Future trends and expected technological evolution - NASA's future Earth observation plans
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Future trends and expected technological evolution - NASA's future Earth observation plans
Improving life here on planet Earth is foremost in NASA
’s vision, and the larger purpose of NASA’s Earth
science activities within its Science Mission Directorate (SMD). SMD was created from a restructuring of
the former Earth and Space Science Strategic Enterprises to better implement the Vision for Space
Exploration. Using the vantage point of space, the SMD gains an understanding of our home planet that
could not be achieved otherwise. From the vantage point of space, the Earth appears both complex and
fragile; a dynamic, changing island that is the only known harbor for life in the solar system. This unique
view of Earth is crucial in our endeavor to understand and protect the home planet. Increasing our
knowledge of the Earth system is a goal of the SMD's research program, which is complemented by
applications, technology, and education programs. Figure 1 shows the integrated process of conducting
research that results in useful in-formation products and demonstration of practical applications.
The SMD has defined its Earth science research strategy around a hierarchy of scientific questions:
- How is the global system changing?
- What are the primary forcings of the Earth system?
- How does the Earth system respond to natural and human induced changes?
- What are the consequences of change in the Earth system for human civilization?
- How well can we predict future changes in the Earth system?
These questions require a focusing on the interactions among the major components of the dynamic Earth system: continents, oceans, atmosphere, ice, and life. There are six major science focus areas:
- Climate variability and change
- Atmospheric composition
- Carbon Cycle Ecosystems
- Water and Energy Cycle
The research strategy is supported by information obtained from a variety of space vantage points and complemented by airborne and in situ observational data. The SMD's spaceborne missions fall into four classifications: Systematic, Exploratory, Technology Demonstration/Operational Precursor, and Operational. New measurements from space are considered exploratory. Many exploratory measurements prove sufficiently valuable to science that they become systematic, i.e., data continuity spanning multiple mission lifetimes is required. Where practical, mature systematic measurements that also become an element of the operational community are transitioned to operational satellites developed and implemented by NASA and operated by other agencies. New technology may need to be demonstrated or validated in space to reduce risks before use on other missions. [1]
References
[1] S.P.Neeck, G.E.Paules, J.D.McCuistion Ramesh
"NASA's future Earth observation plans".
