Satellite Observations of the Earth s Environment

Committee on NASA-NOAA Transition from Research to Operations, National Research Council9780309087490, 030908749X

This report addresses the transition of research satellites, instruments, and calculations into operational service for accurately observing and predicting the Earth’s environment. These transitions, which take place in large part between NASA and NOAA, are important for maintaining the health, safety, and prosperity of the nation, and for achieving the vision of an Earth Information System in which quantitative information about the complete Earth system is readily available to myriad users. Many transitions have been ad hoc, sometimes taking several years or even decades to occur, and others have encountered roadblocks – lack of long-range planning, resources, institutional or cultural differences, for instance – and never reached fruition. “Satellite Observations of Earth’s Environment” recommends new structures and methods that will allow seamless transitions from research to practice.

---

Table of contents :
Front Matter……Page 2
Contents……Page 16
Executive Summary……Page 20
1 Introduction……Page 28
2 The Research-to-Operations Context: Bridging the Valleys of Death and Lost Opportunities……Page 31
3 The Impact of Weather and Climate on Society and a Vision for the Future……Page 41
4 Opportunities in Satellite Remote Sensing to Realize the Vision……Page 54
5 Pathways from Research to Operations……Page 62
6 A Mechanism for Achieving Effective Transitions……Page 85
7 Findings and Recommendations……Page 99
References……Page 107
Appendixes……Page 110
A Previous NRC Recommendations on Transitioning Research to Operations……Page 112
B Case Studies of Transitions from Research to Operations……Page 120
C Future Missions……Page 158
D Biographical Information for Committee Members……Page 171
E Acronyms……Page 177