15 U.S.C. § 8531 (COMMERCE AND TRADE)
§ 8531. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration satellite and data management
(a) Short-term management of environmental observations
(1) Microsatellite constellations
(A) In general
The Under Secretary shall complete and operationalize the Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate–1 and Climate–2 (COSMIC) in effect on the day before April 18, 2017—
(i) by deploying constellations of microsatellites in both the equatorial and polar orbits;
(ii) by integrating the resulting data and research into all national operational and research weather forecast models; and
(iii) by ensuring that the resulting data of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s COSMIC–1 and COSMIC–2 programs are free and open to all communities.
(B) Annual reports
Not less frequently than once each year until the Under Secretary has completed and operationalized the program described in subparagraph (A) pursuant to such subparagraph, the Under Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the status of the efforts of the Under Secretary to carry out such subparagraph.
(2) Integration of ocean and coastal data from the Integrated Ocean Observing System
In National Weather Service Regions where the Director of the National Weather Service determines that ocean and coastal data would improve forecasts, the Director, in consultation with the Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and the Assistant Administrator of the National Ocean Service, shall—
(A) integrate additional coastal and ocean observations, and other data and research, from the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) into regional weather forecasts to improve weather forecasts and forecasting decision support systems; and
(B) support the development of real-time data sharing products and forecast products in collaboration with the regional associations of such system, including contributions from the private sector, academia, and research institutions to ensure timely and accurate use of ocean and coastal data in regional forecasts.
(3) Existing monitoring and observation-capability
The Under Secretary shall identify degradation of existing monitoring and observation capabilities that could lead to a reduction in forecast quality.
(4) Specifications for new satellite systems or data determined by operational needs
In developing specifications for any satellite systems or data to follow the Joint Polar Satellite System, Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites, and any other satellites, in effect on the day before April 18, 2017, the Under Secretary shall ensure the specifications are determined to the extent practicable by the recommendations of the reports under subsection (b) of this section.
(b) Independent Study on Future of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration satellite systems and data
(1) Agreement
(A) In general
The Under Secretary shall seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to perform the services covered by this subsection.
(B) Timing
The Under Secretary shall seek to enter into the agreement described in subparagraph (A) before September 30, 2018.
(2) Study
(A) In general
Under an agreement between the Under Secretary and the National Academy of Sciences under this subsection, the National Academy of Sciences shall conduct a study on matters concerning future satellite data needs.
(B) Elements
In conducting the study under subparagraph (A), the National Academy of Sciences shall—
(i) develop recommendations on how to make the data portfolio of the Administration more robust and cost-effective;
(ii) assess the costs and benefits of moving toward a constellation of many small satellites, standardizing satellite bus design, relying more on the purchasing of data, or acquiring data from other sources or methods;
(iii) identify the environmental observations that are essential to the performance of weather models, based on an assessment of Federal, academic, and private sector weather research, and the cost of obtaining the environmental data;
(iv) identify environmental observations that improve the quality of operational and research weather models in effect on the day before April 18, 2017;
(v) identify and prioritize new environmental observations that could contribute to existing and future weather models; and
(vi) develop recommendations on a portfolio of environmental observations that balances essential, quality-improving, and new data, private and nonprivate sources, and space-based and Earth-based sources.
(C) Deadline and report
In carrying out the study under subparagraph (A), the National Academy of Sciences shall complete and transmit to the Under Secretary a report containing the findings of the National Academy of Sciences with respect to the study not later than 2 years after the date on which the Administrator enters into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences under paragraph (1)(A).
(3) Alternate organization
(A) In general
If the Under Secretary is unable within the period prescribed in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) to enter into an agreement described in subparagraph (A) of such paragraph with the National Academy of Sciences on terms acceptable to the Under Secretary, the Under Secretary shall seek to enter into such an agreement with another appropriate organization that—
(i) is not part of the Federal Government;
(ii) operates as a not-for-profit entity; and
(iii) has expertise and objectivity comparable to that of the National Academy of Sciences.
(B) Treatment
If the Under Secretary enters into an agreement with another organization as described in subparagraph (A), any reference in this subsection to the National Academy of Sciences shall be treated as a reference to the other organization.
(4) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated, out of funds appropriated to National 1 Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, to carry out this subsection $1,000,000 for the period encompassing fiscal years 2018 through 2019.
(Pub. L. 115–25, title III, § 301, Apr. 18, 2017, 131 Stat. 101.)