Abstract
Small satellite opportunities in the US and abroad have blossomed into what seems to be a boundless new Space Age. The infrastructure for building and launching small satellites has matured rapidly. One aspect that seems to be lagging is getting these datasets into operational weather forecasting applications. Within this exciting new world, with seemingly unbounded opportunities, one must wonder “What could go wrong.” Coming with an experience base on satellite missions spanning more than a half century now, starting with the Orbiting Geophysical Observatory – 6 in June, 1969, the author of this presentation will offer some examples of what could go wrong. Some instances would seem best solved by the Government for supporting these opportunities, and other instances would seem to require engineering solutions by the Smallsat community developers. Radiometric performance for Small Sat missions will get special attention. The ideas presented are solely the presenter’s point of view and do not represent any official positions of either NOAA or Stellar Solutions.
Hurdles for Small Sat Datasets in NOAA Operational Missions
Small satellite opportunities in the US and abroad have blossomed into what seems to be a boundless new Space Age. The infrastructure for building and launching small satellites has matured rapidly. One aspect that seems to be lagging is getting these datasets into operational weather forecasting applications. Within this exciting new world, with seemingly unbounded opportunities, one must wonder “What could go wrong.” Coming with an experience base on satellite missions spanning more than a half century now, starting with the Orbiting Geophysical Observatory – 6 in June, 1969, the author of this presentation will offer some examples of what could go wrong. Some instances would seem best solved by the Government for supporting these opportunities, and other instances would seem to require engineering solutions by the Smallsat community developers. Radiometric performance for Small Sat missions will get special attention. The ideas presented are solely the presenter’s point of view and do not represent any official positions of either NOAA or Stellar Solutions.