Simulated GOES-R ABI imagery in AWIPS
Simulated GOES-R ABI imagery in AWIPS

GOES-R Satellite Proving Ground Mission Statement

The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES-R) Satellite Proving Ground project engages the National Weather Service (NWS) forecast and warning community in an interactive demonstration of selected capabilities anticipated from the next generation of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) geostationary earth observing systems.

The Proving Ground project objective is to bridge the gap between research to operations by:

A key element of this activity is a sustained interaction between Proving Ground team and NWS users for the purposes of training, product evaluation, and solicitation of user feedback. The Proving Ground relies on close coordination with the GOES-R Algorithm Working Group (AWG) and Risk Reduction programs as sources of demonstration products, and will enhance the operational transition pathway for those programs.

The intended outcomes of this project are an increased awareness for both developers and users of the GOES-R observing system, and an effective transition of unique GOES-R research products to the operational weather community.

The GOES-R Proving Ground will facilitate the testing and validation of new ideas, technologies and products before they become integrated into operational use. This proving ground is an essential component of GOES-R risk reduction, which will help to ensure that users are ready for the new types of satellite imagery and products that will be available in the upcoming GOES-R era (Table of ABI bands). GOES-R is scheduled to be launched in 2015.

The proving ground concept will allow satellite product developers at CIMSS, CIRA, and SPoRT to be involved with National Weather Service (NWS) forecasters at an early stage in product development, providing a unique opportunity for interaction between developers and users; CIMSS, CIRA, and SPoRT will build on close relationships already established with local and regional NWS Forecast Offices. Both the satellite product developers and the forecasters will test, apply and evaluate algorithms for new GOES-R satellite data and products using proxy and simulated data sets, including MODIS, AIRS, IASI, SEVIRI, NAST-I, NPP/VIIRS/CrIS, and model-simulated products.

Significant Activities:

The GOES-R Proving Ground Kick-Off Meeting was held at Boulder, Colorado on 15-16 May 2008; the meeting agenda and presentations are now available. Below is the proposed GOES-R Proving Ground Timeline; we welcome suggestions on how to improve it.

The 2008 NOAA STAR GOES-R Alogrithm Working Group Review was held at Madison, WI on 23-26 June 2008.

The Alaska Environmental Satellite Workshop was held at Fairbanks, Alaska on 29-31 July, 2008.