Data and information system for mission to planet earth

Abstract

Mission to Planet Earth (MTPE) is a comprehensive program established by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to study Earth as an integrated and coupled system consisting of the atmosphere, oceans, and continents interacting through exchange of energy, mass, and momentum on a wide range of spatial and temporal scales. MTPE is NASA's contribution to the U.S. Global Change Research Program, which is supported by all U.S. federal agencies that sponsor Earth science research. MTPE consists of four major elements: (1) space‐based and in situ observational capabilities; (2) a comprehensive data and information system for capturing, processing, archiving, and distributing observations and the resulting information; (3) support for scientific studies to develop algorithms for retrieving the information content of remotely sensed observations and interdisciplinary investigations focused on developing integrated and coupled Earth system models and using the understanding gained from these efforts to assess the impact of global climate changes; and (4) educating and training the next generation of Earth scientists and engineers in support of this mission. The ultimate goal is to establish a sound scientific basis for an intense study of planet Earth to help make sound environmental policy decisions during the twenty‐first century. This requires long‐term, calibrated, congruent, and simultaneous observations that are captured, processed, archived, and made readily available to Earth scientists and policy makers. The commitment to make data and information resulting from MTPE easily available to users is critical to the success of the project. NASA has started to meet this commitment through incremental and evolutionary development of the Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) with significant user involvement in all of its phases.