[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 105 (Thursday, May 31, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 24975]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-11599]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XG169


Notice of Availability of a NOAA Satellite Observing System 
Architecture Study Draft Report and Public Meeting

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of availability of a NOAA Satellite Observing System 
Architecture Study draft report; request for comments; public meeting.

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SUMMARY: In planning for the future operational environmental satellite 
system to follow the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite 
System--R Series (GOES-R, S, T, and U) and the Joint Polar Satellite 
System (JPSS-1, 2, 3, and 4), beginning about 2028, NOAA has conducted 
a study of the NOAA Satellite Observing System Architecture (NSOSA). 
The development of a future system presents an opportunity to design a 
modern architecture by broadly examining instruments, services, 
platforms, and orbits, driven by user needs, new technology, and 
exploiting emerging space business models. The NSOSA study team 
developed and evaluated nearly 100 architecture alternatives, including 
partner and commercial contributions that are likely to become 
available. Through https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=NOAA-NESDIS-2018-0053, the public can view the NOAA Satellite Observing System 
Architecture Study draft report, submit ideas, review submissions from 
other parties, and make comments.
    All comments are welcome. In particular, NOAA would like comments 
on the following areas:
    Did NOAA consider a sufficiently broad range of alternatives?
    Are the opportunities that the analysis identified as deserving of 
consideration consistent with your knowledge of the state of the space 
enterprise?
    Are there outcomes or options that you recommend for further 
analysis?
    What suggestions do you have on engagement with industry, including 
innovative capability development approaches, partnership 
opportunities, and business models that may inform NOAA's path forward?
    What suggestions do you have on engagement with the academic and 
research community and other stakeholders to ensure NOAA makes the best 
use of the outputs of this study?
    NOAA previously discussed the NSOSA study at the American 
Meteorological Society Annual Meeting in January 2018; these 
presentations are available at https://ams.confex.com/ams/98Annual/meetingapp.cgi/Session/44459 and https://ams.confex.com/ams/98Annual/meetingapp.cgi/Session/44460. NOAA will continue to engage the public 
regarding NOAA's future satellite architecture planning. NOAA will use 
the results of this public comment period and public event to shape 
follow-on engagements.

DATES: Comments must be received by 5 p.m. on July 2, 2018. A meeting 
will be held on June 21, 2018. For additional details, see 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by 
NOAA-NESDIS-2018-0053, by either of the following methods:
    Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via 
the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=NOAA-NESDIS-2018-0053, click the ``Comment Now!'' icon, 
complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments.
    Mail: Submit written comments to: Office of System Architecture and 
Advance Planning, U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, National Environmental Satellite, Data, and 
Information Service, Room 5450, 1335 East-West Highway, Silver Spring 
MD, 20910.
    Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other 
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, 
may not be considered by NOAA. All comments received are a part of the 
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on 
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying 
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business 
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily 
by the sender will be publicly accessible. Additional information as 
well as instructions on how to submit comments can be found at the 
following website: https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=NOAA-NESDIS-2018-0053. The NOAA Satellite Observing System Architecture Study 
report can also be viewed here.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kate Becker, NESDIS Office of System 
Architecture and Advance Planning (OSAAP), U.S. Department of Commerce, 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Environmental 
Satellite, Data, and Information Service, Room 5450, 1335 East West 
Highway, Silver Spring, MD, 20910. (Phone: 301-713-7049, 
[email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NESDIS will hold a public event to discuss 
the NOAA Satellite Observing System Architecture Study report on June 
21, 2018, at 9:00 a.m. at the Silver Spring Civic Building, 1 Veterans 
Pl, Silver Spring, MD 20910. This Community Day will include a public 
session and the opportunity for one-on-one meetings with NESDIS. 
Further information and registration is available at https://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/content/nesdis-community-engagements or by 
contacting OSAAP by mail, phone, or email as listed above (see 
ADDRESSES).

    Dated: May 24, 2018.
Karen St. Germain,
Director, Office of Systems Architecture and Advance Planning NOAA 
Satellite and Information Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-11599 Filed 5-30-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-HR-P