NASA Earth Science Research Articles

Application of Satellite Sensor Data and Models for Energy Management

Effective, environmentally sound development, production, and delivery of energy depend on Earth monitoring information. Satellite remote sensing data and products provide unique, objective information that has the additional advantage of yielding global, homogeneous, and repetitive coverage. Satellite remote sensing data and products have been used extensively in parts of the energy sector for applications ranging from climatology to identification of solar and wind energy sources, yet there is significant potential to expand energy applications. This paper discusses the key energy sector organizations and decision-support tools with the greatest potential to benefit from new applications of satellite remote sensing data, identifies relevant remote sensing data and products with a focus on NASA Earth science resources, and provides examples that show the added value of the Earth observations. These examples come from the application of NASA data to solar energy information needs. Although continued work for support of solar energy is warranted, this paper focuses on areas identified with the greatest demonstrated potential for new or expanded applications: renewable energy (specifically wind, biomass, and hydroelectric resources), load forecasting, and long-term energy modeling. This study also addresses the evolving context of the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), and the broader framework of integrating satellite remote sensing into energy sector decision-support tools.

UAVSAR: New NASA Airborne SAR System for Research

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory is currently building a reconfigurable, polarimetric L-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR), specifically designed to acquire airborne repeat track SAR data for differential interferometric measurements. Differential interferometry can provide key deformation measurements, important for studies of earthquakes, volcanoes, and other dynamically changing phenomena. Using precision real-time GPS and a sensor controlled flight management system, the system will be able to fly pre-defined paths with great precision. The expected performance of the flight control system will constrain the flight path to be within a 10 m diameter tube about the desired flight track. The radar will be designed to be operable on a Unpiloted Arial Vehicle (UAV) but will initially be demonstrated on a NASA Gulfstream III. The radar will be fully polarimetric, with a range bandwidth of 80 MHz (2 m range resolution), and will support a 16 km range swath. The antenna will be electronically steered along track to assure that the antenna beam can be directed independently, regardless of the wind direction and speed. Other features supported by the antenna include elevation monopulse and pulse-to-pulse re-steering capabilities that will enable some novel modes of operation. The system will nominally operate at 45,000 feet (13,800 m). The program began as an Instrument Incubator Project (IIP) funded by NASA Earth Science and Technology Office (ESTO).

“Faster, better, and cheaper” at NASA: Lessons learned in managing and accepting risk

Can Earth observing missions be done “better, faster and cheaper”? In this paper I explore the management and technical issues that arose from the attempt to do things “faster, better and cheaper” at NASA. The FBC mantra lead to some failures and, more significantly, an increase in the cadence of missions. Mission cadence is a major enabler of innovation and the driver for the training and testing of the next generation of managers, engineers, and scientists. A high mission cadence is required to maintain and develop competence in mission design, management, and execution and, for an exploration-driven organization, to develop and train the next generation of leaders: the time between missions must be short enough that careers span the complete life of more than a few missions. This process reduces risk because the “lessons learned” are current and widely held. Increasing the cadence of missions has the added benefit of reducing the pressure to do everything on one particular mission thus reducing mission complexity. Since failures are inevitable in such a complex endeavor, a higher mission cadence has the advantage of providing some resiliency to the scientific program the missions support. Some failures are avoidable (often only in hindsight) but most are due to some combination of interacting factors. This interaction is often only appreciated as a potential failure mode after the fact. There is always the pressure to do more with less: the scope of the project may become too ambitious or the management and oversight of the project may be reduced to fit the money allocated, or the project time line may be lengthened due to external factors (launcher availability, budgetary constraints) without a concomitant increase in the total funding. This leads to increased risk. Risks are always deemed acceptable until they change from a “risk” to a “failure mode”. Identifying and managing those risks are particularly difficult when the activities are dispersed geographically and throughout a number of organizations. Reserves are held to allow for some of this. These days, typically, a substantial reserve is held (about 25%) but, all too often, that reserve will have liens placed against it long before the project gets to its preliminary design review. I find that the technical means are available to execute FBC Earth observing missions but all too often the sponsor, swayed by external factors, is unable to meet its commitments for funding and unable to control costs due to a lack of sufficient programmatic insight and an unwillingness to prevent changes in scope in the mission design. These lessons are, of course, broadly applicable. The NASA Earth Sciences Decadal Survey proposes a new, innovative line of missions dubbed “Venture”. How that mission line fares under the current budgetary climate and in an environment where all failures seem to be considered to be unacceptable remains to be seen. The lessons NASA learned during the FBC years must be incorporated into the Venture program if NASA is to be able to offer truly innovative, cost-effective, new missions.

