J87 



multaneously ; for tliis reason ocean and at- 

 mosphere sensors should be aboard the same 

 platforms. However, the National Aero- 

 nautics and Space Administration (NASA) 

 treats the development of ocean sensors as 

 part of its earth resources program ; further 

 developments may lead to ocean sensors being 

 coupled with sensors developed to map spe- 

 cific resources. 



Conceptually, there is much attraction to 

 arrangements which would permit all 

 aspects of the environment, including 

 the solid earth, to be monitored through a 

 single system. But the Commission has con- 

 cluded that the time is not appropriate. In 

 the absence of overriding engineering or cost 

 considerations, the Commission does, how- 

 ever, believe that ocean-atmosphere observa- 

 tions should be coupled. Currently NASA 

 and the Navy are working together in a 

 research and development program in space- 

 craft oceanography, and Navy is separately 

 pursuing a progranl in aircraft remote sen- 

 sors. NASA is also working closely with 

 other Federal agencies in environmental re- 

 search and development programs involving 

 use of spacecraft. 



The development and use of satellites for 

 environmental monitoring requires close co- 

 operation between NASA and the user 

 agency. The relationship of the National 

 Weather Satellite Program to NASA pro- 

 vides an example of a successful working 

 arrangement. NASA now has the responsibil- 

 ity for the development of new sensors to be 

 carried aboard meteorological satellites; the 

 performance specifications are prepared by 

 ESSA. NASA launches the satellite and 

 places it in the prescribed orbit. Wlien certi- 

 fied as fully operational, ESSA takes over 

 and maintains operational control, receives 

 data through its own read-out stations, and 

 transmits appropriate raw and analyzed 

 satellite data over standard meteorological 



Manned spacecraft and satellites 

 have already demonstrated their 

 usefiilucss for ocean-atmosphere 

 ohscrrations, lihe tlie view of 

 Hurricane Gladys as seen from 

 Apollo 7 in IfJGS. Bclotc, an 

 ESSA weather satellite receives 

 a prclaunching checkout. 



communications and circuits. These ar- 

 rangements have yielded excellent system 

 performance. 



The Commission recommends that the Na- 

 tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency 

 (NOAA) make arrangements with the Na- 



