Earth Science and Applications from Space: National Imperatives for the Next Decade and Beyond (Space Exploration and Weather)

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. <hr/>Table of Contents

• Front Matter
• Executive Summary
• Part I: An Integrated Strategy for Earth Science and Applications from Space, 1 Earth Science: Scientific Discovery and Societal Applications
• 2 The Next Decade of Earth Observations from Space
• 3 From Satellite Observations to Earth Information
• Part II: Mission Summaries, 4 Summaries of Recommended Missions
• Part III: Reports from the Decadal Survey Panels, 5 Earth Science Applications and Societal Benefits
• 6 Human Health and Security
• 7 Land-Use Change, Ecosystem Dynamics, and Biodiversity
• 8 Solid-Earth Hazards, Natural Resources, and Dynamics
• 9 Climate Variability and Change
• 10 Weather Science and Applications
• 11 Water Resources and the Global Hydrologic Cycle
• Appendix A Statement of Task
• Appendix B Biographical Information for Committee Members and Staff
• Appendix C Blending Earth Observations and Models – The Successful Paradigm of Weather Forecasting
• Appendix D Request for Information from Community
• Appendix E List of Responses to Request for Information
• Appendix F Acronyms and Abbreviations