Measuring performance: Moving NASA Earth science products into the mainstream user community

Abstract Demonstrating performance of the applications of Earth observation satellite-based science data products and services is increasingly a requirement of government research agencies. We present efforts from the NASA-funded Earth Observing System Data and Information System's Synergy Project to measure performance in the development of applications from NASA research and development projects. We summarize challenges in monitoring performance and share our experience in evolving metrics over a 5-year project life. We demonstrate how to adapt project management processes and metrics from the information technology (IT) industry to Earth observation applications research and development. A roadmap for adapting IT processes and developing metrics and examples of quantitative and qualitative metrics are provided. Our findings suggest that designing and implementing these IT metrics will enhance project success, as defined by the degree of penetration of NASA products into the user community and level of non-NASA funding secured.

Development Strategy on Earth Observing Technology of the Main Countries

From the programs and projects,the development status and strategies on Earth observing technology of the main countries in the world,such as America,ESA,Canada,Japan,India and Russia,are introduced and analyzed. Earth observing system(EOS)put forward in 1990s puts the Earth observing technology to the new phase,and compared with EOS,NASA Earth Science Enterprise(ESE) is in higher level by introducing Earth System Science.ESA is in the front of the technology in the world after launching ERS satellites and ENVISATS.France is characteristic of high-resolution satellites such as SPOT series,and Canada is characteristic of RADARSATS.Japan draws up its Basic Strategy for Effects Regarding Future Earth Observation in 2005 to be leadership in the field.Russia is strong space country but laps in development on Earth observing technology,so it will plan to develop quickly in the field.India,as a developing country,now has been paid attention by the world.

Advanced precipitation Radar antenna: array-fed offset membrane cylindrical reflector antenna

As part of the overall NASA earth science technology research effort, a half-size prototype model of light-weight, dual-frequency and wide-swath scanning antenna for the next generation of spaceborne precipitation radar has recently been developed. It operates radar channels at both 13.6 and 35 GHz for improved rainfall retrieval accuracy. The antenna for proposed spaceborne precipitation radar is an offset parabolic cylindrical reflector fed by two linear arrays. This design is adopted, instead of a double-curved offset reflector, because it provides the required wide scan angle in the cross-track plane at both the Ku and Ka band operating frequencies. To demonstrate the technological readiness of the concept, the focus is on a half-scale model of 2.65 m operating at Ku and Ka band. In this paper, the technology development status on this Advanced Precipitation Radar Antenna will be presented. Design and characterization of the 2.65 m antenna is detailed by presenting the features of various components of the antenna, including simulation of the performance, 2/spl times/166 Ku and 4/spl times/166 Ka element feed array designs and evaluation and the design concept of the membrane reflector. Measurement results of the entire antenna system using a compact range facility will also be summarized.

NASA Earth science budget and plans criticized

A new report by the U.S. National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences sharply criticizes NASA's budget and commitment to the Earth sciences, and states that “today the nation's Earth observation program is at risk.”The report, issued on 27 April, states that “recent changes in federal support for Earth observation programs are alarming. At NASA, the vitality of Earth science and application programs has been placed at substantial risk by a rapidly shrinking budget that no longer supports already‐approved missions and programs of high scientific and societal relevance.”

NASA's small satellite missions for Earth observation

The mission of NASA's Earth Science Enterprise (ESE) is to develop a scientific understanding of the Earth system and its response to natural and human-induced changes to enable improved prediction of climate, weather, and natural hazards for present and future generations. The ESE has an end-to-end strategy to assure that information, understanding, and capabilities derived from its research program achieve maximum usefulness to the scientific and decision-making communities. Small satellites ( < 500 kg) have been crucial contributors to satisfying the research strategy since the inception of NASA's Earth observation program in the 1960s. In the last decade, NASA's ESE has placed a renewed emphasis on small satellites. This reemphasis reflects advancements in compact sensor, small satellite bus, and launch vehicle technologies in addition to management innovations. Near term and advanced planning suggest that this trend will continue. A number of related small satellite missions have been recently launched, are in development, or are planned. Multi-satellite constellations under study include small satellites as key architectural elements. Studies indicate that low cost, capable microspacecraft along with compact sensors and increased autonomy are technology enablers to the sensorwebs and associated distributed spacecraft infrastructure required to realize the long-term NASA Earth Science Vision (ESV).

