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INTRODUCTION During the l974 Summer Study on Space Applications, the Panel on Weather and Climate undertook a review of existing operational and R§D programs. The Panel was impressed with the existing systems and the degree to which they have become an integral part of the meteorological program in the United States. Low-altitude and geostationary satellites provide timely and essential data to the operational forecasts of the National Meteorological Center; a carefully considered R^D program is directed toward the long-range improvement of the operational system. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are both to be congratulated on the success of the meteorological satellite program. In the field of meteorology, the existing space applications program has been constructively responsive to national initiatives. One set of goals was advanced by the Panel on Meteorology during the l967-68 Summer Study on Space Applications.* The recommendations prepared during that study follow, together with an indication of the current status of each: l. The central recommendation of the l967-68 report called for NASA to "...continue to direct its meteorological satellite program to meeting the observational requirements of CARP (Global Atmospheric Research Program) and the World Weather Watch programs...."** To implement this program, and particu- larly to support the First GARP Global Experiment (FGGE), it was proposed to develop an integrated space-based system to provide global coverage in the late l970's for synoptic-scale forecasting.*** There were to be four geostationary meteorological satellites and one or two sun-synchronous near-earth satellites, with associated ground (ocean buoy) and airborne (balloon) platforms to be interrogated from space. It is now planned that there will be five geostationary satellites in operation by early l978, two of which are to be operated by the U.S. (the first was successfully put into operation in May l974), one by Japan, one by the European Space Agency (ESA), and one by the U.S.S.R. The techni- cal characteristics of these satellites are being coordinated for optimum *Mational Research Council. Useful Applications of Earth-Oriented Satellites: Report of the Panel on Meteorology (Panel 4). National Academy of Sciences, Washington, D.C., l969. **Report of the Panel on Meteorology, p. 5. ***See Table I (p. 5) for definition of meteorological scales.
compatibility of the information produced and for data-relay capabilities. Two sun-synchronous near-earth satellites with advanced sounding systems and platform-location and data-relay capabilities are scheduled for launch in late l977 and early l978. Instrumented drifting buoys, constant-level balloons, and large carrier balloons with wind-finding dropsonde dispensers are under active development; extensive field tests will be carried out in l974-75 in conjunction with the NIMBUS-F satellite. Costs are anticipated to be within those recommend- ed in the l967-68 study in order to make these techniques economically viable. The first recommendation of the 1967-68 study is nearing fulfillment. 2. A second major recommendation called for the development of a fully integrated meteorological geosynchronous satellite to be available by l97l. Both visible and infrared images were to be displayed in real time, and equipment was called for which would be able to present time-lapse views of the images.* The NASA and NOAA Synchronous Meteorological Satellite (SMS) and Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) series were inaugurated in May l974 with high-resolution visible and medium-resolution infrared (IR) imaging capability. The first satellite is performing to specification. A limited operational ground display system has been developed and implemented, and equipment for high-resolution display and picture production is also operat- ing on an experimental basis. Various methods of time-lapse display of images have been used or are in process of development. This recommendation has been implemented. 3. A third recommendation called for IR and microwave vertical temperature sounders to be used on both polar-orbiting and geostationary satellites and to be capable of satisfying known data requirements for synoptic-scale numerical weather forecasting. The IR sounders are in operational use on polar-orbiting satellites. However, the accuracy of temperature measurement is not adequate: errors average between 2°C and 3°C compared with a requirement of l°C. A microwave sounder was flown successfully on NIMBUS-5 and it is planned to include microwave sounders, along with advanced IR sounders (more channels and higher resolution) on a new operational series of low-altitude satellites starting in l977-78. IR and micro- wave sounders have not yet been flown on geostationary satellites. Thus, the implementation of this recommendation is still incomplete. 4. The final two recommendations of the l967-68 study dealt with develop- ment of light-weight, safe, low-cost meteorological packages for constant-level balloons, and for techniques of sounding the atmosphere through clouds by use of microwaves. The required developments are either proven or about to be tested, and the outlook is very positive for useful operational systems. *Report of the Panel on Meteorology, p. 5.
In some other areas the meteorological satellite program has moved more rapidly than could have been anticipated in l967-68. For example, data trans- mitted by geostationary satellites are now being used operationally by NOAA to determine atmospheric winds. This technique, which was not foreseen in l967, has proven to be valuable in the preparation of weather forecasts. It has already been noted that developments in the meteorological space applications program have been closely coordinated with the objectives of the World Weather Watch program, especially GARP. Detailed plans for a meteorolog- ical Global Observing System are being readied for FGGE. Much of the current high-priority R$D in the meteorological space applications program is being undertaken to contribute to the success of FGGE. It is important to note, however, that the goals of meteorology are broader than the assessment of the feasibility of extending synoptic-scale forecasting. A major statement of these goals was set forth in a report published by the Committee on Atmospheric Sciences of the National Academy of Sciences.* These goals were (l) to extend useful forecasting capability, (2) to contribute to the development of the capability to manage and control the concentrations of air pollutants, (3) to establish mechanisms for the national examinations of delib- erate and inadvertent means for modifying weather and climate, and (4) to reduce social, economic, and human losses caused by weather. The recommendations in the present study deal explicitly with goals (l) and (4). They also deal with goals (2) and (3) in areas where the monitoring of associated meteorological parameters from space has contributed to the development of useful management or modification techniques. e °5 £tm?Sp!!eriC Sciences> National Research Council. The Atmospheric and Man's Needs: Priorities for the Future. National Academy of Sciences, Washington, D.C., l97l.
