Proposal for the continuation of the cooperative institute for meteorological satellite studies at the university of wisconsinmadison principal investigator: DR

Tristan lecuyer total proposed cost: $150,000,000 for the period: 1 july 2025 to 30 june 2030 abstract based on the outstanding rating we received from the 5-year independent cooperative institute (CI) review conducted in may 2024, the university of wisconsinmadison (UW) proposes to build on 45 years of excellence in environmental satellite remote sensing and applications to continue hosting a NOAA CI for satellite studies. This CI will conduct research in four theme areas: (1) satellite research and applications, to support weather analysis and forecasting by developing, evaluating, and analyzing new and innovative satellite products and guiding their transition into operations, (2) satellite sensors and techniques, to characterize sensor performance, provide long-term calibration, specify instrument characteristics for future satellite imagers and sounders, derive data products that support situational awareness and meteorological applications using cloud computing and machine learning approaches, (3) environmental models and satellite data assimilation, to increase the utilization of satellite data in nowcasting, operational weather analysis and prediction, and atmospheric chemistry models through advanced assimilation techniques, and (4) outreach and education, to engage the workforce of the future in understanding and using environmental satellite observations for the benefit of an informed society. This proposal outlines a set of complementary activities that build upon the established practices and procedures of the current cooperative institute for meteorological satellite studies (cimss) to conduct research spanning the life cycle of satellite meteorology from concept and design to applications and public engagement. Our overarching philosophy is to provide a single center that integrates end-to-end support of meteorological satellite applications that includes innovative research in the areas of instrument design and demonstration, sensor calibration, data product development, validation, archival, and dissemination, data assimilation, training, and outreach as well as supporting new initiatives in artificial intelligence and machine learning, impact assessment and social sciences, community modeling, including the earth prediction innovation center (epic), and defining next-generation environmental satellites. Housed within the space science and engineering center (ssec) and collocated with NOAA/nesdis and NOAA/OAR employees and the UW department of atmospheric and oceanic sciences (AOS), cimss has access to state-of-the-art computing facilities, data infrastructure, computational and engineering expertise, instrumentation, project management support, outstanding education, outreach, and communications programs, and graduate students at a world-class, degree granting education program in atmospheric and oceanic sciences. With these assets and its strong partnerships with other domestic and international institutions and agencies, cimss is an established center of excellence in satellite remote sensing that will continue to meet the nations weather needs of today and tomorrow.