The overall goal of NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS) is to advance the understanding of the entire Earth system on a global scale by improving our knowledge of the components of the system, the interactions between them, and how the Earth system is changing. The EOS program mission goals are to:

• Create an integrated, scientific observing system emphasizing climate change that will enable multi-disciplinary study of the Earth's critical, life-enabling, interrelated processes.

• Develop a comprehensive data and information system, including a data retrieval and processing system.

• Serve the needs of scientists performing an integrated multi-disciplinary study of planet Earth and to make Earth science data and information publicly available.

• Acquire and assemble a global database for remote sensing measurements from space over a decade or more to enable definitive and conclusive studies of Earth system attributes.

The three main EOS spacecraft that will support a broad range of scientific investigations and instruments are Terra, Aqua, and Aura. Beginning in 1999, 2000, and 2002 respectively, the satellites will be flown for a period of six years. Additional observations will be provided by Landsat 7, launched in April 1999.

Nearly all key EOS missions include international contributions. For example, Terra will fly an instrument from Canada (Measurements of Pollution In The Troposphere, MOPITT) and one from Japan (Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer, ASTER). The Aqua mission will include the Japanese Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer (AMSR) instrument and the Humidity Sounder for Brazil (HSB). In addition, numerous agreements have been signed for joint data exchange and distribution, including cooperation in EOSDIS.

EOS sponsors many interdisciplinary research (IDS) projects using specific Earth science data sets for a broader investigation into the function of Earth systems. Current EOS research spans a wide range of sciences, including atmospheric chemistry, hydrology, land use, and marine ecosystems.

The EOS Investigators Working Group (IWG), formed in 1989, consists of instrument and interdisciplinary principal investigators and team leaders to provide scientific advice and guidance for the program. The working bodies of the IWG include twelve science panels. Membership on the panels is generally open to all EOS investigators, including co-investigators on any EOS investigation. Scientists outside the group of EOS investigators are also included in the various panels. The IWG plays a leading role in defining the overall science thrust for the EOS program. It coordinates the research efforts and provides guidance and advice to the EOS program and project, as appropriate, concerning all major scientific issues.

The EOS Project Science Office at Goddard Space Flight Center consists of the Senior Project Scientist as well as Project Scientists associated with the various EOS payloads and the EOSDIS. This office serves as the primary day-to-day interface between the Earth science community and the EOS projects at Goddard, Langley Research Center, and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Source: NASA's EOS Global Change Media Directory 1999, Earth Observing System Project Science Office, Goddard Space Flight Center, June 1999

NASA's Earth Science Enterprise