ATD Director's Message
Preparation for the NSF review of ATD, which occurred at the end of FY2001, gave all of us in the division the opportunity to reflect on the past half-decade since the last review, and to take stock of our accomplishments, plans, and resources.We find a division of fundamental health and are gratified that the NSF-appointed review panel concurs. ATD's plans and services are based on several of NCAR's founding principles, including: providing facilities to university and other members of the atmospheric research community; collaborating with colleagues around the world in research, development and planning for future technologic and research needs, field programs, and new facilities; strong ties between research and technology developments, within the division itself, with other NCAR divisions, and with scientists at universities, laboratories, and institutes who share our research interests; and, finally, taking advantage of every possible opportunity to enhance student participation in the geosciences through their involvement in field programs, internships, postdoctoral appointments, and assistantships.
Highlights of the past fiscal year include continued progress on planning for and acquiring the HIAPER platform; successful field deployments of the GPS dropsonde and immediate scientific results of practical benefit in hurricane forecasting; data display improvements through use of a java-based 3-D data viewer; and progress in water-cycle studies that will culminate in a major field program in the spring of 2002, IHOP.
As always, at the heart of the progress and accomplishments is the ATD staff, a group of dedicated, innovative, and experienced people. The requirements of the research community are stringent and demanding; ATD staff consistently respond creatively to meet these requirements and succeed, as testimony from principal investigators shows. At all times we balance current activities with a vision of the future, and work to the highest level of excellence possible in both.