In the future NOAA will be flying new weather satellites including GOES R from geostationary orbit and NPOES from low earth orbit. In keeping with these new satellite requirements, it is necessary to consider more efficient and more effective SOC's (Satellite Operation Centers)

This paper describes a recent study by the Aerospace Corporation with NOAA to look at future satellite operations architecture options and specific current and emerging ground system technologies. A network-concentric , modular architecture is defined. Then a comparison of consolidated vs. multiple (distributed) SOCC's are compared for advantages and disadvantages. Advantages for consolidation include reduced cost and risks, mission efficiency and technology insertion. Disadvantages could include increased risks for resource contention, system complexity and recertification changes.

Then, technology opportunities associated with mission operations are compared against future mission operations tasks including routine satellite operations, ground receiving/networking, archiving of satellite telemetry, support for anomaly resolution, launch and early orbit support, end of life, and delivery of mission data.

Regarding the technologies, we used two approaches: a top-down relevance using future scenarios and a bottom-up likelihood using technology experts. Some examples of scenario future included: bunker mentality, utopia, and commercial space. Some examples from experts included: grid computing, software agents, and advanced displays. Combining the two approaches let to 16 ground technologies and 6 space technologies.

More examples or results for ground technologies were: advanced memory technologies, computer performance, COTS ground systems software, security devices, autonomous computing and digital rights management. More examples or results for space technologies were: autonomy and hyperspectral sensing, nanosatellite technology, on board optical interconnects, space-based backet switched communications and spacecraft crosslinks.

Future work is anticipated to include implementation plans for near term (5 year) and longer term (15 year). We plan to prioritize and show impact of emerging technologies to address the most important challenges for NOAA. This will include the technology implementation, best practices of other SOC's, and ground system capabilities to support NOAA's Integrated Observing System of the future.