Earth Observing System Concerns Over NASA's Basic Research Funding Strategy.
Abstract
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) goal is to launch the first spacecraft of the Earth Observing System (EOS) in 1998. The report assesses NASA's plans for funding this program and for developing its Eos-related basic research community. This report (1) discusses NASA'S strategy for developing such a community with specific focus on the number of currently funded EOS science investigations and (2) summarizes researchers' views on whether changes to EOS over the last few years have adversely affected their ability to carry out their interdisciplinary Earth sciences investigations. The report also addresses issues related to the new Earth System Science Pathfinder program and its potential impact on the funding availability for future EOS investigations. EOS is the centerpiece of NASA'S Mission to Planet Earth, whose overall goal is to understand the total earth system (air, water, land, life, and their interactions) and the effects of natural and human-induced changes on the global environment. EOS has three major components: (1) a constellation of satellites designed to collect at least 15 years of key climate-related data; (2) a data and information system designed to operate the satellites and process, archive, and distribute the data; and (3) teams of scientists who develop algorithms for converting sensor data into useful information and conduct basic research using the information. The satellites, and data and information system, which will absorb most of the program's funding, provide the researchers with measurements that will enable them to address established research priorities.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA316555
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office