The Future of Land Imaging

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Process

Baseline Considerations for Land Imaging

Continuity of the U.S. Landsat Data Record must be maintained
Capabilities must meet or exceed current capabilities of Landsat (Landsat imagery cannot currently be replicated using any existing U.S. or international satellite system)
But Landsat will not constrain future Land Imaging capabilities
Examine alternatives to meet the minimal Landsat Data Continuity Standard plus additional U.S. needs for land imaging

Needs Analysis - What are the Societal Benefits?

The Future of Land Imaging Working Group will inventory and assess the societal benefits of land imaging and how they can best be met.

Societal Benefits are a core feature of U.S. and International Earth Observation Initiatives - IEOS and GEOSS

There are other Societal Benefits of land imaging not captured by IEOS and GEOSS that are important to U.S. interests

The Vitality and Competitiveness of the U.S. Aerospace Industry is also a Primary Consideration

Options for Meeting U.S. Land Imaging Needs

Government-Owned Satellite	The U.S. Government owns and operates a U.S. satellite and maintains an archive and distribution capability.
Public-Private Partnership	The U.S. Government shares responsibility with the private sector. Costs are shared in proportion to the value of the data.
International Partnership	The U.S. Government shares capabilities and data with foreign partners.
Commercial Program	The U.S. acquires all data from the private sector which retains rights to U.S. Land Imaging data.
A Combination of Options	A primary solution may be complemented or supplemented by a secondary solution.

Criteria for Selection of Land Imaging Option

Societal benefits must be supported through
- Synoptic global coverage
- Appropriate revisit time
- Appropriate spatial resolution
- Appropriate spectral characteristics and resolution
- Sufficient calibration of spectral and spatial components
Must support long term data quality requirements
Must support U.S. data archive and management policies
Must support societal benefits through existing and evolving applications
Must support national / homeland security needs and provide data security
Must provide flexibility for implementation, data acquisition, and sustain or improve capability

Governance Options

Single Agency	A single U.S. Federal Agency is responsible for all aspects of Land Imaging.
Multiple Agency	Two or more Federal Agencies share responsibility for all aspects of Land Imaging.
Integrated Program Office	An IPO reporting to multiple Federal Agencies is responsible for all aspects of Land Imaging.
U.S. National Commission	A U.S. National Commission manages the U.S. Land Imaging Program, assigning responsibility for Land Imaging.
No U.S. Government Manager	The U.S. acquires all Land Imaging data commercially or from international sources. No U.S. Federal Agency is assigned responsibility.

Criteria for Selection of Governance Option

Clear and consistent U.S. agency roles and responsibilities
Scientific, technical, and managerial leadership in the U.S. and global communities
Reduced management complexity
Accountability to users
Effective and efficient requirements management
Streamlined acquisition and low cost management of data
Financial / budgetary stability
Flexibility to acquire future data from the best available sources
Alignment with U.S. scientific, operational, security, and international policies and interests

Updated 4.26.06