JCSDA Roadmap, Strategic Plan and Future Challenges

JCSDA Roadmap

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Strategic Plan

Strategic Plan for the Joint Center for Satellite Data Assimilation, FY 2007-2012 (PDF, 1.4MB)

Message from the Director

Effective environmental prediction depends on a number of critical elements. Accurate, timely, and well-distributed observations of the state of the Earth's environment comprise one of these elements. Effective and sophisticated algorithms and techniques for the quality control and analysis of these observations are another. Models that embody the physical and chemical laws governing the behavior of the Earth's land surface, oceans, and atmosphere, and computers with the power to run these models rapidly enough to make timely predictions are also essential elements of an effective environmental analysis and prediction system.

The science of data assimilation is the mortar that binds these elements into successful prediction systems. Modern satellite sensors provide observations with an accuracy, coverage, and resolution essential for this data assimilation task. The Joint Center for Satellite Data Assimilation (JCSDA) is dedicated to efficiently developing, in a coordinated fashion, improved satellite data assimilation capability in operational agencies in the United States.

This activity is best done on a coordinated multi-agency basis, as the common development work necessary to assimilate these billions of satellite observations each day can be partitioned and shared to avoid needless duplication across the agencies. It also allows the Center to draw on the extensive scientific expertise that is available in the partnering agencies and their University collaborators. The importance of satellite data assimilation to successful environmental prediction cannot be overstated. Successful environmental prediction is vital to the safety, security, and economic well being of the nation and its citizens.

Future Challenges

• Develop community environmental data assimilation and forecast systems for both global and regional scale applications
• Optimize assimilation of advanced satellite data, including NASA research satellite radiances, in operational models
• Optimize the integration of NPOESS and GOES-R data into NOAA, NASA and DoD operational assimilation and forecast systems
• Improve the JCSDA CRTM
• Implement 4D data assimilation
• Support training and education for scientists in data assimilation
• Prepare to integrate GEOSS data into assimilation and modeling