NOAA maintains and operates the US civilian metsat fleet. They do not typically get directly involved in the development of new satellites. Originally that was a NASA function under programs such as TOS (TIROS Operational Satellite) and ITOS (Improved TOS). Once the design was declared operational, the names would be changed to NOAA-xx. More recently the NOAA polar satellites have been modified versions of DMSP (Defense Meteorological Satellite Program) birds, so the DoD is funding the basic R&D. Interesting full circle, as TIROS originally=20 started out as an Army project. gary > -----Original Message----- > From: opendtv-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx=20 > [mailto:opendtv-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Cliff Benham > Sent: Wednesday, April 27, 2005 12:20 AM > To: opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx > Subject: [opendtv] Re: The Weather and do these people have NO shame? >=20 >=20 > But you don't say who owns and maintains them now... > John Willkie wrote: >=20 > >Uh. Cliff, that ship sailed about a decade ago, when the weather=20 > >satellites in orbit and ground spares were privatized. =20 > Something about=20 > >the government not being able to afford the next generation, so they=20 > >sold off the previous generation to celebrate. > > > >John Willkie -------------------------------------------------------- This email message and any files transmitted with it contain = confidential information intended only for the person(s) to whom this = email message is addressed. If you have received this email message in = error, please notify the sender immediately by telephone or email and = destroy the original message without making a copy. Thank you. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- You can UNSUBSCRIBE from the OpenDTV list in two ways: - Using the UNSUBSCRIBE command in your user configuration settings at FreeLists.org - By sending a message to: opendtv-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word unsubscribe in the subject line.