Earth Science and Applications from Space: National Imperatives for the Next Decade and BeyondNational Research Council, Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences, Space Studies Board, Committee on Earth Science and Applications from Space: A Community Assessment and Strategy for the Future National Academies Press, 2007 M10 1 - 454 pages Natural and human-induced changes in Earth's interior, land surface, biosphere, atmosphere, and oceans affect all aspects of life. Understanding these changes requires a range of observations acquired from land-, sea-, air-, and space-based platforms. To assist NASA, NOAA, and USGS in developing these tools, the NRC was asked to carry out a "decadal strategy" survey of Earth science and applications from space that would develop the key scientific questions on which to focus Earth and environmental observations in the period 2005-2015 and beyond, and present a prioritized list of space programs, missions, and supporting activities to address these questions. This report presents a vision for the Earth science program; an analysis of the existing Earth Observing System and recommendations to help restore its capabilities; an assessment of and recommendations for new observations and missions for the next decade; an examination of and recommendations for effective application of those observations; and an analysis of how best to sustain that observation and applications system. |
Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY | 1 |
SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY AND SOCIETAL APPLICATIONS | 19 |
THE NEXT DECADE OF EARTH OBSERVATIONS FROM SPACE | 27 |
FROM SATELLITE OBSERVATIONS TO EARTH INFORMATION | 61 |
REPORTS FROM THE DECADAL SURVEY PANELS | 141 |
HUMAN HEALTH AND SECURITY | 152 |
LANDUSE CHANGE ECOSYSTEM DYNAMICS AND BIODIVERSITY | 190 |
SOLIDEARTH HAZARDS NATURAL RESOURCES AND DYNAMICS | 217 |
CLIMATE VARIABILITY AND CHANGE | 257 |
WEATHER SCIENCE AND APPLICATIONS | 304 |
WATER RESOURCES AND THE GLOBAL HYDROLOGIC CYCLE | 338 |
A Statement of Task | 383 |
Request for Information from Community | 410 |
F Acronyms and Abbreviations | 423 |