Application of a Consistent Algorithm Change Approach to the NESDIS Ground Systems

Last year, NESDIS applied the lessons learned from the successful algorithm change process of the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (S-NPP) and the NPP Data Exploitation (NDE) programs to establish an efficient process for updating the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite R-Series (GOES-R) algorithms and configuration tables in the operational baseline. Through use on both the polar and geostationary programs, a solution applicable to the entire NESDIS enterprise can be established which will streamline how the various NESDIS organizations work together to institute changes into the operational ground systems.

The GOES–R Ground Segment Project worked with the GOES-R Calibration Working Group, Algorithm Working Group, and Flight Project to define a process that allowed scientists insight into progress of resolution of issues they identified through their calibration/validation activities, and an opportunity to verify that the issues had been resolved correctly prior to implementation in the operational system. This process leveraged the terminology and tools derived for the S-NPP Ground Segment and adjusted for the different program responsibilities of the algorithm team members. The process began to be used as the final data product algorithm deliveries from the Ground Segment Contractor were made and the pre-launch Data Operations Exercises began in the Spring of 2015.

This presentation will describe the common algorithm change process, how it was applied to GOES-R, the differences between the processes as applied at the different programs, and the benefits of an enterprise approach to all programs.