The <Platform_Identification> fields allow for the specification of keywords that are representative of the platform or source information. These keywords are important for the search and discovery of supplemental information in the GCMD. The field, <Platform_Identification>, consists of a 2-level hierarchical classification of platform (source) keywords. In addition, the field includes the short name and long name of the platform (source).

• <Platform_Category> is the top level classification of platforms offering:
  • Aircraft
  • Balloons/Rockets
  • Earth Observation Satellites
  • In Situ Land-based Platforms
  • In Situ Ocean-based Platforms
  • Interplanetary Spacecraft
  • Maps/Charts/Photographs
  • Models
  • Navigation Platforms
  • Solar/Space Observation Satellites
  • Space Stations/Manned Spacecraft
    
• <Platform_Series_or_Entity> is the second level classification under <Platform_Category>. There are several controlled <Platform_Series/Entity> keywords for each <Platform_Category>. These keywords usually (but not always) refer to a series of Earth or space observing satellites such as Landsat.
• <Short_Name> is the abbreviated name of the platform (source) used to acquire the data. The <Short_Name> keyword must be selected from the set of defined platform (source) keywords. See http://gcmd.nasa.gov/add/difguide/source_name.html for more details on the platform Short_Name. For example, <Short_Name>ICESAT</Short_Name>
• <Long_Name> is the full name of the platform (source) used to acquire the data. See http://gcmd.nasa.gov/User/difguide/source_name.html for more details on the platform <Long_Name>. For example, <Long_Name>Ice, Cloud and Elevation SATellite</Long_Name>

<Platform_Identification>
<Platform_Category>Platform Category Keyword</Platform_Category>
<Platform_Series_or_Entity>Platform_Series_or_Entity Keyword</Platform_Series_or_Entity>
<Short_Name> Short Name Keyword </Short_Name>
< Long_Name> Long Name Keyword < /Long_Name>
</Platform_Identification>

• With the exception of the <Short_Name>, <Platform_Identification> fields may contain 1 to 160 characters. Characters include the entire printable UTF-8 character set.
• The <Short_Name> contains 1-31 characters. Characters include the entire printable UTF-8 character set. See: http://gcmd.nasa.gov/add/difguide/sensor_name.html.

• The <Platform_Identification> field is required and may not be repeated.
• The following fields within <Platform_Identification> are required and may not be repeated:
  • <Platform_Category>
  • <Platform_Series_or_Entity>
  • <Short_Name>
• The following fields within<Platform_Identification> are optional and may not repeated:
  • <Long_Name>
• <Platform Category> and <Platform Series_or_Entity> must be selected from the set of defined keywords.

[Example taken from Landsat 7]
<Platform_Identification>
<Platform_Category>Earth Observation Satellites</Platform_Category>
<Platform_Series_or_Entity>Landsat</Platform_Series_or_Entity>
<Short_Name>LANDSAT 7 </Short_Name
</Platform_Identification>

[Example taken from IceSAT.]
<Platform_Identification>
<Platform_Category>Earth Observation Satellites</Platform_Category>
<Platform_Series_or_Entity>Earth Observing System</Platform_Series_or_Entity>
<Short_Name>ICESAT</Short_Name>
<Long_Name>Ice, Cloud and Land Elevation SATellite</Long_Name>
</Platform_Identification>