Aging weather satellite fleet at risk

[zengrifter]

Posted on Sun, Jan. 28, 2007
WEATHER
Aging weather satellite fleet at risk
According to a new study, crucial weather and environmental satellites soon will fail, and their replacements are insufficient and behind schedule.

BY MARTIN MERZER
mmerzer@MiamiHerald.com

Scientists soon will lose access to crucial information that helps them better understand and predict everything from hurricanes and earthquakes to global warming and environmental decay, according to a candid and sobering report by prestigious experts.

As wide gaps develop in the ability of scientists to analyze natural phenomena, Floridians -- particularly vulnerable to hurricanes, rising sea levels and environmental changes affecting fisheries and farmers -- could be especially affected.

''It's a train wreck,'' said Otis Brown, dean of the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science and a member of the National Academy of Science's panel that issued the report earlier this month.

''When you hope for the best, this is about the worst you could imagine in terms of things going awry,'' he said.

...more - http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/16563706.htm