From: FCW
By Frank Konkel
Lawmakers are not enthusiastic about the possibility of future U.S. weather forecasts relying on data from Chinese polar-orbiting satellites.
At a joint hearing before the House Science, Space and Technology subcommittees on Environment and Oversight, members pressed officials from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NASA and the Government Accountability Office on why and how Chinese satellite data emerged as a viable option for NOAA.
NOAA, facing a potential lengthy gap in weather satellite coverage if its current aging crop of polar-orbiting satellites fails before the launch of its next-generation satellites in 2017, commissioned an outside study to determine ways to mitigate the loss of data vital to U.S. forecast models produced by the National Weather Service.
As FCW reported in early September, the study concluded the only “silver bullet” solution for NOAA would be to incorporate data from Chinese satellites FY-3C and FY-3D, which have sensors comparable to NOAA’s next-generation Joint Polar Satellite System satellites.
“I have grave concerns about incorporating data into U.S. systems from a country well-known for persistent and malicious cyberattacks on our nation,” said Rep. Paul Broun, chairman of the Oversight Subcommittee.
Environment Subcommittee Chairman Chris Stewart (R-Utah) expressed similar concerns, as well as frustration with NOAA for its failure to have “multiple backup” options in place.
Stewart emphasized the potential for NOAA to purchase more commercial services to help mitigate the gap, and pushed NOAA official Mary Kicza to closely examine commercial options.
“Most of us are much more comfortable relying on commercial [services] over a foreign government,” Stewart said.
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