The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) would receive more than $1.3 billion for weather satellites and climate sensors, under a budget plan that President Obama handed Congress.

That budget outline provides a rough sketch of total amounts for federal programs in the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2010. Details listing just which satellite programs will receive how much money are expected when Obama releases the huge federal budget books next month.

Overall funding for satellite programs comes after NOAA, NASA and the Department of Defense have wrestled for years with developing future climate and weather-sensing satellites, some of which are far behind schedule and suffering over-budget problems.

Those woes have caused some planned sensors to be removed from satellite platforms, to the expressed irritation of some members of Congress.

The Obama budget outline says it "improves prediction and monitoring of the planet’s weather and climate."

One problem resulting from kinks in the satellite programs is that scientists and lawmakers fear gaps will occur in decades of recording planetary vital signs.

The Obama plan "helps ensure continuity of [NOAA] satellite coverage needed for weather forecasting and climate data records by providing over $1.3 billion to fund … development and acquisition of vital weather satellites and climate sensors."

The new funds that Obama requested Congress to provide in fiscal 2010 would add to already-passed legislation, "which provides $600 million for the construction and maintenance of NOAA research facilities, vessels and satellites," and other programs, the budget plan notes.

As well, the Obama plan envisions promoting "opportunities for U.S. exporters in new markets and eliminates barriers to U.S. sales abroad."

Defense and space contractors for years have been seeking relaxation and streamlining of controls on exports of goods that can have dual uses, for both military and civilian purposes.