Integrated Ground Enterprise (IGE) Considerations to Support NOAA Satellite Observing System Architecture (NSOSA) Trades

Over the last two years the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) has been transitioning into operation the next generation of core geostationary and polar orbiting environmental satellites (GOES-R series and JPSS series). These platforms will serve as NOAA’s primary source of satellite weather data for the next decade. In order to assess viable alternatives for what will follow in the post-GOES-R and JPSS timeframe, the NESDIS Office of Systems Architecture and Advance Planning (OSAAP) has been developing future space-based observing system “trade space” options through the NSOSA study. The NSOSA study team has developed over 150 specific satellite constellations that fit into approximately ten different architectures. These architectures and constellations serve as the basis for optimizing a cost effective mixture of observation platforms, instruments, and data sources to support future NESDIS customer needs.

The NESDIS Office of Satellite Ground Services (OSGS) has joined OSAAP in creating a repeatable “model-driven” Ground Architecture Assessment (GAA) methodology for analyzing future specific high value NOAA constellations. The goal is to consistently evaluate the technology risks, opportunities, and operational constraints that would guide a corresponding Integrated Ground Enterprise (IGE) architecture of the future. The methodology features an assessment of relevant ground technologies (including their Technology Readiness Level (TRL), potential baseline requirements changes, operational models to enhance impact assessments, and recommendations for further targeted studies.

This presentation will describe the ongoing NSOSA-IGE analysis activities; and describe lessons learned from an initial GAA pilot focused on a representative higher-value constellation.