Transition of research to operations for satellite observations

NOAA environmental satellites provide critical atmospheric, oceanic, climatic, and space weather products supporting weather forecasts and warnings, climate analysis and prediction, ecosystems management, and safe and efficient transportation on the surface, air and sea. NOAA's operational satellite missions are complemented by measurements from several NASA research satellite missions. NOAA is examining approaches to affordably sustain several of these research measurements that have significantly benefited operational performance. This talk will address the status of NOAA's efforts to implement a routine process for transitioning satellite research observations to NOAA's long-term operations. Examples of recent successes, current plans, and continuing challenges in this transition process will be described. Recent efforts to establish formal approaches with NASA, the commercial sector, and international partners will also be presented.