From observations to decision support: the new paradigm for satellite data

Global observations and scientific expertise are becoming increasingly crucial to sound decision-making affecting a variety of economic and social challenges. Conversely, decision maker's awareness of the benefits of space-based observations is crucial to the future of the remote sensing industry. This can only be accomplished through increased availability and accessibility to support tools capable of providing decision makers with the knowledge they require. Space-based systems, and the data collected, must migrate from the purely scientific research realm into Earth observation architectures that support interoperable models. These architectures and interoperable models are the framework for the high fidelity, interoperable decision support tools of tomorrow. The NASA Earth Science Enterprise (ESE) is placing new emphasis on exploitation of science expertise and global observations to bring these decision support systems into reality and widespread acceptance. The US Administration is taking bold steps to implement the President's vision for remote sensing and applications. Concurrently, the ESE is implementing an architecture, and aligning systems, research and resources to this end, defining six scientific themes to frame mission concept selection and system development. In parallel, applications and technologies are being initiated and expanded to advance NASA-sponsored observations and predictions into practical-use models and decision support tools.

Communication support for future earth science space missions

The NASA Earth Science Enterprise’s (ESE’s) vision for the future involves a scenario where all Earth observing spacecraft form a distributed network to provide real-time multi-sensor information transfer to users on the ground. This scenario will require sensors and instruments on spacecraft to become addressable nodes in a communication network. These include missions consisting of single spacecraft to multiple spacecraft flying in formation, in clusters, or in constellations. The present labor-intensive, mission-specific techniques for processing and routing data do not scale well and will become prohibitively expensive. To enable this vision, there is a critical need for advanced communications and dynamic network connectivity to provide broad coverage and intelligent-based real-time data delivery to scientists. These new missions will introduce a number of complex routing, network control, scheduling, data management and communication problems that need to be studied in detail. We introduce the current state-of-the-art in space communications for ESE, discuss potential benefits of a Uniform Space Network infrastructure and list some specific challenges in areas such as routing, transport layer and multiple access in this environment. We address issues related to extending this network in space and typical communication requirements and topologies for Earth Science missions and present a dynamic routing algorithm, MDRSH, for dynamically directing traffic from mission spacecraft to ground facilities. We present a simulation framework for studying future space missions and for testing newly developed protocols in such missions. We also present a case study for optimizing data downloads for a typical future mission scenario.

Mission investigates tropical cirrus clouds

It has been 18 months since NASA conducted the highly successful Cirrus Regional Study of Tropical Anvils and Cirrus Layers‐Florida Area Cirrus Experiment Study (CRYSTAL‐FACE). The measurement campaign was designed to investigate the physical properties and formation processes of tropical cirrus clouds. CRYSTAL‐FACE was sponsored by NASA's Earth Science Enterprise as an integral component of its Earth observation research strategy and included substantial collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy and the Naval Research Laboratory. During July 2002, the mission's six aircraft (NASA ER‐2, NASA WB‐57, Scaled Composites Proteus, University of North Dakota Citation, NSF‐supported NRL P‐3,and NRL Twin Otter) operated from the Key West Naval Air Facility.

De La Beaujardiére receives 2003 Charles S. Falkenberg Award

“Jeff de La Beaujardière received his B.A. in physics in 1985 from the University of California, Berkeley and his Ph.D. in astrophysics in 1990 from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Captivated by the Web's potential for information distribution, in 1994 he joined the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, first as a contractor and then as a civil servant. He is currently with the Geospatial Interoperability Office in NASA's Earth Science Applications Division.“From 1994 to 1998, Jeff was Webmaster of NASA's Public Use of Remote Sensing Data Program, whose unofficial motto was ‘Data to the people.’ The Web site was a showcase for satellite images of hurricanes and other natural phenomena. He was also lead Web developer for the GLOBE Visualization project, which displays environmental data gathered and used by a worldwide network of students, teachers, and scientists.

