Canada-U.S. Workshop on the Polar Communications and Weather (PCW) Mission

‘Extending GOES-R to the Arctic’

Welcome and Introduction

Day 1 Simplified Agenda– Technical description of PCW mission, status, plans, opportunities

– U.S. observing requirements that could be addressed by PCW

– U.S. capabilities that could be leveraged to:

▪ better meet US requirements▪ accelerate the PCW mission

– Articulate bases for possible cooperation and exchange

Day 2 Simplified Agenda

– Document and share recommendations with senior agency leadership

– Solicit agencies’ thoughts relative to level of US engagement on PCW

Format and Logistics

• Format: – Open discussion facilitated by co-chairs– Focus Questions

• Logistics: – Sign-in– Restrooms – Lunch – NSOF Tour– Dinner Plans

Premise

• We have common scientific and strategic interests in arctic observing: marine navigation (sea ice) and aviation safety (aerosols, volcanic ash), operational weather forecasting (imaging, derived products, assimilation / NWP), climate monitoring and assessment, space weather, and more.

• PCW observations could provide data valuable to US operational monitoring and forecasting capabilities.

• How valuable?

– cost/benefits will be influenced by scope of US engagement in missione.g, user coordinator collaborator partner

• Scope of engagement will require further investigation and assessment.

Operational Drivers

• NESDIS 1st priority is supporting operational missions of NWS, NMFS, NOS, NCS.

• Also recognize requirements of partner/user agencies (USAF, USN, USGS, NASA).

• We seek the perspectives of operational and technical managers regarding priority observing interests, opportunities and challenges that pertain to potential US and Canadian cooperation.

How US Contributes• U.S. and other international interest & involvement validates PCW mission

to Canadian government decision-makers.

• Can facilitate rapid build-out of PCW capacity for science product and application development, processing, dissemination, and instrument calibration.

How US Gains• Unique observations that support NOAA high-latitude operational

forecasting and monitoring, and advance NOAA strategic priorities in Climate, Arctic Science & Applications, and Space Weather.

• Extends US Geostationary satellite observing to the pole, fills major gaps.

• Complements GOES-R, JPSS and international constellations under GEOSS. Endorsed by WMO.

Enabling Agreements

• NOAA / Environment Canada MOU for Cooperative Activities– Steering Committee co-chaired by Mary Kicza and David Grimes– Agreed to four themes: Hydrology, Arctic, Climate, Forecast System Design

• North American Ice Service

– Collaboration among the Canadian Ice Service, U.S. National Ice Center and International Ice Patrol

• Canada-US Agreement on Cooperation on Space Activities– NASA-CSA leadership

• Current PCW Collaboration (based on hand-shakes)– NESDIS scientists support PCW International Science & Users’ Team– EC scientists serve on GOES-R Algorithm Review, JCSDA science steering committee– Environment Canada and NESDIS STAR /CIMSS Activities: winds, proxy data sets – NESDIS supported JPL trade study showing ABI easily adapted to PCW mission

Why U.S should be interested• PCW sensors matching GOES-R ABI channels and resolutions enable scientific

collaboration and could effectively extend GOES-R algorithms consistently and seamlessly to 90 N. A significant leveraging opportunity of GOES-R investments.

• Addresses gap in high latitude motion vector winds between 60N and 70N (limitation of polar and geostationary orbit geometries), and provides higher quality 15-minute refresh winds from 50N to the pole; impacts on medium range NWP.

• Operational value to Alaska Region NWS forecast offices for both quantitative and qualitative analysis (outside reach of GOES); could supply WFOs valuable data that it does not currently receive.

• NOAA’s Next-Generation Strategic Plan gives high priority to Arctic Science, Space Weather, and Climate Monitoring.

• These are just a few reasons ……. we need to hear from you

Backup Slides

Session III: Focus QuestionsScience Algorithms & Applications

Do you have observational requirements and gaps that PCW could uniquely meet?

• What geophysical observation might be obtained through PCW that would be of special operational or research importance to your agency or mission?

• To what extent could comparable information be derived using existing and planned polar and geo systems, or derived by other methods, and still meet your needs?

• Are there high priority high-latitude measurements that cannot be acquired, or acquired as well except through the vantage of an HEO?

• Are there specific scientific applications, improvements to situational awareness, or forecast benefits that PCW would more effectively enable?

• Can you conceive of enhanced economic benefits or environmental services that would be enabled by PCW?

• Can you conceive of a US payload of opportunity that could benefit your organization and mission?

Session IV: Focus QuestionsData Processing and Distribution

• Will the proposed Canadian PCW ground architecture and products meet NOAA/US user requirements (from previous session)? If not, where are there gaps?

• Is there a requirement/desire for processing by NOAA (or other US agency) of:

– Level 0 ; Level 1a-c image products; Level 2+ derived products

• How will PCW data and products interface to the NOAA (or other US agency) architecture?

• What technical capabilities do NOAA or other US agencies have that could augment or complement the proposed Canadian infrastructure to meet US requirements? e.g.,

– backup reception; science and processing algorithms; product generation, distribution, archive

• What ground segment coordination and development activities are required to maximize the access and utility of PCW data and products to meet US requirements?

Session V: Focal IssuesInstrument and Product Calibration / Validation

• Calibration requirements for PCW imager vs GOES-R ABI – Radiometric calibration – Geometric calibration ( Image Navigation and Registration) – Spectral calibration

• Planned instrument calibration approach – PCW spatial coverage and inter-calibration with GEO and LEO– Participation in GSICS

• Product validation – Cloud mask and scene ID - challenges in the Arctic– Cryospheric applications – PCW advantage for angular sampling

• Plans for instrument and product QC and performance monitoring during operational phase