Data Processing and Utilization Programs for the analysis and study of meteorological satellite data and the development of analysis and forecasting techniques exist under the cognizance of both the USWB and DOD.

The Weather Bureau has the responsibility in the research and development program for data analysis and subsequent basic and applied research. The Meteorological Satellite Laboratory has been established for this purpose. This organization is interpreting meteorological satellite data to increase our understanding of the atmosphere and its processes. The Laboratory utilizes the results of these basic studies in developing practical analysis and forecasting techniques for operational use. Laboratory personnel at the command and data acquisition stations perform

operational meteorological analysis of data from R. & D. satellites and participate in the programing of the satellite measurements. The NMC of the Weather Bureau carries out the central analysis of data from meteorological satellites, incorporates these analyses into more conventional analyses, and transmits the results over civil and military communications circuits.

The Air Force and Navy are participating with the Weather Bureau in the staffing of the meteorological groups at the CDA stations. In addition, these organizations are conducting research to develop techniques for utilizing meteorological satellite data to meet specialized military requirements. The U.S. Navy Photographic Interpretation Center has been participating in the R. & D. program by assisting in the processing of satellite cloud pictures.

AN ILLUSTRATIVE organization chart depicting the management structure of the Operational Meteorological Satellite System is shown in figure 12. This plan proposes that the United States Weather Bureau, as the existing National Meteorological Service, be assigned the overall management responsibility for the National Operational Meteorological Satellite System. The system office would be a self-contained newly created team within the USWB. Because of its projected experience and capability in the development and launching of the Nimbus and Aeros spacecraft, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration will carry out these portions of the operational meteorological satellite program under contract to the Department of Commerce and will participate in spacecraft control and programing, tracking, and data acquisition.

Advice to the Chief of the U.S. Weather Bureau concerning the requirements of other agencies will be provided through an interagency coordinating group.

The project management structure and field operational offices will be staffed primarily by personnel supplied by the Managing Agency. User participation is, however, considered to be highly desirable. This can be accomplished by the assignment of personnel from the interested agencies to tours of duty in staff and operating positions of the satellite system, as is done now in

the Federal Aviation Agency, NASA, and the Weather Bureau. The assignment of such personnel will aid in effective working level liaison and coordination between the agencies concerned, as well as contributing directly to the accomplishment of the work objectives. In those instances where significant portions of the operation are being conducted by contractors, full-time resident representatives of the contractor will be stationed with the management agency. All staff assigned to the organization for a tour of duty will be administratively as well as technically responsible to the Director.

A. Project Director

The Project Director will report directly to the Chief, U.S. Weather Bureau. He will receive advice on user requirements and maintain direct working coordination with the several government agencies associated with or interested in the program through the Resident Liaison Office. This group will consist of the official liaison representatives of both civilian and military agencies, as contrasted to personnel of such agencies assigned for tours of duty as full members of the system. As requirements for their services exist, consultants (such as university scientists) may be associated with this group or other offices of the system on either a permanent or an ad hoc basis.

1. PLANS AND PROGRAMS

Planning and programing functions will be placed in one office which will serve as part of the general technical staff of the Director. The Plans and Program Office will collect and consolidate the user requirements as the basis for formulating plans and preparing budget requests relating to operations and contract activities. Program evaluation and monitoring will also be a function of this Office.

2. INTERNATIONAL COORDINATION

The Office of International Coordination will be concerned with all aspects of the program involving other nations. This Office will represent the system in negotiations with the Department of State and other agencies with regard to necessary tracking and CDA stations and communications facilities on foreign territory. It will also be responsible for determining and recommending ways in which the system can be of maximum benefit to the international meteorological community, including dissemination of data and analyses, and providing assistance in the establishment of local direct readout facilities and later of local data acquisition stations.

3. REQUIREMENTS AND SPECIFICATIONS

This Office will develop technical requirements and specifications for the system and its components. It will review contractor proposals, make engineering systems analysis, and maintain liaison with research and development activities of other agencies or institutions, particularly NASA. 4. SUPPORT SERVICES OFFICE

Management support services will be provided directly to the system by an Office responsible to the Director. Emphasis will be placed on effective contractual activities. The division will furnish general and administrative services relating to such matters as personnel, procurement, security, public information, legal and contractual activities, budget and fiscal, accounting, and other general support functions.

B. Pre-Injection Engineering and
Operations

The engineering, fabrication, and launching of meteorological spacecraft, including ground support equipment, will be the responsibility of an Associate Director for Pre-Injection Engineering and Operations. These functions will be implemented, under contract to the Department of Commerce, by an Operational Meteorological Satellite Office of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Within this office, the (1) Support Engineering, (2) Spacecraft and Ground Support Equipment, and (3) Launch Vehicles and Launching groups will perform the functions their names imply. Necessary technical engineering support and coordination for (postlaunch) space flight operations will be carried out between the Spacecraft and Ground Support Equipment group of NASA, and the Programing and Control, and Data Acquisition groups of the System.

C. Post-Injection Operations

An Associate Director for Post-Injection Operations will be responsible for basic satellite tracking, which will be accomplished through existing national facilities. Programing and control of the spacecraft while in orbit, and the acquisition of data at CDA stations will also be a responsibility of this office. These latter activities will require close technical coordination with the Spacecraft and Ground Support Equipment group of NASA. Participation of NASA personnel, particularly during early phases, is mandatory due to the close tie between ground support equipment and spacecraft subsystems. The communication of data from CDA stations to the NMC and the central data processing facility located at the National Meteorological Center will be under the direction of this office. These activities will be carried out by (1) Tracking, (2) Programing and Control, (3) Data Acquisition, (4) Communications, and (5) Data Processing groups.