SAC-C mission, an example of international cooperation

The SAC-C is an international Earth observing satellite mission developed as a partnership between CONAE and NASA, with additional support in instrumentation and satellite development from the Danish DSRI, the Italian ASI, the French CNES and the Brazilian INPE. The SAC-C satellite was successfully launched by a Delta II rocket on November 21, 2000, from Vandenberg AFB, California, USA. The purpose of this mission is to carry out observations which bear interest both for the USA and Argentina, thus contributing effectively to NASA's Earth Science Program and to CONAE's National Space Program. The inclusion of SAC-C in the “morning constellation”, jointly with NASA satellites Landsat 7, EO 1 and Terra, is another example of an important international cooperation which strengthens the output of any single mission.

Global weather prediction and high-end computing at NASA

The authors demonstrate the current capabilities of NASA's finite-volume General Circulation Model in high-resolution global weather prediction and discuss its development path in the foreseeable future. This model is a prototype of a future NASA Earth-modeling system intended to unify development activities across various disciplines within NASA's Earth Science Enterprise.

Acquisition of earth science remote sensing observations from commercial sources: lessons learned from the Space Imaging IKONOS example

Over the last decade, NASA and other federal agencies have been increasingly encouraged to explore commercial sources of land remote sensing data rather than pursuing government-funded sources of these measurements (prior to U.S. Commercial Executive, 2003. U.S. Commercial Remote Sensing Policy. White House, Washington, DC). The science and applications users have been skeptical of this move to commercial sources of observations both because of uncertainty over the capabilities of the private sector and the unsatisfactory outcomes of previous efforts to commercialize satellite-acquired land remote sensing observations. In an effort to more fully explore the potential of commercial remotely sensed land data sources, the NASA Earth Science Enterprise (ESE) implemented an experimental Scientific Data Purchase (SDP) that solicited bids from the private sector to meet ESE-user data needs. The SDP activity spanned nearly 5 years and supplied many US and international researchers with sources of land remote sensing observations that had not been previously available. The images from the Space Imaging IKONOS system provided a particularly good match to the current ESE missions such as Terra and Landsat 7 and therefore serve as focal point in this analysis. Throughout the SDP process, there have been many lessons learned concerning interactions between US industry, government agencies and the science user community. The specifics of the Space Imaging IKONOS experience under the NASA SDP are most valuable with respect to possible future uses of commercial vendors to supply NASA ESE user needs for space-acquired land observations. Areas where valuable lessons were learned included the technical, scientific, proprietary and management aspects of the interactions. As this activity has evolved, user confidence in the technical and scientific qualities of the IKONOS measurements has increased substantially. There are still areas where further progress could be achieved, with respect to proprietary and management aspects of scientific commercial data buys. To date, the NASA scientific and applications users who have examined the IKONOS imagery have found the data to be of high quality, providing substantial value to their specific pursuits. They have found that the novel attributes of IKONOS, particularly in the spatiotemporal domain have introduced new analysis challenges not previously experienced with EOS sensors such as Landsat and MODIS. The technical qualities of the observations have been substantially improved during the SDP activity as a result of independent validation and verification by the Joint Agency Commercial Imagery Evaluation (JACIE) of the IKONOS observations. The experience gained from the Space Imaging IKONOS SDP activity, suggests that US private sector is technically capable of meeting the needs of NASA ESE science and application users. The future success of such interactions between industry, government and users appears to be far more dependent on the organizational and legal aspects of such arrangements than technical capabilities of the data providers.

Delineation of subsurface Proterozoic Unkar and Chuar Group sedimentary basins in northern Arizona using gravity and magnetics: Implications for hydrocarbon source potential

