Knizhnik - AMS2026 - Streamlining Sounder for Microwave-Based Applications (SMBA)_Updated.pdf

This document is a presentation on the Streamlining Sounder for Microwave-Based Applications (SMBA) Development and Production program, a NOAA/NEON project for acquiring next-generation microwave sounding capabilities via small satellites in low Earth orbit. The SMBA instrument is designated for polar-orbit sun-synchronous operation at 13:30 Local Time of Ascending Node with an altitude of 824 km, 98.7° inclination, and a five-year mission life per satellite. All architectural elements—including the instrument, spacecraft, launch vehicle, mission operations, and data acquisition and routing—are being acquired commercially rather than developed by government, representing an approach that leverages industry's established processes and standards while maintaining critical performance and safety requirements.

The government's prioritization framework emphasizes delivering heritage-equivalent performance (matching ATMS, TROPICS, and MWS capabilities) and ensuring microwave sounding data continuity, with secondary priorities of hyperspectral and RFI detection capabilities and compliance with science performance requirements specified in the Program Requirements Document. Where conflicts arise between cost-effectiveness through non-government processes and science performance or safety, achieving SMBA performance and safety is the highest priority. The oversight approach is minimal, deferring to industry processes, with the majority of deliverables classified as "Information" rather than "Approval" items, and reliance on formal reviews, Engineering Peer Reviews, contractor-led meetings, and testing to assure performance. The program will establish a trusting partnership with industry partners to enable efficient manufacturing and reduce formal deliverable requirements.