Supporting NOAA Research Goals

• Serve society's needs for weather and water information

  Floods, severe storms, and hurricanes cause 7½ times more insured losses across the globe than man-made disasters. STAR's products assist those who predict these catastrophes, and those who plan for or manage the effects of natural disasters.

• Understand climate variability and change

  Using satellite data intelligently, science can successfully monitor many aspects of climate change and variability, to enhance the ability of society to plan and respond.

• Protect, restore, and manage coastal and ocean resources through ecosystem-based management

  Managing the ecosystems along our nation's coasts and waters requires detailed observations that do not damage the environment being observed. Satellites can observe these critical resources without causing harm by sensing them remotely. NOAA has successfully observed coastal resources with satellites for many years.

• Information for safe, efficient, and environmentally sound transportation

  For transportation to be safe, people must identify hazards quickly and warn the operators of planes, trains, and ships. Satellites are well suited to perform this type of monitoring.

• Support for NOAA's Mission

  Mission support helps NOAA achieve its mission. STAR makes two contributions in this area:

  • Calibrating and verifying operational data from satellites
  • Assisting the satellite program office on design of satellites and instruments