radiometer Suite 
WindSAT  WINDSAT/Coriolis interagency Naval Research Lab, with cooperation from NASA, the Air Force, and the IPO

## Research to OperationsOngoing Work

- Joint Center for Satellite Data Assimilation
- To reduce time for implementation of satellite technology into operations
- To increase use of satellite data into numerical weather prediction models
- Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) at University of Wisconsin
- To develop and implement techniques and products using GOES.
- To transfer new technology into operational practice.
- Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA) at Colorado State University
- To transition research results into practical applications in the weather and climate areas

**Notes:**
Joint Center for Satellite Data Assimilation, housed at NOAA:  Partners: NOAA, DoD: Air Force & Navy; NASA. Mission: to Accelerate and Improve the quantitative use of research and operational satellite data in weather and climate prediction models.
Goals
Reduce from two years to one year the average time for operational implementation of new satellite technology 
Increase uses of current satellite data in NWP models 
Advance the common NWP models and data assimilation infrastructure 
Assess the impacts of data from advanced satellite sensors on weather and climate predictions 

Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies – University of Wisconsin:  CIMSS is a Cooperative Institute formed through a MOU between NOAA and NASA. CIMSS develops/implements techniques and products using GOES weather satellite observations to improve forecasts of severe storms, including tornadoes and hurricanes. CIMSS plays a major role in the transfer of new technology into operational practice. 

CIMSS plays a major role in instrument design and testing for improved space-based measurements of the earth's atmosphere.  Current research: focus on development and testing of computer-based analysis and forecast techniques that use observations from existing and planned spacecraft and ground-based weather observing systems as part of a national program to greatly improve weather forecast capabilities for the next decade. 

Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA) –Colorado State Univ. CIRA conducts research in the atmospheric sciences of mutual benefit to NOAA, the University, the State and the Nation. Special effort is directed toward the transition of research results into practical applications in the weather and climate areas.

The Institute’s research is concentrated in several areas: global and regional climate, local and mesoscale weather forecasting and evaluation, applied cloud physics, applications of satellite observations, air quality and visibility, and societal and economic impacts, along with cross-cutting research areas of numerical modeling and education, training and outreach. 

## NOAA’s Polar Satellites	Past, Present, Future

## TIROS

**Notes:**
Top:
TIROS I images of North Pacific storm system on May 19-20, 1960. TIROS I launch on upper left; TIROS I satellite on upper right; 
Image ID: spac0019, NOAA in Space CollectionPhoto Date: 1960 May 19-20

Bottom:
First complete view of the World's weather as seen from TIROS IX.   
Image ID: spac0086, NOAA in Space CollectionPhoto Date: 1965 February 13

## Current NOAA POES

| Satellite  | Launch Date | Status |
| --- | --- | --- |
| NOAA-N | February 11, 2005 | Next Launch |
| NOAA-17 | June 24, 2002 | Primary AM |
| NOAA-16 | September 21, 2000 | Primary PM |
| NOAA-15 | May 13, 1998 | Backup AM |
| NOAA-14 | December 30, 1994 | Standby:
Direct Readout Only |
| NOAA-12 | May 14, 1991 | Standby:
Direct Readout Only |
| NOAA-11 | September 24, 1988 | Deactivated 16 June 2004 |

**Notes:**
Note:
NOAA-13 failed on orbit 2 weeks into flight (Aug 1993)

## Polar Transition

**Notes:**
NOAA-16 - Launched September 21, 2000. Afternoon orbit.NOAA-17 - Launched June 24, 2002. Mid-morning orbit.
NOAA-N - February 11, 2005NPOESS Preparatory Project - October 31, 2006
NOAA-N' – late 2007
NPOESS C1 - October 2009NPOESS C2 - October 2010NPOESS C3 - October 2011NPOESS C4 - June 2013NPOESS C5 June 2016NPOESS C6 June 2018
DMSP F19 April 2009DMSP F20 October 2011
EUMETSATMETOP-1 - July-December 2005METOP-2 - January-June 2010METOP–3 - mid 2014

## NPOESS Program Status

- Program is within cost, schedule, and performance specifications
- CrIS –  Crosstrack Infrared Sounder
- Successfully completed first phase of environmental qualification
- Sensor meets or exceeds every specification
- VIIRS – Visible/Infrared Imagery Radiometer Suite
- Technical problems with optical module resolved
- VIIRS is the critical path for NPP schedule
- OMPS – Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite
- Some detector problems – fixed – and on schedule
- Data processing system (IDPS) – about 6 weeks behind schedule
- Will meet delivery date for NPP
- C3 – on schedule

**Notes:**
Key NPOESS Instruments for Earth Obs
VIIRS Visible/Infrared Imager/Radiometer Suite 
Visible and infrared radiometric data of the Earth's atmosphere, ocean, and land surfaces. Data types include atmospheric, clouds, Earth radiation budget, land/water and sea surface temperature, ocean color, and low light imagery. 
CMIS Conical Microwave Imager/Sounder. 
Global microwave radiometry and sounding data to produce microwave imagery and other meteorological and oceanographic data. 
CrIS Crosstrack Infrared Sounder. 
Earth's radiation to determine the vertical distribution of temperature, moisture, and pressure in the atmosphere. 
OMPS Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite 
Calculation of the vertical & horizontal distribution of ozone in Earth's atmosphere. 
ATMS Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (under development by NASA) 
In conjunction with CrIS, global observations of temperature and moisture profiles at high temporal resolution (~ daily). 
ERBS Earth Radiation Budget Sensor 
Will measure Earth Radiation Budget parameters using instruments similar to the ERBE and CERES heritage instruments:
ERBE — Earth Radiation Budget Experiment. NASA's Earth Radiation Budget Satellite was the first to carry the ERBE instruments. The 2nd aboard NOAA-9 satellite launched in Jan ‘85, 3rd aboard NOAA-10 satellite launched in Oct ‘86. Scanning instruments on all 3 ERBE satellites have failed, the nonscanning instruments are all presently functioning. 
CERES — Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System. Part of NASA's EOS, CERES products include both solar-reflected and Earth-emitted radiation from the top of the atmosphere to the Earth's surface. Cloud properties are determined using simultaneous measurements by other EOS instruments such as MODIS. 

