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Banner bottom - Our Seas and Our Skies, 30 years of excellence at NOAA
   

     

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    Name:    Levin Lauritson

    Q: Where in NOAA do you work now?
    A:     NESDIS/OSDPD

    Q: When did you begin your work with NOAA?
    A:     October 1964

    Q: Looking back, what events stand out as the most memorable during your time with NOAA?
    A:      When I got here, the planned NIMBUS operation had just died with the short life of NIMBUS ??. We then went operational with the TIROS Series satellites. TIROS XI was the first cartwheel satellite (allowing world-wide coverage daily), and the genesis of our operations. Since TIROS VII and VIII were still around they were made operational as well. TIROS X soon added to the mix, and these four satellites served us well for a while. Don't remember how long.

    Other memorable events: TIROS N, beginning in the mid-70s. This was big for us, back then--a major program change. NOAA and NASA can be proud of the effort put into making this operational. In my own view, my role in bringing the TIROS N series into operations was the most important part of my career. The TIROS N (NOAA) series of satellites has been the "workhorse" for Earth observation users around the world since October 1978.

    Q: From your point of view, what have been the most significant changes NOAA has experienced during the past 30 years?
    A:     LANDSAT 4/5 Program put NESDIS in the big leagues. When NOAA took over LANDSAT our budget went up significantly. Big program, and suddenly we were noticed. With a small group of people, NOAA took over LANDSAT 4 operations from NASA. The NASA LANDSAT Project people and their GE contractors were dumbfounded to think NOAA could run the operations with so few people and a different contractor. NOAA selected a new contractor, CSC/Ford Aerospace, shortly after launch making a transition even more difficult. A GE protest added to the difficulty. We proved them all wrong

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This page updated on: Monday, 07-Jan-2002 21:41:56 GMT
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