Risk Reduction Strategies in NOAA's New Space Architecture

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) conducted a study, titled the NOAA Satellite Observing System Architecture (NSOSA) study, to plan for the next generation of weather satellites. This study provided an opportunity to evaluate risk reduction strategies in the design of a modern architecture. The study formally concluded in the fall of 2017 and major results were presented at the AMS Symposium in 2018. This paper will provide an outline of some of the methodologies studied to reduce risk of deploying a new constellation. Some of these strategies include:

1. Hosting additional imagers on commercial satellites
2. Redundant sounders in multiple orbits using small satellites
3. Enhanced availability of core measurements and commensurate launch schedules
4. Commercial services
5. Technology demonstrations and instruments of opportunity