Abstract

The Earth Science Enterprise (ESE) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration deals with space missions and research aimed at observing and understanding the total Earth system and the effects of natural and human-induced changes on the global environment. The current centerpiece of ESE is the Earth Observing System (EOS), a series of large, multi-instrument orbital platforms that will measure 24 parameters needed to understand global climate change. The EOS program was intended to include three series of platforms collecting 15 years’ worth of data, but in response to feedback, NASA has restructured the program. Current plans call for deployment of a suite of smaller spacecraft from 2003 to 2010 to follow the first series of EOS platforms. The National Research Council reviewed the revised mission plans in 1999, and among that assessment’s major recommendations was a call for NASA to develop a “fully integrated science plan.” In response to a request from NASA, the National Research Council formed a committee to review NASA Earth Science Enterprise Research Strategy for 2000-2010. The committee found the plan to be a useful document and offered recommendations.