## NPOESS AverageData Latency

- Latency (minutes)

**Notes:**
Data Latency will be reduced significantly:
	A four fold reduction in data latency.
	95% of data in users hands within 28 minutes
	77% of raw data likely delivered in 15 minutes of acquisition
		Compared to about 2 hours today

SafetyNet – Key element of NPOESS architecture.
15 Unmanned ground receivers, linked by fiber-optic systems to 4 central data process centers (Weather Centrals)
Weather Centrals are at:
NESDIS Sutiland
Air Force Weather Agency – Omaha, NE
Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography (FNMOC) Monterry, CA
Naval Oceanographic Office – Stennis MS (?)

NPOESS can be in contact to receivers about 55% of each orbit
	Data collected ~20Mbs, transmitted ~150Mbs

Bottom Left Image
Svalbard, Norway – Up and operational, currently supporting WindSat and NOAA’s POES Program.
Fiber link is configured at 40Gb/s and upgradeable to 1280Gb/s.  Will be at 155Mb/s during NPOESS.

## Example of NPOESS Use

- Multispectral Imagery
- From VIRRS...

- ...combined with ATMS/CMIS
- Microwave EDRs...

- ...and Altimeter-Derived
- Ocean Heat Content...

- NPOESS

- ... Supports Improved Tropical Cyclone Forecast
- Accuracy & Reduced Impact on Maritime Forces

**Notes:**
Example of NPOESS Benefits:

Using multiple instruments aboard NPOESS, and thus multiple products, information can be used in location of in situ data sparse regions, such as oceans, to improve tropical cyclone forecast and accuracy.

Data and products: ingested into numerical weather prediction models, and also use by humans analysts for interpretation and forecasting.

## N-Prime Update

- Contract modification formalized September 29, 2004
- Rebuild of NOAA N-Prime satellite
- Preserves December 2007 launch date
- Ensures continued access to NOAA satellite data that feeds our prediction and warning capability for weather, oceans, and climate.
- Partnership with NOAA, NASA, DOD remains strong

**Notes:**
Extensive deliberations – NOAA, NASA, and Lockheed Martin signed agreement to rebuild.

Team of NOAA, NASA, DoD: developed and assessed recovery options.  Rebuild option selected.

Rebuild effort contains with current approved out-year projection totalling $218M (some budgetary phasing changes).  Lockheed Marting will contribute in-kind services toward rebuild effort

Many components (computers, transmitters) to be reused.  Boxes must be re-certified: thermal and vibration testing

## Continuity of Operational Satellite ProgramsNOAA Satellite Launches* Scheduled to Maintain Continuity

- 2001

- 2002

- 1996

- 1997

- 1998

- 1999

- 2000

- 2003

- 2004

- 2005

- 2006

- 2007

- 2008

- 2009

- 2010

- *   Actual launch dates are determined by the failure of on-orbit assets

- **  Assumes METOP will provide the morning orbit and NOAA-N’ will provide
-     afternoon orbit instruments

- GOES 11
- (stored in orbit)

-  NPOESS

-  GOES 12
- (East)

- GOES  10
- (West)

-  Satellite is operational beyond design life

- 2011

- 2012

-  GOES  R-Series

-  Satellite is pre-operational (stored in orbit)

-  NPP

-  Satellite is providing backup support to GMS-5

- GOES 8 – nine years of service!

-  NOAA   16 (pm)

-  METOP-1, 2, 3 (mid am)
-  ** European Coordination

-  GOES  N – Series

-  NOAA 14 (pm)

-  NOAA   15 (am)

-  NOAA 17 (mid am)

-  NOAA N (pm)

-  NOAA 12 (am)

-  NOAA   N’  (pm)

-  GOES 9 operated by FCDAS

**Notes:**
Next tentative launch dates:
NOAA-N (Polar)  Feb 12 2005 (4 day launch window)
GOES-N (Geostationary) Jan 26 2005 (may slip...)
	Note location of NOAA N Prime launch in Dec 2007
GOES – O April 2007
GOES – P October 2008
GOES – R October 2012

NOAA-16 - Launched September 21, 2000. Afternoon orbit.NOAA-17 - Launched June 24, 2002. Mid-morning orbit.NOAA-N - February 11, 2005NPOESS Preparatory Project - October 31, 2006NOAA-N' – late 2007
NPOESS C1 - October 2009NPOESS C2 - October 2010NPOESS C3 - October 2011NPOESS C4 - June 2013NPOESS C5 June 2016NPOESS C6 June 2018
DMSP F19 April 2009DMSP F20 October 2011
EUMETSATMETOP-1 - July-December 2005METOP-2 - January-June 2010METOP–3 - mid 2014
EUMETSAT-GEO
Meteosat Second Generation (MSG-1) - Launched August 28, 2002MSG-2 - 2004 (approximately eighteen months after MSG-1)MSG-3 - 2008 (approximately four years after MSG-2)