Extending NASA earth-sun system research results to serve GEOSS societal benefits

Abstract

From the 1980s through 2004, NASA developed and deployed the Earth Observing System to conduct global research using measurements from the Terra, Aqua, and Aura spacecraft. The research results from these and other NASA space-based observatories are pathfinders for next-generation operational systems and are information sources for evolving computer models used to improve predictions of weather, climate, and natural hazards. Improved understanding of climate change and the prediction and preparedness associated with disasters are two additional societal benefit areas of the GEO. One of NASA’s goals is to extend benefits of space research to improve scientific understanding of the Earth system and to demonstrate new technologies with the potential to improve future operational systems. NASA focuses on applications of national priority to transition these benefits systematically, enabling and improving integrated system solutions that inform decisions to serve society. Management of energy, coastal and biological ecosystems, agriculture, water, and human health are applications served by integrating NASA research results into solutions that are consistent with GEO societal benefit areas. NASA and the GEO share a common framework architecture to systematically apply Earth observations and predictions to enable decision support for specific applications areas. Over the next 10 years, NASA plans to continue collaborations with its U.S. and international partners to develop and deploy innovative research spacecraft and instruments. These systems can demonstrate the capacity for space systems to address targets identified in The Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) 10-Year Implementation Plan. I. OBJECTIVES AND CONTEXT National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) goals include extending the benefits of space research to improve scientific understanding of the Earth system and demonstrating new technologies with the potential to improve future operational systems. NASA’s objectives include focusing on applications of national priority to systematically transition the benefits of scientific research results and innovative technologies, enabling and improving integrated system solutions that inform decisions to serve society. NASA’s pursuit of improved understanding and prediction of weather, climate, and natural hazards is consistent with the societal benefit areas identified by the international Group on Earth Observations (GEO), along with applying Earth observation system capacity to the management of energy, coastal and biological ecosystems, agriculture, water, and human health. The societal benefit areas (Fig. 1) are described in the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) 10-Year Implementation Plan [1] and in the NASA Earth Science Applications Plan [2].