User Preparation for new Satellite generations   ET-SUP-5 gave us the Action 5.2 The Virtual Lab Management Group should prepare a generic transition plan to support user readiness for new satellite generations, incorporating the elements discussed by ET-SUP-5, and present it to ET-SUP-6. (Due date: ET-SUP-6)

User Preparation for new Satellite generations   VLMG-5 should review ongoing activities (e.g. GOES-R proving Ground) VLMG-5 should outline necessary steps to enable users to benefit from new products and services from day-1 of operations of new satellite systems The events and activities should be listed in bullet form Guidance concerning the timeline of events should be referenced relative to the foreseen launch and commissioning dates

The GOES-R Proving Ground   What . . . is the Proving Ground? The Proving Ground is a collaborative effort between the GOES-R program office, cooperative institutes, weather forecast offices, NCEP National Centers, and NOAA Testbeds across the country.  The Proving Ground is a project in which simulated GOES-R products can be tested and evaluated before the GOES-R series of satellites are launched into space.  The simulated GOES-R products are generated using combinations of currently available GOES data, along with higher resolution data provided by instruments on polar-orbiting satellites such as MODIS on NASA’s Aqua and Terra satellites as well as model synthetic satellite data. Proving Ground Mission Statement The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-R Series (GOES-R) project engages the National Weather Service (NWS) forecast and warning community in preoperational demonstrations of selected capabilities anticipated from the next generation of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) geostationary earth observing systems.

Why …….is there a Proving Ground ? The Proving Ground was established to realize the benefits of the GOES-R system as soon as the satellites are launched and operational. GOES-R will mark the first major technological advances in geostationary observations since 1994. The advances include improvements upon existing data such as increased spatial, temporal, and spectral resolutions for Earth monitoring and improved space weather observations and initiation of new operational observations such as lightning mapping. Many of the GOES-R products will be aimed at monitoring severe weather and helping forecasters issue earlier, more accurate severe weather warnings.  In order to create the most useful severe weather tools possible, the GOES-R Proving Ground is working closely with the Experimental Forecast Program and the Experimental Warning Program of the NOAA Hazardous Weather Testbed, developing and utilizing experimental GOES-R products to determine their utility in monitoring and forecasting severe convective weather. The goals of the proving ground are: training forecasters to use new products, identifying different utilities of each product, identifying weaknesses or errors with each product, and user-feedback development.    

Steps to identify Which activities are necessary? Who are the users the activities are aimed at? What deliverables/products/services will be available? When do activities have to start and be finished? Who is funding the activities? Anything else?