Research and Applications
For many years, Noblis has supported the NESDIS Center for Satellite Applications and Research (STAR). STAR conducts scientific research on the use of satellite data for monitoring meteorological, climatological, terrestrial, and oceanographic environmental characteristics. Among our contributions was the pursuit of further knowledge regarding the prediction of climate change and variability. Quality climate data records are key to drawing reasonable conclusions about climate change. Noblis assisted STAR in developing and presenting a white paper to a Committee of the National Academy of Science, representing the scientific and user climate communities for the purpose of exchanging knowledge and soliciting advice from the scientific climate community on establishing a program for generating long-term climate data records. Our work resulted in NOAA beginning the creation of an operational infrastructure and an end-to-end process for creating, archiving, and distributing climate data records to the scientific community.
Ocean Exploration
Our oceans account for 97 percent of the space for living things on this planet. Despite continuous advances in undersea technology development, less than 5 percent of the oceans has been explored or characterized to the same degree of resolution as we have characterized Mars and Venus. Reason tells us that exploration of these vast unknown ocean regions with modern tools and technologies will lead to many discoveries that will benefit the U.S. economy.
In June 2000, the President of the United States called for the beginning of a new era of Ocean Exploration and requested a new national strategy to explore the oceans. A panel of experts reported back in October with a vision for an invigorated program in their report: Discovering Earth's Final Frontier: A U.S. Strategy for Ocean Exploration. In response, NOAA prepared an ocean exploration initiative in 2002 that led to the creation of the Office of Ocean Exploration (OE) within the NOAA Research Office.
Noblis supported OE in the development of the OE data management capability. OE provides a central focus for the collection of all types of ocean exploration information and data in a multitude of formats. This information was prepared for operational use and archiving at existing facilities, such as the NOAA data centers and central library. Noblis assisted OE's data collection activities, which were designed to determine how the supporting system would operate and interact with institutional partners and stakeholders in the management of ocean exploration data, how the implementation and action plan for the ocean exploration program would be conducted, and how OE would plan for and implement its strategy for developing an ocean exploration data management capability. Noblis supported decision-making regarding leveraging existing assets into effective ocean exploration expeditions and projects of ocean discovery.
Noblis delivered a comprehensive Data Management Strategy for OE to the government that received wide distribution within the NOAA data management organization for its comprehensive view of end-to-end data management issues. Noblis performed a lead role in the development of a concept of operations for ocean exploration data management and an implementation plan for a prototype system capability. Noblis also supported a related initiative within NOAA to examine the feasibility of establishing a centralized digital video data management system that would meet needs across all of the NOAA line offices and provide a conduit for public access to this data.
Ocean Exploration Strategic Planning
Noblis developed a framework for an ocean exploration strategic plan and included components consistent with NOAA's strategic plan and other components typically contained in a strategic plan of this scope. Noblis developed the strategic priorities of the Ocean Exploration Program through input from selected regional participants and representatives from national-level stakeholders who would be likely sponsors and partners in ocean exploration activities. Using the results of this framework development, related national needs assessment activities, and supplemental guidance from the government, Noblis developed the current Ocean Exploration Program Strategic Plan.
National Ocean Exploration Needs Assessment
Noblis designed and facilitated the proceedings of eight regional OE exploration workshops at various locations throughout the country. These workshops assisted in developing the program priorities of OE through input from a wide and informed community. Noblis recorded and analyzed the results of these workshops and delivered a comprehensive summary report to the government. Noblis also supported the design, preparation, materials development, facilitation, and recording of a national-level Ocean Exploration Review that further developed program priorities using the contributions of national stakeholders and program champions.