MEaSUREs Projects at the GES DISC

NASA, through its Earth Science Data Systems, supports the NASA Earth Science research community by providing Earth science data products and services driven by NASAÂ’s Earth Science goals. NASAÂ’s Earth Science Program is dedicated to advancing Earth remote sensing and pioneering the scientific use of satellite measurements to improve human understanding of our home planet, in order to inform economic and policy decisions and improve operational services of benefit to the Nation. Through the MEaSUREs Program, NASA is continuing its commitment to expand understanding of the Earth system using consistent records. NASA has begun to deploy new types of sensors to provide three-dimensional perspectives of EarthÂ’s atmosphere and surface. Emphasis is on linking together multiple satellites into a constellation, developing the means for using a multitude of data sources to form coherent time-series, and facilitating the use of extensive data in the development of comprehensive Earth system models.

As part of the ROSES-2006 announcement, MEaSUREs proposals were solicited to focus on the creation of Earth System Data Records (ESDRs), including Climate Data Records. An ESDR is defined as a unified and coherent set of observations of a given parameter of the Earth system, which is optimized to meet specific requirements for addressing science questions. These records are critical for understanding Earth System processes; for the assessment of variability, long-term trends, and change in the Earth System; and for providing input and validation means to modeling efforts. The solicitation resulted in the selection in October 2007 of 30 projects for funding.