Exploring the Unknown - NASA's History Office

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OBSERVING THE EARTH FROM SPACE
development work on a new, common satellite. The Government ought to examine
whether it would make more sense to speed things up.
I propose that DoD consider transferring to NOAA two DMSP buses, which NOAA could
then modify for the TIROS configuration and add to it the TIROS sensors. This would give
DoD and NOAA 7 satellites each. It would save money in the short term, some of which could
be used to fund development of a common satellite system. This is important because budgets
are so tight for both DoD and NOAA that neither may be able to afford modernization
on their own. It would also mean that DoD and NOAA would likely use up their inventories
at about the same time, for a smooth transition to a new common system.
I am writing to urge you and Deputy Secretary of Defense Perry to create a formal working
group under appropriate senior officials to attempt to resolve any outstanding issues
standing in the way of merging the two government polar-orbiting weather satellite systems.
What is required is leadership from both agencies to resolve issues of data encryption;
management of a merged system; potential transfer of DoD assets to NOAA; integration
with European meteorological satellite efforts; and cooperation with NASA on the Earth
Observing System polar platform.
[3] To take one example, without the personal involvement of you and Secretary Perry,
subordinate DoD officials will continue to insist that data must be encrypted and NOAA
will insist that encryption is not acceptable. My suspicion is that the case for encryption
rests on weak arguments, given the availability of geosynchronous satellites, and
European, Chinese, Russian, and NOAA systems all broadcasting in the clear. On the
other hand, NOAA may be shortsighted in disregarding other national interests that
might justify some form of encryption capability. Resolving this type of problem requires
creativity from top policymakers.
The nation cannot afford to maintain and modernize two satellite weather constellations.
Working together, however, DoD, NOAA and NASA could pool resources, achieve
efficiency and improve capabilities at reduced cost to the taxpayer.
I look forward to hearing your views.
cc: Deputy Secretary of Defense William Perry
Vice President Al Gore
NASA Administrator Goldin
Document II-9
Sincerely,
Jim Exon
United States Senator
Document title: National Performance Review, Department of Commerce, “Establish a
Single Civilian Operational Environmental Polar Satellite Program,” September 30, 1993.
Source: NASA Historical Reference Collection, NASA History Office, NASA
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.
This document spells out the financial advantages of achieving the consolidation of the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite
System and the Defense Department’s Defense Meteorological Satellite Program. It also points out that
a consolidated or converged system with NASA involvement could make efficient use of NASA’s development
of new Earth observation instruments. This document was part of the Clinton administration’s
National Performance Review.