Applying a Product Portfolio Management Approach to Air Quality and Atmospheric Composition Satellite Products

Air quality continues to be a growing concern across the globe. Atmospheric particulates, volatile organic compounds, and trace gasses such as sulfur dioxide and methane can impact human health, affect aviation, contribute to climate change, transport micronutrients to remote environments, among many others. The composition of the atmosphere is influenced by a spatiotemporal diversity of sources, both acute and diffuse, including traffic emissions, wildfires, volcanic eruptions, and methane outgassing from wetlands to name a few. Satellite remote sensing can enable our ‘eyes in the sky’ to monitor, track, and quantify the atmospheric composition across the United States and beyond. Emerging technologies and innovations, including hyperspectral atmospheric composition sensing, will enable air quality managers access to new products and will improve models for near-real-time decision-making. Recent satellite missions such as NASA’s Earth Venture Instrument mission TEMPO and the future constellation of GeoXO will allow for innovative science development, testing, and application. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has shifted to a Product Portfolio Management (PPM) approach for all level 2+ satellite products. The Air Quality and Atmospheric Composition Portfolio was established to enable responsiveness to the NOAA Mission and create a seamless on-ramp for the next generation of air quality and atmospheric composition products. PPM is working across NOAA to facilitate new and enhanced products to better inform air quality forecasting and other priority mission areas. A current example is the planned transition into operations of a new Aerosol Layer Height product which will improve near-surface aerosol products and decrease the associated uncertainty. The PPM approach will continue to enable NOAA mission-driven operations and the development of satellite products. It will additionally allow for the exploration of potential future Product Portfolio areas to develop including greenhouse gasses.