As articulated in NASA’s science plan U31T 31TU (Science 2020-2024) , NASA Earth Science explores our rapidly changing world, where natural and human factors interact, following an interdisciplinary, Earth systems approach that examines the interplay among the atmospheric, ocean, land, and ice systems. Using the recommendations of the 2017 NASA Earth Science Decadal Survey, Thriving on Our Changing Planet a Decadal Strategy for Earth Observation from Space, as a compass, NASA Earth Science is developing the observing systems that will answer the most important science and application questions of the next decade. Sustained, simultaneous observations of many geophysical parameters are needed to understand the complexity of the global Earth system. The quantitative determination of global trends in the Earth’s atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere, biosphere, and land surface and interior depends significantly on the availability of multi-instrument/multiplatform data sets, which extend to time periods of decades. The ability to enhance Earth system component models and advance predictive capabilities relies on dynamically consistent global observational data sets.
The overall objective of Making Earth System Data Records for Use in Research Environments (MEaSUREs) program element is to select projects providing Earth science higher level data products and services driven by NASA’s Earth science goals. MEaSUREs may include infusion or deployment of applicable science tools that contribute to data product quality improvement, consistency, merging or fusion, or understanding. An Earth System Data Record (ESDR) is defined as a unified and coherent set of observations of a given parameter of the Earth system, which is optimized to meet specific requirements in addressing science questions. These data records are critical to understanding Earth System processes; are critical to assessing variability, long-term trends, and change in the Earth System; and provide input and validation means to modeling efforts. Emphasis is placed into linking together multiple satellites into a constellation, developing the means of utilizing a multitude of data sources to form coherent time series, and facilitating the use of extensive data in the development of comprehensive Earth system models.
This ROSES element provides an opportunity for the research community to participate in the development and generation of data products that complement and augment the NASA produced and distributed Earth science data products available to the research community and other stakeholders. Proposals responsive to this call MUST utilize at least one satellite data set, preferably a NASA sponsored data set.
Deadlines:
- NOIs Due: April 26, 2022
- Proposals Due: June 2, 2022
ESI requests the following types of research investigations this year. Pending sufficient availability of funds, it is NASA’s intent to update these foci and compete this element on an annual basis to best address scientific and programmatic priorities:
1. Innovative Solid-Earth Science: innovative hypothesis-driven scientific research addressing the seven scientific challenges from NASA’s Challenges and Opportunities for Research in ESI (CORE) Report (2016) (http://go.nasa.gov/2hmZLQO), or the ESI science objectives identified in the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Decadal Survey, Thriving on Our Changing Planet: A Decadal Strategy for Earth Observation from Space (2018) (https://www.nap.edu/catalog/24938);
2. Solid-Earth Observing System Studies: proposals for Observing System Simulation Experiments (OSSEs) that optimize system design or collection strategies for acquiring data to help achieve ESI community science objectives. Results should help inform the design of new capabilities or optimize existing capabilities, including assessments of science value and feasibility across a range of potential approaches, to address specific solid-Earth science questions. Proposers are encouraged to contact the program point of contact to assess whether their concept is responsive to this topic. Proposals that include instrument or technology development will be considered nonresponsive and returned without review.