About

Argos Alliance Mission Statement

The mission of the Argos Alliance is to secure continued investment in Argos, a unique, satellite-based global data collection and tracking system which is vital to safeguarding Earth’s environment, human safety, and the sustainable ecosystems upon which our nation – and humankind – relies.

Alliance History, Answering a Challenge

In February 2016, the President’s budget for the next year reduced funding for the Argos launch to $500,000. This signaled massive cuts to the program.

The non-government user community—academics and industry—needed to ensure that Congress understood the importance of the Argos satellite system and why it should not be canceled. The Woods Hole Group, Inc. (formerly CLS America, Inc.) created the Argos Alliance to secure funding, and provide education and support for the launch of Argos satellites. After engaging a government relations firm to help voice the message to US policymakers, the Alliance secured over $65 million to support future satellite launches.

  • Capitol Hill Fly-Ins: The Argos Alliance held four Capitol Hill Fly-Ins during which Argos leaders from across the country advocated with Federal policymakers about Argos and explained the need for NOAA to sponsor the launch of new Argos space-based instruments.
  • Congressional Briefings: During the April 2016 Fly-In, the Alliance worked with The Woods Hole Group, Inc., the U.S. Coast Guard, NOAA’s Satellite Office, and CNES to host a Congressional breakfast briefing to highlight the broad applications of the Argos system. In September 2018, the Alliance collaborated with the House Oceans Caucus to host a brown-bag lunch for House Appropriations staff, featuring presentations from NOAA and other key Argos users and technology companies.
  • Continued Advocacy with US Federal Agencies: The Alliance continues to conduct regular meetings with NOAA’s Satellite Office and continues working with additional Administration offices, including Administration leadership, the Department of Commerce, the U.S. Coast Guard, and others.

Due to advocacy from the Alliance, Congress provided $24 million for CDARS in the FY18 Omnibus Appropriations Act. This important down-payment on the launch of the Argos-4 payload has enabled NOAA, in partnership with the U.S. Air Force, to issue a Fair Opportunity Selection Plan (FOSP), soliciting input from eight companies to fly the Argos A-DCS as a hosted payload on a commercial spacecraft using the USAF Hosted Payload Solutions (HoPS) contract.

Success So Far

After two years of advocacy by the Alliance, Congress provided $24 million for CDARS in the FY18 Omnibus Appropriations Act. This important down-payment on the launch of the Argos-4 payload has enabled NOAA, in partnership with the U.S. Air Force, to issue a Fair Opportunity Selection Plan (FOSP), soliciting input from eight companies to fly the Argos A-DCS as a hosted payload on a commercial spacecraft using the USAF Hosted Payload Solutions (HoPS) contract.

For FY 2020 and 2021, the NOAA budget request for the Argos-4 launch was met. The satellite launched from New Zealand on 5 October 2022.

Current Status and Next Steps

The Alliance continues to work with supporters in both the Senate and the House to build support for this, and future funding. The Alliance will continue to serve as a liaison between the user community, policy makers, and satellite technology providers.

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