Project Scope

Click here to read the full report. An ad hoc committee conducted an assessment and prepare a report that: 1. Prioritized capabilities, especially those related to climate research, that were lost or placed at risk following recent changes to NPOESS and the GOES-R series of polar and geostationary environmental monitoring satellites. These include capabilities that were lost or degraded as a consequence of alterations in the planned constellation of spacecraft and/or the removal or reduction in scope of remaining instruments; and 2. Presented strategies to recover these capabilities. In conducting its assessment, the committee built on information from the workshop that was conducted in June 2007 by the NRC panel on "Options to Ensure the Climate Record from the NPOESS and GOES-R Spacecraft" and on the panel's report expected to be issued in August 2007. Included in this assessment was the committee's analysis of the capabilities and timeliness of the portfolio of missions recommended in the 2007 Earth Science and Applications from Space Decadal Survey to recover these capabilities, especially those related to research on Earth's climate, and the potential role of existing and planned spacecraft operated by international partners and the role of existing and planned civil U.S. spacecraft. The committee also made a preliminary evaluation of the risks, benefits, and costs of placing--either on NPOESS, GOES-R, or on other space-based platforms--alternative sensors to those originally planned. The study was funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Committee Membership: Dr. Antonio J. Busalacchi, Jr. - (Chair) University of Maryland, College Park Dr. Jay S. Pearlman The Boeing Company                 Dr. Philip E. Ardanuy Raytheon Information Solutions Dr. Joyce E. Penner University of Michigan Dr. Judith A. Curry Georgia Institute of Technology Dr. James F.W. Purdom Colorado State University Dr. Craig J. Donlon Meteorological Office Hadley Centre for Climate Prediction and Research Dr. Carl F. Schueler Raytheon Company [Retired]   Dr. Judith L. Lean Naval Research Laboratory Dr. Graeme L. Stephens Colorado State University Dr. Berrien Moore III University of New Hampshire Mr. Christopher S. Velden University of Wisconsin-Madison Dr. R. Steven Nerem University of Colorado at Boulder Mr. Frank J. Wentz Remote Sensing Systems Dr. Anne W. Nolin Oregon State University       Staff: Art Charo, Study Director Space Studies Board