Exploring the Unknown - NASA's History Office

164
OBSERVING THE EARTH FROM SPACE
Key Sensors and Priorities for NOAA’s and DOD’s Polar Meteorological Programs
Agency and Data Acquired Sensor Attributes
NOAA
Multispectral imagery Advanced Very High Calibrated, multispectral imagery
(cloud, vegetation) Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR)
Temperature and humidity TIROS Operational Vertical High spatial resolution, cross-
(initialize numerical weather Sounder (TOVS) track scanning (PM equator
prediction model) crossing)
DOD
Visible and infrared cloud Operational Linescan System Constant field of view; low-light
imagery (cloud-detection (OLS) (early AM crossing)
forecast, tactical imagery
dissemination)
Microwave imagery (ocean Special Sensor Microwave/Imager Conical scan
winds, precipitation) (SSM/I)
Temperature and humidity Special Sensor Microwave/ Low spatial resolution, cross-track
(electro-optical propagation, Temperature Sounder (SSM/T-1); scanning
initialize numerical weather Special Sensor Microwave/
prediction models) Water Vapor Sounder (SSM/T-2)
Source: Office of Technology Assessment, U.S. Congress, Civilian Satellite Remote Sensing: A
Strategic Approach, OTA-ISS-607 (Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office,
September 1994), p. 79.
In February 1993, Representative George Brown, then chair of the House Committee
on Science, Space, and Technology, sent a letter to NOAA Administrator D. James Baker,
requesting a review of the NOAA and DOD polar-orbiting programs to explore possible
cost savings. [II-7] As a result of this initiative and similar interest within the Clinton
administration, the two agencies began to examine the two programs once again. A few
months later, Senator James Exon, chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Nuclear
Deterrence, Arms Control and Defense Intelligence, sent a similar request to Commerce
Secretary Ron Brown. [II-8] A report of the U.S. Congress Office of Technology
Assessment also offered consolidation of the two programs as an option for reducing federal
spending. 42
By July 1993, the two major convergence studies were consolidated into a single triagency
study involving DOD, NASA, and NOAA. With input from this study, by September
1993, Vice President Al Gore’s National Performance Review made a firm proposal to integrate
the two systems. [II-9] This proposal estimated that the government would save $300
42. Ray A. Williamson, “NASA’s Mission to Planet Earth,” Statement before the Space Subcommittee of
the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, May 6, 1993; U.S. Congress, Office of Technology
Assessment, The Future of Remote Sensing: Civilian Satellite Systems and Applications, OTA-ISC-548 (Washington, DC:
U.S. Government Printing Office, July 1993), p. 16.