About the Gap Risk Study
This study will seek ideas from all sources to help preserve NOAA’s numerical weather forecast product quality in the event of a loss of NOAA polar satellite data.
It will consist of an enterprise-wide examination, from candidate alternative sensors through data assimilation and on to forecast model performance.
It is intended to provide a comprehensive list of contingency options that could be exercised in the event of a gap in polar satellite observations.
NOAA has long been concerned about the potential for a gap in polar satellite coverage in the afternoon orbit.
In addition to reports from Inspector General and the Government Accountability Office on this topic,
NOAA has also convened an Independent Review Team
to review the progress of our satellite programs and identify the challenges ahead.
These reports have all substantiated NOAA's concerns regarding the gap.
NOAA is taking positive steps to mitigate the negative impacts to NOAA’s numerical weather forecasts that could be introduced by a lack of polar satellite data.
To this end, NOAA has commissioned an investigative study to broadly explore all available options,
such as substitute observation data, alternative modeling data, and data assimilation improvements.
NOAA is convening teams of internal and external experts, industry leaders,
foreign partners, and academia to study each of these areas.
As a part of this effort, and to ensure we examine all potential solutions , NOAA is also seeking comments, suggestions, and innovative ideas from the public on how to preserve the quality and timeliness of NOAA’s numerical weather forecasts should we experience a loss of polar satellite environmental data. Through this web portal, the public can submit ideas, review submissions from other parties, and make comments and collaborate on ideas.
If you have further questions about the JPSS Gap Mitigation Study please contact David Hermreck at david.hermreck@noaa.gov.
JPSS GAP MITIGATION STUDY |
Important Privacy Information
Please see www.noaa.gov/privacy for general privacy policy information. Please read the following for important supplementary details.
This JPSS Gap Mitigation survey is intended to collect information from all sources, including the public, industry, academia and government regarding potential solutions to respond to degradation in the National Weather Service (NWS) products and services which could result from a loss of capability in satellite-based observations. Information provided on this site will be available to the general public for review and comments. Inappropriate submissions, however, will not be available for public review and comment. Inappropriate submissions include items not germane to the subject or containing proprietary information, materials deemed primarily to be advertising, obscenity or other objectionable material.
Do not submit proprietary or company confidential information through this website. Such information will not be considered. All other submissions will be evaluated for merit. See How Your Idea Will Be Evaluated for details. You will not be notified of the results of the evaluation. NOAA may use any idea submitted, in whole or in part, without attribution or payment of any kind to the submitter. The public will be provided the opportunity to comment on your idea. Comments may be provided by NOAA staff. Any such comments do not imply an endorsement by NOAA of submitted ideas and may not relate to final idea evaluation. Anyone, including NOAA personnel, may take your submitted idea and repost the idea in whole or in part.
If you provide identifying information, NOAA may contact you with clarifying questions on your submission. Your contact information, as provided on the web entry form, will not be publicly posted. Identifying information contained in the descriptive information data fields may be redacted or preserved for public review. Identifying information contained in uploaded files will not be removed and will be available to the public, upon request. The presence of corporate identifiers or information in provided materials does not imply a government endorsement.
