5.1.2: Earth Observing Systems

Accurate and reliable data from sustained and integrated Earth observing systems

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NOAA's mission is rooted in in situ and space-based Earth observations. The Nation's efforts to mitigate and adapt to a changing climate require accurate, continuous, and comprehensive climate data records. Weather forecasters require observations of the state of the atmosphere and oceans to initiate and verify the models and to make accurate forecasts. Fisheries cannot be sustained without data on current and historical states of the stocks and their living environment. Coastal communities need observations to understand changing coastal ecosystem conditions and manage coastal resources sustainably. Nautical charting and navigation activities require consistent observations of the depth and surface characteristics of the oceans and Great Lakes, and changes that may occur due to ongoing physical processes. All of these capabilities draw upon diverse observing system assets, including satellites, radar, manned and unmanned aircraft, ground stations, sea-going vessels, buoys, and submersibles. The varied and growing requirements levied upon these systems greatly exceed the current capacity. NOAA's observing system portfolio needs to balance growing demands with continuity concerns and implementation of emerging technologies. Over the long-term, NOAA must sustain and enhance observing systems (atmospheric, oceanic, inland waters, terrestrial, solar, cryospheric [Earth's surface where water is in solid form, including glaciers, sea ice and ice caps], biological, and human)—and their long-term data sets—and develop and transition new observing technologies into operations, while working in close collaboration with its governmental, international, regional, and academic partners. To achieve this objective, NOAA will gather environmental data by researching, developing, deploying, and operating systems to collect remote and in situ observations, and manage and share data through partnerships and standards. To this end, NOAA will advance the development of next-generation satellites to serve future space-based observations and provide data continuity, launch and operate environmental observation satellites, and sustain and advance in situ weather and climate observation networks. NOAA will calibrate climate sensors to maintain the integrity of climate data records over time, and integrate ground-based networks maintained by different domestic entities in the National Mesonet Program (a network of automated weather stations) to maximize the effectiveness of ground-based weather observations. NOAA will assimilate and fully exploit the observations data from the next-generation of polar and geostationary satellites, space weather observing systems, ground-based radars and in situ sensors, airborne sensors, unmanned observing platforms, and such ship-deployed systems as buoys and submersibles. Fundamental to ensuring effective use of the wealth of environmental information collected by observing systems is an increased focus on information management standards and strategies to improve access, interoperability, and usability of NOAA's environmental information resources. NOAA will maintain and develop the next-generation of research vessels and aircraft to serve multiple observation requirements, and deploy Autonomous Underwater Vehicles and Unmanned Aircraft Systems to explore such hard-to-observe regions as deep oceans and the Arctic. Throughout this effort, NOAA will pre-plan the transition of research observing platforms to operations, and will maintain strong partnerships with domestic and foreign partners through agreements to share expertise, instrumentation, data, data processing, and related costs. Environmental information is critical to achieving the objectives of all of NOAA's goals. NOAA is, at its foundation, an environmental information generating organization. Fundamental to ensuring that the wealth of environmental information generated by NOAA is used effectively now and in the long-term is an increased focus on information management standards and strategies to improve access, interoperability, and usability. This will only be possible if operational and scientific users (both internal and external to NOAA) and environmental information providers work collaboratively. Environmental information becomes more valuable with use. Strategies to increase ease of access and improve documentation of NOAA's environmental information will further enhance its value to stakeholders. Over the next five years, evidence of progress toward this objective will include: * Increased percentage of environmental measurement needs (legacy and new) satisfied within objectives of the four strategic goals; * Reduced gaps in sustained environmental measurements; * Improved data interoperability and usability through application and use of common data management standards; * Enhanced access and use of environmental data through data storage and access solutions, integration of systems, and long-term stewardship; and * Reduced life cycle cost of observations through increased partnerships, integration of systems leveraging available data, and reducing unnecessarily duplicative capabilities.

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