MIAMI (AP) —The director of the National Hurricane Center, who has been outspoken in warning about an aging satellite used for hurricane forecasting, was chastised Friday by a superior for his comments.
Bill Proenza has been talking about the QuikScat satellite since taking office in January.
The satellite was launched in 1999 and designed to last two to three years but is now showing signs of its age. Certain hurricane forecasts could be up to 16 percent less accurate if it fails, Proenza has said.
That could lead to wider areas placed under hurricane watches and warnings.
A satellite with technology meant to replace QuikScat would not fly until 2016, seven years later than planned, The Associated Press reported this week.