Environmental satellites : weather and environmental information systems / Vincent L. Webber, editor.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Webber, Vincent L.

Series:

Space science, exploration and policies series.

Space science, exploration and policies series

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System.

Meteorological satellites--United States.

Meteorological satellites.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (122 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

New York : Nova Science, c2009.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

This book provides information on the planned National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) program which is expected to be a state-of-the-art, environment-monitoring satellite system which will replace two existing polar-orbiting environmental satellite systems. The NPOESS program is considered critical to the United States' ability to maintain the continuity of data required for weather forecasting (including severe weather events such as hurricanes) and global climate monitoring through the year 2026. Furthermore, this book evaluates the NPOESS program office's progress in restructuring the acquisition, evaluates their progress in establishing an effective management structure, and assesses the reliability of the life cycle cost estimate and proposed schedule. This book also identifies the status and key risks facing the program's major segments and evaluates the adequacy of the program's efforts to mitigate these risks.

Contents:

Intro

ENVIRONMENTAL SATELLITES:WEATHER AND ENVIRONMENTALINFORMATION SYSTEMS

CONTENTS

PREFACE

Chapter 1POLAR-ORBITING OPERATIONALENVIRONMENTAL SATELLITES:RESTRUCTURING IS UNDER WAY,BUT TECHNICAL CHALLENGESAND RISKS REMAIN∗

WHAT GAO FOUND

ABBREVIATIONS

RESULTS IN BRIEF

BACKGROUND

Polar Satellite Data and Products

NPOESS Overview

NPOESS Acquisition Strategy

NPOESS Experienced Cost Increases, Schedule Delays, and TechnicalProblems over Several Years

Nunn-McCurdy Process Led to a Decision to Restructure the NPOESSProgram

Earned Value Management Techniques Provide Insight onProgram Cost and Schedule

NPOESS ACQUISITION RESTRUCTURING IS WELL UNDERWAY, BUT KEY STEPS REMAIN TO BE COMPLETED

PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE IN ESTABLISHING ANEFFECTIVE NPOESSMANAGEMENT STRUCTURE, BUTEXECUTIVE TURNOVER WILL INCREASE RISKS, ANDSTAFFING PROBLEMS REMAIN

NPOESS Program Has Made Progress in Establishing an EffectiveManagement Structure and Increasing Oversight Activities, butExecutive Turnover Will Increase Program Risks

NPOESS Program Has Filled Key Vacancies but Lacks aProgramwide Staffing Process

METHODOLOGY SUPPORTING THE JUNE 2006 COST ANDSCHEDULE ESTIMATE WAS RELIABLE, BUT RECENT EVENTSCOULD INCREASE PROGRAM COSTS

Certified Program Estimates Were Developed Using an AcceptableMethodology

Recent Events Could Lead to Increased Program Costs or DelayedSchedules

MAJOR PROGRAM SEGMENTS ARE UNDER DEVELOPMENT,BUT SIGNIFICANT RISKS REMAIN

Space Segment-Progress Made, but Key Sensors Continue to FaceMajor Risks

Earned Value Data Show Problems on the Space Segment

Program Office Is Monitoring Sensor Risks and EvaluatingOptions

Ground Segment- Progress Has Been Made, but Work Remains

Ground Segment Cost and Schedule Are on Track.

Work andRisks Remain

Program Office Has Plans to Address IDPS Risks

Launch Segment-NPP Launch Preparation Has Begun, whileNPOESS Launch Planning Remains a Future Event

CONCLUSIONS

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EXECUTIVE ACTION

AGENCY COMMENTS AND OUR EVALUATION

APPENDIX I: OBJECTIVES, SCOPE, AND METHODOLOGY

APPENDIX II: OVERVIEW OF SATELLITE DATA PROCESSINGALGORITHMS AND THE CALIBRATION AND VALIDATIONPROCESS

APPENDIX III:COMMENTS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

APPENDIX IV:COMMENTS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

APPENDIX V: COMMENTS FROM THE NATIONALAERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

APPENDIX VI: GAO CONTACTAND STAFF ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

GAO Contact

Staff Acknowledgments

REFERENCES

Chapter 2ENVIRONMENTAL SATELLITES:POLAR-ORBITING SATELLITE ACQUISITIONFACES DELAYS

DECISIONS NEEDEDON WHETHER AND HOW TO ENSURECLIMATE DATA CONTINUITY∗

NPOESS Experienced Cost Increases, Schedule Delays, andTechnical Problems That Led to Decision to Restructure theNPOESS Program

Major Restructuring Activities Have Been Completed, but KeyRemaining Activities Could Affect Funding and Schedule

PROGRAM HAS MADE PROGRESS, BUT KEY MILESTONES HAVEBEEN DELAYED AND RISKS REMAIN

Ground Segment-Progress Made but Important Work Remains toBe Done

Space Segment-Progress Made, but One Sensor Was Delayed andSensors Continue to Face Risks

ProgramRisks Remain

Continued Oversight Is Needed to PreventFurther Cost Increases and Schedule Delays

AGENCIES HAVE UNDERTAKEN PRELIMINARY STEPS TORESTORE KEY SENSORS, BUT LACK TIMELY PLANS TOENSURE LONG-TERM DATA CONTINUITY

NASA, NOAA, and DOD Have Identified Priorities, AssessedOptions, and Made Decisions to Restore Selected Sensors

Agencies Lack Plans to Ensure Long-Term Data Continuity.

GAOMADE RECOMMENDATIONS TO ENSURE THATFUTURE CLIMATE NEEDS ARE ADDRESSED AND TOCOMPLETE RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES

APPENDIX I: STATUS OF KEY ACQUISITION DOCUMENTS

Chapter 3WRITTEN STATEMENT BYVICE ADMIRAL CONRAD LAUTENBACHER, JR.(U.S. NAVY, RET.)UNDER SECRETARY OF COMMERCE FOROCEANS AND ATMOSPHEREAND NOAAADMINISTRATOR NATIONALOCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERICADMINISTRATIONU.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

OVERSIGHT HEARING ON "ENVIRONMENTAL SATELLITESPOLAR-ORBITING SATELLITE ACQUISITION FACES DELAYS

DECISIONS NEEDED ON WHETHER AND HOW TO ENSURECLIMATE DATA CONTINUITY"

BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYSUBCOMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT U.S.HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

INTRODUCTION

STATUS OF THE NPOESS PROGRAM

COORDINATION OF TRI-AGENCY ACQUISITIONDECISION MEMORANDA

STATUS OF RESTORING KEY CLIMATE SENSORS

STATUS OF DEMANIFESTED SPACE WEATHER SENSORS

GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE (GAO)RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EXECUTIVE ACTION

CONCLUSION

APPENDIX 1 NPOESS INSTRUMENTS (AS OF JUNE 2008)

APPENDIX 2. STATUS OF THE CLIMATE SENSORS DEMANIFESTED DURING 2006RESTRUCTURING OF THE NPOESS PROGRAM

INDEX

Blank Page.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

1-61728-413-0

OCLC:

662453150