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NASA Earth Science Decadal Survey Studies [Planning Stage]

Entry ID: NASA_Decadal_Survey_Place_Holder

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Summary

Abstract: [These missions are in the planning stage. Please monitor the project web sites for mission updates]

[Source: NASA's Science Mission Directorate, Earth Sciences, http://science.nasa.gov/earth-science/decadal-surveys/ ]

NASA relies on the science ... community to identify and prioritize leading-edge scientific questions and the observations required to answer them. One principal means by which NASA’s Science Mission Directorate engages the science community in this task is through the National Research Council (NRC). The NRC conducts studies that provide a science community consensus on key questions posed by NASA and other U.S. Government agencies. The broadest of these studies in NASA’s areas of research are decadal surveys. As the name implies, NASA and its partners ask the NRC once each decade to look out ten or more years into the future and prioritize research areas, observations, and notional missions to make those observations.

The NRC completed its first decadal survey for Earth science, Earth Science and Applications from Space: National Imperatives for the Next Decade and Beyond (NRC, 2007) in January 2007 at the request of NASA, NOAA, and USGS. [At this URL, click on “Sign In” to download a free pdf of the report.] At the highest level, the report recommends that: “The U.S. government, working in concert with the private sector, academe, the public, and its international partners, should renew its investment in Earth-observing systems and restore its leadership in Earth science and applications.”

Detailed recommendations in the decadal survey are provided in three categories:

* Setting the Foundation: Observations in the Current Decade
* New Observations for the Next Decade
* Turning Satellite Observations into Knowledge and Information

For the next decade, the decadal survey identified 15 new space missions for NASA (including 1 joint mission with NOAA) and 3 missions for NOAA (including the 1 joint mission). The 15 missions for NASA are presented in three time-phased blocks. Importantly, the 17 missions are presented as the result of a “prioritization methodology designed to achieve a robust, integrated program”(pg. 7) and the “missions listed…form a minimal, yet robust, observational component of an Earth information system that is capable of addressing a broad range of societal needs.”

Information regarding all missions is available at the following home page:
http://decadal.gsfc.nasa.gov/

Related URL

Link: VIEW PROJECT HOME PAGE

Description: NASA Science Mission Directorate Decadal Survey home page

Geographic Coverage

(Click for Interactive Map)

Spatial coordinates

N: 90.0

S: -90.0

E: 180.0

W: -180.0

Data Set Citation

Dataset Originator/Creator: NASA Science Mission Directorate, Earth Sciences

Dataset Title: NASA Earth Science Decadal Survey Studies

Online Resource: http://decadal.gsfc.nasa.gov/

Location Keywords

CONTINENT > NORTH AMERICA > CENTRAL AMERICA

CONTINENT > NORTH AMERICA

GEOGRAPHIC REGION > GLOBAL

CONTINENT > SOUTH AMERICA

Science Keywords

AGRICULTURE > AGRICULTURAL PLANT SCIENCE > CROP/PLANT YIELDS

AGRICULTURE > AGRICULTURAL PLANT SCIENCE > CROPPING SYSTEMS

ISO Topic Category

BIOTA

ELEVATION

GEOSCIENTIFIC INFORMATION

Platform

Aircraft

Instrument

LVIS > Laser Vegetation Imaging Sensor

LIDAR > Light Detection and Ranging

Project

LVIS > LASER VEGETATION IMAGING SENSOR

Quality All reasonable efforts have been made to remove data affected to any degree by questionable observational conditions, however questionable data likely are still present. Here are the currently-identified issues with the LVIS dataset:

Canopy height bias.

1. Low-lying ground fog was present in some areas (swamps, river valleys etc). This will cause canopy height parameters ...

Access Constraints While substantial efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of data and documentation, complete accuracy of data sets can not be guaranteed. All data are made available "as is". The LVIS team can not assume responsibility for damages resulting from mis-use or mis-interpretation of datasets or from errors or omissions that may exist in the data. Data users are welcome to collaborate with the ...

Use Constraints See data use at the project home page.

Data Set Progress

COMPLETE

Data Center

Planetary Geodynamics Laboratory, Solar Systems Exploration Division, Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA

Data Center URL: http://science.gsfc.nasa.gov/sed/index.cfm?fuseAction=home.main&&na...

Data Center Personnel
Name: JAMES B BLAIR Phone: 301-614-6741 Email: James.B.Blair at nasa.gov Contact Address: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Mailstop 694.0 City: Greenbelt Province or State: MD Postal Code: 20771 Country: USA

Distribution

Distribution Media: Online

Fees: No fees

Personnel

JAMES B BLAIR

Role: TECHNICAL CONTACT

Phone: 301-614-6741

Email: James.B.Blair at nasa.gov

Contact Address:

NASA

Goddard Space Flight Center

Mailstop 694.0

City: Greenbelt

Province or State: MD

Postal Code: 20771

Country: USA

TYLER B. STEVENS

Role: DIF AUTHOR

Phone: (301) 614-6898

Fax: 301-614-5268

Email: Tyler.B.Stevens at nasa.gov

Contact Address:

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

Global Change Master Directory

City: Greenbelt

Province or State: MD

Postal Code: 20771

Country: USA

Publications/References

J. B. Blair, D. L. Rabine, and M. A. Hofton, The Laser Vegetation Imaging Sensor (LVIS): A medium-altitude, digitization-only, airborne laser altimeter for mapping vegetation and topography, ISPRS Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, 54, 115-122, 1999.

Processing of NASA LVIS elevation and canopy (LGE, LCE and LGW) data products, version 1.01. J. B. Blair, M. A. Hofton, and D. L. Rabine. http://lvis.gsfc.nasa.gov, 2006.

Creation and Review Dates

DIF Creation Date: 2012-08-22

Last DIF Revision Date: 2012-08-22

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