Issues in the Integration of Research and Operational Satellite Systems for Climate Research Part II. Implementation (2000) / Chapter Skim
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Technology Insertion
Technology Insertion
Pages 36-50
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From page 36... ...
The main impediments are the following: · Lack of a NASA program to facilitate the development of instruments for NPOESS; · Reliance on the use of operational weather data products (as stipulated in the Integrated Operational Requirements Document (First Version)
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From page 37... ...
Qualifying innovations span a wide range of potential changes and pose varying levels of risk for the operational performance of the system. For example, replacing a computer with a faster model that preserves the form, fit, and function of the earlier model is quite different from changing the operating system of the computer or the data processing algorithm.
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From page 38... ...
The challenge for NPOESS is to find a way to accommodate technological change in a timely manner, while ensuring that the modified system will sustain operational functionality. An early strategy of NASA and NOAA was the Operational Satellite Improvement Program (OSIP; Box 5.1~.
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From page 39... ...
If the NPOESS program is to be used to support the science community as well as the operational weather agency, then a careful assessment of the pertinent science requirements must be made in the early phases of development. A possible solution to this dilemma is a continuing program of missions where "preoperational" measurements and technologies can be tested without disrupting the operational programs.
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From page 40... ...
Because the spacecraft liftoff mass usually is matched to launch vehicle capacity, it may take a major redesign of either the spacecraft or the launch vehicle to accommodate an increase in mass or volume. For the ground segment, usually it is possible to add capacity during the operational life of the mission, but even this may require difficult choices, such as changes to remote site antennas and processing equipment.
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From page 41... ...
Unlike its predecessors, which have relatively short design lifetimes, the NPOESS satellites are meant to have a 7-year lifetime. While a 7-year design life is a laudable objective for an ongoing operational facility, the launch and replacement schedule as well as the physical resources of the spacecraft will inhibit technology insertion.
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From page 42... ...
The decision factors include the availability of alternative data sets, the specific data loss, the weather parameters affected, and the availability of a replacement spacecraft ready for launch. Under current policy, the fact that an instrument provides data that are important to a climate science record has no bearing on the replacement launch criteria.
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NASA STRATEGIES AND PLANS FOR TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT Earth Science Enterprise Technology Development Plan Goals and Themes In 1999, NASA's Earth Science Enterprise (ESE) published its technology strategy (NASA, 1999~.
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From page 44... ...
The goal statementl2 for the instrument technology and architecture (IT&A) group promises as follows: The Instrument Technologies and Architectures IPFT is focusing on the identification, development, and validation of revolutionary technologies that will enable new science measurement capabilities in the 21st century, or that will provide current capabilities at a significantly lower life-cycle cost.
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From page 45... ...
One of the three divisions of the IPO, the Technology Transition Division, is led by NASA. There is little linkage between that office and the NASA office that drafted the ESE technology strategy.
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From page 46... ...
A heavy emphasis on formation flying of small spacecraft, including instrument calibration and data fusion considerations, portends the use of smaller spacecraft, but not necessarily single-spacecraft small missions. Although smaller spacecraft can reduce certain costs, they do not necessarily reduce overall mission cost, a point discussed in the report The Role of Small Satellites in NASA and NOAA Earth Observation Programs (NRC, 2000b)
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From page 47... ...
· If an instrument provides data that are important to a climate science record, under current policy this fact has no bearing on the launch of an NPOESS replacement spacecraft. Partial failure, even of a mission-critical instrument, may have such a small impact for operational weather purposes that it does not trigger a replacement launch.
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From page 48... ...
1999. Earth Science Enterprise Technology Strategy.
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From page 49... ...
Appendixes
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