Effect of the Earth Science Decadal Survey on NASA and NOAA—Three Years Later

In 2007 the National Research Council of the National Academies released their report “Earth Science and Applications from Space - National Imperatives for the Next Decade and Beyond” more well known as the Earth Science Decadal Survey. This visionary document is the foundation for a decadal program of earth science research and applications in support of society. It calls for advances in fundamental understanding of the earth system and increased application of this understanding to serve the nation and the people of the world. The declarations call for a renewal of the national commitment to a program of earth observations in which attention to securing practical benefits for humankind plays an equal role with the quest to acquire new knowledge about the earth system. Based on a set of criteria to create relative rankings of missions, the committee derived a total of 17 missions for implementation by NASA and NOAA. This list of missions provides the two agencies with a roadmap for achieving a robust, integrated program that would not crumble if one or several missions were removed or delayed. In fact, the eloquence of the list ensured the range of observations is protected rather than the individual missions.

Now, over two years after the publication of the Decadal Survey, is a good time to take a look at the impact of the document on NASA and NOAA and see what the agencies have done in regards to the proposed missions recommended in the report. This presentation will investigate if and how the Decadal Survey has affected the strategy and direction of the two agencies. A synopsis of the 17 missions will be provided, including what missions are flying, currently in the planning stages, and actually funded. Personnel and leaders throughout NOAA, NASA, academia, industry, customers and advocates will be interviewed for their opinions and comments on the accomplishments, progress and shortfalls of the agencies in regards to the Survey.