The DOC/NOAA Forecast Systems Laboratory (FSL), NASA Science and Aeronautics Research Mission Directorates, and DOE Office of Science are sponsoring the second workshop on the Utilization of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for Global Climate Change Research on December 7-8, 2004 at the David Skaggs Research Center in Boulder, CO. The purpose of this workshop is to discuss the technologies needed for transformational Earth observation capabilities, enabled by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that will directly support the Nation's weather research efforts and climate change observations charge under the U.S. Climate Change Science Program. It also supports the goal of the first-ever U.S. draft plan to monitor the Earth, which was released last month, and which will, over time, benefit people and economies around the world by improving the ability to monitor, understand and predict changes to the Earth. The workshop will focus on missions concepts developed in the August 3-4, 2004 precursor workshop held at Scripps Institute of Oceanography in La Jolla, CA. The results of that workshop are available at http://www.fsl.noaa.gov/uav_workshop/index.html . NASA, NOAA and DOE are collaborating to address the challenges of suborbital observations and to bring to bear advancing technologies, such as UAVs, as an integrated piece of a national and global Earth observation network. In particular the collaboration brings to bear the knowledge, expertise, and resources of each agency in a synergistic manner that responds to the President's challenge for America's Earth Science Community to take a leadership role in developing the International Earth Observation System. This workshop will offer attendees the opportunity to participate in discussions that will influence the development of near-term observational mission concepts and their associated technology portfolios. There will also be opportunity for a poster/exhibit session.

For information on the workshop including registration, agenda, and directions information, please access http://www.fsl.noaa.gov/uav_workshop/index.html . Consider this workshop an opportunity to provide input on NASA, NOAA and DOE's future teamwork in suborbital observations supporting climate change and weather research, to foster collaborations and to develop possible partnerships. The points of contact (POCs) for inquiries are: Sara Summers for NOAA, (303) 497-4221, e-mail: sara.summers@noaa.gov ; Randy Albertson for NASA, (661) 276-7540, e-mail, randy_albertson@dfrc.nasa.gov ; Will Bolton for DOE, (925) 294-2203, e-mail, wrbolto@sandia.gov . Space for this workshop is limited. Please use the on-line form to indicate your interest in attending. The on-line attendance system has been extended and will close-out on November 12th.  Based on attendance request inputs, the workshop planning team will determine the workshop make-up.  It is intended that there will be significant representation from throughout the climate change and weather science and aerospace technology communities from government, academia and the private sector.  An administration fee is required. The attendance list will be finalized and all who have submitted will be contacted by November 15th.  Those selected will be provided further instructions.