NASA REPORT

Dr. Eric J. LindstromPhysical Oceanography Program ScientistEarth Science DivisionScience Mission Directorate

June 5, 2007

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NASA’s Mission and Vision

NASA will continue the objectives for space exploration established in the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958.

To pioneer the future in space exploration,Scientific discovery, and aeronautics research.

NASA has embraced President George W. Bush’s directive, A Renewed Spirit of Discovery: The President’s Vision for Space Exploration, as the Agency’s Vision.• Explore the solar system and beyond;• Return humans to the Moon in the next decade; • Ultimately send humans to Mars and beyond;• Enhance understanding of the planets; and• Ask new questions and answer questions as old

as humankind.

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NASA’s Strategic Goals: 2006 Through 2016

Strategic Goal 1: Fly the Shuttle as safely as possible until its retirement, not later than 2010.

Strategic Goal 2: Complete the International Space Station in a manner consistent with NASA’s International Partner commitments and the needs of human exploration.

Strategic Goal 3: Develop a balanced overall program of science, exploration, and aeronautics consistent with the redirection of the human spaceflight program to focus on exploration.

Strategic Goal 4: Bring a new Crew Exploration Vehicle into service as soon as possible after Shuttle retirement.

Strategic Goal 5: Encourage the pursuit of appropriate partnerships with the emerging commercial space sector.

Strategic Goal 6: Establish a lunar return program having the maximum possible utility for later missions to Mars and other destinations.

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National Space Policy

• The August 31, 2006 National Space Policy (NSP) states that NASA shall develop, acquire, and use civil space systems to advance fundamental scientific knowledge of our Earth system and shall conduct a program of research to advance scientific knowledge of the Earth through space-based observation.

• The NSP states that NOAA, in coordination with NASA, shall be responsible for operational civil environmental space-based remote sensing systems, that NASA, NOAA and the Department of Defense (DoD) continue to consolidate civil and military polar-orbiting operational environmental sensing systems, and that NOAA, with support from NASA, shall continue a program of civil geostationary operational environmental satellites.

• The NSP states that NASA and NOAA shall transition mature research and development capabilities to long-term operations, as appropriate.

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Earth Science Division Operating Spacecraft

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Sub-goal 3A

Over the next 10 years, NASA will deploy the next generation of advanced observing and research capabilities:• In 2008, Glory will help characterize aerosol properties and

provide measurement continuity of the Sun’s influence on Earth’s climate system;

• In 2008, the NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP) will extend the data record of essential measurements and demonstrate new weather satellite instruments;

• In 2008, the Ocean Surface Topography Mission (OSTM) will take the next step toward an operational capability for ocean altimetry from space.

• In 2008, the Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO) will take the first measurements of the global distribution of carbon dioxide;

• In 2010, Aquarius will take the first global measurements of sea surface salinity.• By 2012, the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission will extend the coverage of observations

currently demonstrated by the TRMM satellite.• NASA and USGS will conduct a mission to secure near-term availability of Landsat-type data and will design

a strategy for long-term data continuity.

Study Earth from space to advance scientific understanding and meet societal needs.

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Earth Science Division Overview

• Overarching goal: to advance Earth System science, including climate studies, through spaceborne data acquisition, research and analysis, and predictive modeling

• Six major activities:• Building and operating Earth observing satellite missions, many with

international and interagency partners• Making high-quality data products available to the broad science community• Conducting and sponsoring cutting-edge research in 6 thematic focus areas

– Field campaigns to complement satellite measurements– Modeling– Analyses of non-NASA mission data

• Applied Science • Developing technologies to improve Earth observation capabilities• Education and Public Outreach

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Atmospheric Composition

Carbon Cycle and Ecosystems

Climate Variability and Change

Weather

Water and Energy Cycle

Earth Surface and Interior

OZONE above18 kmSAGE & HALOE

60S 60N

Earth Science Division Focus Areas

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IMPA CTS OF NPOES S

NUNN -McC URDY CE RTIF ICAT ION

ON JO INT NASA-NOAA

CLIM ATE GOA LS

Janua ry 8, 2007

A Joint Document of The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

And The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Prepared by the Earth Science Division Science Mission Directorate

NASA Headquarters And

The Climate Observations and Analysis Program NOAA Climate Program Office

Photo Credit: R.J. Braithwaite, originally appearing in Science, Vol. 297, No. 5579; July 12, 2002 Snowmelt cascades down a moulin in Greenland. The moulin, a near-vertical shaft worn in the ice by surface water, carries water to the base of the ice sheet, where it has a lubricating effect speeding the disintegration of the ice sheet. From Hansen, Scientific American, March 2004

