NOAA's analysis of observing system investment decisions: Approach used to assess alternatives for satellite-based Ocean Color observations

Abstract

Rapidly increasing observing system (satellite) costs, a growing set of unmet observation requirements, and relatively fixed rates of funding have created an urgent need to optimize all facets of observing capabilities within the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Techniques to leverage multiple data sources and expand partnerships are needed for NOAA to ensure continuity of its operational mission capability/product quality, at a minimum, and achieve improved performance, where feasible. Faced with these challenges, NOAA's senior decision makers are looking towards using more rigorous methods to address their critical observing gaps. This paper will describe one analytical approach that is currently being used to evaluate a specific category of an observation requirement (Ocean Color). This approach may be adopted by NOAA as a general technique for analyzing observing system alternatives. This paper outlines the approach used to evaluate options to mitigate a potential continuity gap for Ocean Color (OC). The plan evaluated satellite data sources with respect to performance and effectiveness, cost and technical and programmatic risks. Additionally (with respect to performance of data sources), the evaluation considered the calibration capabilities to ensure consistency and quality of the OC data record. The mitigation plan approach presented here is intended to be transferable and adaptable to a follow-on, broader scope OC AoA.