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FUTURE APPLICATIONS The space applications program in meteorology is a mature effort. In addition to the operational system, a well developed R§D program exists. Most novel ideas for meteorological observations from space have at least been dis- cussed. Under the circumstances, it would be surprising indeed if the present Panel were able to identify major new opportunities for future development. It should be noted, however, that some of the recommendations set forth herein involve advanced technology and may require two or more decades to implement fully. This report would be deficient, however, if additional comments were not presented with regard to observational techniques which look promising for the future but have not been mentioned in the recommendations of the Panel. The first of these is radar, which might be used effectively in the global measure- ment of precipitation occurrence and intensity. Problems of background inter- ference and power demand must be overcome. Doppler radar conceivably could be used to measure the wind velocity in clouds. A related long-term potential is the use of lasers and the Doppler principle for wind determination in clear air. A different kind of possibility is the establishment of an earth-oriented meteorological observatory on the moon. A simple first experiment for such an observatory might be the measurement of the earth's albedo. 2l