NPOESS Impact Assessment

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NRC Earth Science Decadal Survey

• First-ever comprehensive survey of all Earth sciences that could benefit from spaceborne observations

• The Decadal Survey provides scientific priorities indirectly through a time sequencing of recommended missions

• NASA is developing a mission roadmap for the next decade incorporating:• General scientific and societal impact guidance from the Decadal Survey• Potential mitigation for removal of climate sensors from NPOESS• NASA assessment of technical challenges and mission costs• International collaborations• Agency-wide and national budget priorities• Draft NASA roadmap to be completed in Fall, 2007

• FY08 Budget Request funds NASA precursor missions identified in Survey• Global Precipitation Measurement mission• Landsat Data Continuity Mission• NPOESS Preparatory Program

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Future NASA Program: Decadal Survey

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NOAA Missions (2.5) (Pink = <$900 M; Green = $300-$600 M; Blue = <$300 M)

Decadal Survey Mission Mission Description Orbit Instruments

Rough Cost Estimate

Timeframe 2010 - 2013—Missions listed by cost

CLARREO (NOAA portion)

Solar and Earth radiation characteristics for understanding climate forcing

LEO, SSO Broadband radiometer $65 M

GPSRO High accuracy, all-weather temperature, water vapor, and electron density profiles for weather, climate, and space weather

LEO GPS receiver $150 M

Timeframe 2013 – 2016

XOVWM Sea surface wind vectors for weather and ocean ecosystems

MEO, SSO Backscatter radar $350 M

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Decadal Survey Mission Mission Description Orbit Instruments $ Estimate

Timeframe 2010 – 2013, Missions listed by cost

CLARREO (NASA portion)

Solar and Earth radiation: spectrally resolved forcing and response of the climate system

LEO, Precessing

Absolute, spectrally-resolved interferometer

$200 M

SMAP Soil moisture and freeze/thaw for weather and water cycle processes

LEO, SSO L-band radarL-band radiometer

$300 M

ICESat-II Ice sheet height changes for climate change diagnosis

LEO, Non-SSO Laser altimeter $300 M

DESDynI Surface and ice sheet deformation for understanding natural hazards and climate; vegetation structure for ecosystem health

LEO, SSO L-band InSARLaser altimeter

$700 M

NASA Near-Term Missions (3.5/14.5 total) (Pink = <$900 M; Green = $300-$600 M; Blue = <$300 M)

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00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14

ERS-2/RA

GODAE

ENVISAT/RA-2

TOPEX/Poseidon

Jason-1 Jason-2

SARAL

Sentinel-3

CRYOSAT-2

End of lifeIn orbit Approved Planned/Pending approval

Data gap?

Data gapERS-1

CNES/EUMETSAT/NASA/NOAA signedLetter of Agreement for Jason-2

GFO

“KNOWN” FUTURE ALTIMETRY MISSIONS

“KNOWN” FUTURE ALTIMETRY MISSIONS

Jason-3?Data gap?

IPY

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QUESTIONS?

ERIC LINDSTROM

TOPICS?

RESEARCHROSES 2007

ORPP AMOC/NOPP PROGRAMSCIENCE TEAMS

MISSIONSJASON, OSTM, JASON3, SWOTQUIKSCAT, OVWM, XOVWM

AQUARIUS, SMAPDECADAL SURVEY

MISCELLANEOUSRESEARCH TO OPERATIONS

CLIVAROCEANS 2009

OUTREACH PROJECTS

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Physical Oceanography Program

Emphasis this year on supporting the Aquarius mission development, utilization and improvement of SST products, and beginning AMOC research.

Latest competition of Research and Analysis Program advertised by NASA in ROSES 2007.1. Notice of intent to propose due 4/30/072. Proposals due 6/28/07.3. Selection in late 2007.4. Full information at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/

Follow path to ROSES ‘07 and PO Program (Appendix A.6)

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Challenge for Research Enterprise

NASA Physical Oceanography R&A Funding by Fiscal Year

0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

14000

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Fiscal Year

Dollars ($K)

Actual FY Dollars Purchasing Power (FY96 dollars)

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

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Ocean Surface Topography Science Team

Present Team selected in 2004. Contracts run through March 2008.

Re-competition of team advertised by NASA in ROSES 2007.1. Notice of intent to propose due 8/31/072. Proposals due 10/31/07.3. Selection in early 2008.4. Full information at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/

Follow path to ROSES ‘07 and OSTST (Appendix A.7)