CNN Reports on Aging Earth Observation Satellites

In a brief report entitled "U.S. could lose aging eyes in the sky," CNN listed the challenges with aging earth observation satellite system this way:

• Tights budgets, growing costs and failed launches hurt satellite programs, report finds
• "We'll be hobbling through the year 2012," Idaho scientist says
• Nearly three-quarters of 23 Earth-observation satellites could go dark by 2020
• NASA calls the report from National Research Council (NRC) "overly pessimistic"

The NRC report goes on to say that, "These precipitous decreases [in satellite fleet] warn of a coming crisis in Earth observations from space, in which our ability to observe and understand the Earth system will decline just as Earth observations are critically needed to underpin important decisions facing our nation and the world," according to a May report from the Academy's National Research Council. "Advances in weather forecast accuracy may slow or even reverse, and gaps in time series of climate and other critical Earth observations are almost certain to occur."

ERMA (at one time demo for Geoportal.gov) Basis for Arctic Response GIS

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced today they are partnering to enhance the Environmental Response Management Application (ERMA®) for the Arctic region by summer 2012. ERMA® is the same interactive online mapping tool used by federal responders during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. This effort will help address numerous challenges in the Arctic where increasing ship traffic and proposed energy development are increasing the risk of oil spills and chemical releases.

That's all good, but isn't the ultimate goal for these sorts of efforts to use Geoplatform.gov? Maybe since that technology is still in beta, these groups went with a tested solution.

- NOAA press release

Congress: NOAA Should Explore Charging for its Satellite Data

For decades, scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have been carving satellite data into customized chunks that help other federal agencies solve some unusual problems—at no cost to the users. But faced with soaring NOAA satellite costs and a bleak budget outlook, lawmakers last month ordered the agency to explore ways of charging other federal agencies—and perhaps even some large consortiums of academic scientists that partner with government agencies—for its "specialized data products." It's time, they argue, for beneficiaries to help NOAA sustain a cash-strapped satellite program. A storm is brewing over the suggestion.