Subsurface occurrences of Mesoproterozoic Unkar Group (∼1.25–1.1 Ga) and Neoproterozoic Chuar Group (∼0.9–0.7 Ga) rocks have been delineated in regions east and southeast of the Grand Canyon of northern Arizona. Gravity and aeromagnetic data, combined with gravity modeling, an analysis of seismic velocities, geologic cross sections, and geologic structures, have identified two major Proterozoic extensional regimes in the region: (1) a Mesoproterozoic northwest to southeast trend indicating northeast-southwest–directed extension throughout the study area and (2) a Neoproterozoic, mostly north-south–directed trend indicating predominant east to west extension, evident mostly in northern regions of the study area. A more ancient, northeast-southwest–aligned system of basement shear zones has also been identified. These shear zones correlate with many of the exposed major fault systems of the region such as the Bright Angel and Mesa Butte fault systems. Unkar Group graben and half-graben formation was constrained by the preexisting northeast-directed shear zones. Chuar Group basin formation was influenced by the reactivation of northwest to southeast Unkar Group basin structures, the more ancient northeast-trending shear zones, and by Neoproterozoic age north- to south-oriented extension. This superimposed network of deep-seated normal faults led to the development of a complex array of surface structures during the Laramide. By delineating Proterozoic basin structures in the region, this study helps to delineate the probable subsurface occurrences of hydrocarbon source rocks of the Walcott Member of the Neoproterozoic Chuar Group. John M. Seeley is a research geologist and assistant director for the Pan-American Center for Earth and Environmental Studies at the University of Texas at El Paso. He received his B.S. (1985) and M.S. (1990) degrees from Texas A&I University and his Ph.D. (1999) from the University of Texas at El Paso. His research interests include depositional systems, sequence stratigraphy, gravity and magnetics, and tectonics.G. Randy Keller holds the L. A. Nelson Professorship. He is also chief scientist of University of Texas at El Paso's NASA Earth Science Research Center. His research interests stress the geological applications of geophysics, and he is particularly interested in the integration of diverse data sets and the use of information technology. He is a longtime member of the AAPG, Society of Exploration Geophysicists, Geological Society of America, American Geophysical Union, and the European Association of Exploration Geophysicists.

Space Internet architectures and technologies for NASA enterprises

AbstractNASA's future space communication needs and requirements will be addressed through a space communications network that mirrors the terrestrial Internet in its capabilities and flexibility. NASA's needs and requirements for future data gathering and distribution by this Space Internet have been obtained from NASA's Earth Science Enterprise (ESE), the Human Exploration and Development in Space (HEDS), and the Space Science Enterprise (SSE).To address NASA's future needs, we propose and describe an integrated communications infrastructure based on Internet technologies, the architectures within the infrastructure, and the elements that make up the architectures.The architectures meet the requirements of the enterprises beyond 2010 with Internet compatible technologies and functionality. The elements of an architecture include the backbone, access, inter‐spacecraft, and proximity communication parts. From the architectures, technologies have been identified which have the most impact and are critical for the implementation of the architectures. Published in 2002 by John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Natural disasters online

Wildfires, severe storms, floods, volcanic eruptions, and major air pollution events are types of major natural hazards that NASA will track on a new Web site unveiled on 16 January.The site, part of the agency's Earth Observatory, will track these hazards in near‐real time with imagery acquired from NASA's Earth Science Enterprise and Earth Observing System satellite missions, along with related descriptive information.

Educational outreach activities for Landsat-7

The goal of the Landsat-7 educational program is to bring applications of Landsat data into K–16 classrooms. The educational strategy of the Landsat Science Team Office relies on collaborating with preexisting education programs in NASA's Earth Science Enterprise (ESE), as well as initiating new projects. Several current Landsat-based education products and programs are described that address science and geography education content for various grade levels. Current and future program developments using Landsat data are also identified for the K–16 classroom.

NASA Research Strategy for Earth System Science: Climate Component

This paper describes the principles adopted by the NASA Earth Science Enterprise in formulating a comprehensive 2002–2010 research strategy for earth system science, and outlines one component of this broad interdisciplinary program, focused on physical climate research. Before embarking upon topical discussions of each element of the program, the authors sketch NASA's overall strategy for climate research and organize the main research thrusts according to a logical progression from documenting climate variability and trends in relevant climate forcing factors, to the investigation of key climate responses and feedback mechanisms, consequences for weather and water resources, and climate prediction issues. The ultimate challenge for NASA's earth system science program, a major contribution to the U.S. Global Change Research Program, is to consolidate scientific findings in the different disciplines into an integrated representation of the coupled atmosphere, ocean, ice, land, and biosphere system. The hallmark of NASA programs is indeed the integration of observations, principally global observation from research and operational satellite and surface-based observation networks, into consistent global datasets to support its scientific research programs and the verification of earth system model predictions against observed phenomena.