Key hurricane satellite could fail at any time

[Jinkers]

I heard about this awhile ago on our local news, nbc6 interviewed Bill Proenza, and he mentioned it. He also said NOAA has all this money for advertising it's accomplishments, and the satellite could fail at anytime, and couldn't get funding for it, our government sure makes sense doesn't it...

[Frank2]

Talk about misplaced priorities - we don't have money for that, but, enough money was spent (private and taxpayer) to rebuild the New Orleans Superdome...

I fear our country will be remembered for our lack of good judgement...

[artist]

Well, I hope the satellite doesn't fail before our nation's bicentennial. Apparently the official congressional calendar already has.

I didn't notice that! Makes you wonder. It is on the current news from his gov webpage. Seems someone must have goofed with the date.

[artist]

Just sent his office an e-mail. Thought they might want to change it - knowing our gov. they would probably toss it if it's not right!

[wxman57]

Well, I hope the satellite doesn't fail before our nation's bicentennial. Apparently the official congressional calendar already has.

Wasn't our bicentennial on July 4, 1976?

This story came out and was discussed here about a month ago. Old news. As for QuikSCAT, it's a useful tool but hardly something we can't do without. Once any storm gets past 50W it's in recon reach. And recon could even be extended a bit farther out if needed. Loss of QuikSCAT won't cause forecasts to be less accurate, we just might have to guess a little bit as to whether a circulation exists on a weaker system near the coast of Africa. No big deal, really.

And there is a European version of QuikSCAT that could be used if necessary.

[mikey]

As I suspected more govt alarmism. Thanks for dispelling another burecratic " the sky is falling" myth that tends to get put out around budget time.

[AJC3]

Wasn't our bicentennial on July 4, 1976?

Press Release
Klein, Melancon Urge Science Committee to Hold Hearings Regarding Imminent Loss of Hurricane Tracking Satellite
Dissatisfied with NOAA’s Apparent Lack of Mitigation Plan in the Event QuikSCAT Fails, and to Highlight Need to Launch New Satellite, Klein Urges Hearing

June 12, 1976

Either I need to work on my tongue-in-cheek humor, or...

[wxman57]

Wasn't our bicentennial on July 4, 1976?

Press Release
Klein, Melancon Urge Science Committee to Hold Hearings Regarding Imminent Loss of Hurricane Tracking Satellite
Dissatisfied with NOAA’s Apparent Lack of Mitigation Plan in the Event QuikSCAT Fails, and to Highlight Need to Launch New Satellite, Klein Urges Hearing

June 12, 1976

Either I need to work on my tongue-in-cheek humor, or...

The press release was about the hearing on the failing satellite. The failing satellite article came out in March. Here's where we discussed it 3 months ago:

http://www.storm2k.org/phpbb2/viewtopic ... t=quikscat

[AJC3]

Wasn't our bicentennial on July 4, 1976?

Press Release
Klein, Melancon Urge Science Committee to Hold Hearings Regarding Imminent Loss of Hurricane Tracking Satellite
Dissatisfied with NOAA’s Apparent Lack of Mitigation Plan in the Event QuikSCAT Fails, and to Highlight Need to Launch New Satellite, Klein Urges Hearing

June 12, 1976

Either I need to work on my tongue-in-cheek humor, or...

The press release was about the hearing on the failing satellite. The failing satellite article came out in March. Here's where we discussed it 3 months ago:

http://www.storm2k.org/phpbb2/viewtopic ... t=quikscat

Chris, I am well aware of the whole Quik-Scat issue, what came out, when it came out, etc. etc. My original post was nothing more that a tongue-in-cheek quip about the mistaken date on the press release, kapisch?

[beachbum_al]

Maybe I am wrong but I would think replacing this satellite should be top priority because it would save lives in the event of a major hurricane.

[sevenleft]

Maybe I am wrong but I would think replacing this satellite should be top priority because it would save lives in the event of a major hurricane.

How would QuikSCAT possibly save lives?

[caneman]

Wonder how long he will last after reading this. some are already trying to quiet him.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/S/ ... CTION=HOME

[johngaltfla]

I heard about this recently and my understanding is they have now been given the money to replace this satellite. Hopefully it will get done befoer this one does fail.

The article is two hours old on the AP wire. The replacement is scheduled for 2016. The money is not there. That's why the NHC is bitching.

Lotsa money to promote the "200th Anniversary" of NOAA, though! Even though NOAA was founded in 1970.

Windy - this was reported here recently -
http://www.storm2k.org/phpbb2/viewtopic ... t=quikscat
and Congressman Klein to make it 'top priority' to replace QuikSCAT satellite


see here from April 9-
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/weathe ... -hurricane

Exactly -- the money isn't there. Some random congressman from Florida says they're going to try to drum up the money via a bill or an earmark or something, but it hasn't happened yet, let alone been passed into law and apropriated. Even if it passes, it'll be four years, minimum, before launch.

Let's see. The money isn't there but they have allocated over $2 million to David Obey's "busy" corporate airport in the middle of nowhere Wisconsin that averages a bustling 34 flights per day on it's busiest day usually less than 20.

They've allocated over $30 million for various causes in Diane Fiendstein's district in San Francisco, non of which are for scientific or FEMA applicable purposes.

The money is available, the greedy idiots just don't want to allocate it. These morons are so self-serving it's pathetic. Their inability and willingness to protect the American public should have been obvious after 9-11 and Katrina and Rita. Now it's just a criminal act, IMHO.

When we lose this bird, just watch and see. It will be blamed on the designers, not the Congressmorons where the blame should lie.