NASA Agency Report

1. NASA Agency Report Kathy Fontaine kathy.fontaine@nasa.gov WGISS-23 Hanoi, Vietnam May 25, 2007

2. Organization • Dr. S. Alan Stern – Associate Administrator for Science, Science Mission Directorate • Dr. Michael Freilich – Director, Earth Science Division (ESD) • Dr. Teresa Fryberger – Associate Director ESD, Applied Sciences Program

3. Programmatic Approach to Data Systems • Core: all the hardware, software, physical infrastructure, and intellectual capital NASA recognizes as necessary for meeting its requirements for Earth science data system management. Core data system elements reflect NASA’s responsibility for managing Earth science satellite mission data characterized by the continuity of research, ready access to and usability of data.

4. Programmatic Approach to Data Systems • Community:those tools or capabilities developed and deployed largely outside NASA’s core elements and are characterized by their ‘evolvability’ and leading-edge innovation.

5. Core: ES Data System Architecture Technology Infusion (IT Currency, Standards, Reuse, Interoperability)

6. Community: Strategy • To achieve the widest possible support for the diverse Earth Science communities, NASA data systems must adhere to the following: • Provide a stable and robust data system infrastructure, including networks, computing facilities, data processing, algorithm development, data storage and data dissemination mechanisms. • Be readily adaptable and flexible to needs and requirements that are science domain specific and will change through time.

7. Community: Strategy • Continue to improve the ease of data handling -- satellite observation/model data remains voluminous. • Build Once, Use Many Times. Incorporate new technologies as components that can be employed in multiple instances within NASA science data systems. • Leverage NASA existing data system capabilities while including pertinent community developments.

8. Opportunities • MEaSURES: Principle solicitation to add needed Earth science research and/or science data products. • ESTO AIST: Develop and mature improved information system technology - risk reduction. • Space Science AISR: Space Science data system testbeds and prototypes. • DECISION: Applied sciences solicitation for improving and creating ‘solutions networks’ and support DSS tools. • ACCESS: Leverage existing capabilities to improve NASA’s Earth science data systems.

9. ESDSWG Highlights • Standards Processes Group • Revised its process to remove separate iterative reviews of "implementation" followed by "operation" • Recommended greater use of WMS by NASA Earth Science Data Systems • Investigated and provided guidance on recent OPeNDAP security issue.

10. ESDSWG Highlights • Metrics Planning and Reporting • The mission to "review and recommend program-level performance metrics and collection tools that measure how well each data activity supports the NASA Science Mission Directorate’s Earth science, application and education programs " • Metrics are essential both for internal management of data activities and for reporting their progress and utility to external stakeholders • A simple, flexible, web-based,  process has been operationally used by 42 projects since early 2004 for reporting metrics on a regular basis. An additional 15 projects have started to report through this mechanism recently.

11. ESDSWG Highlights • Technology Infusion • Developed the Technology Infusion Readiness Assessment tool to help identify steps to promoting technology products • Completed a technology road map for advancing semantic web technologies in support of a planned demonstration of emerging capabilities • Created a new focus group on sensor web technologies to leverage collaboration activities tested by the TIWG for web services and semantic web

12. ESDSWG Highlights • Reuse • Preparing peer-recognition recommendation for NASA HQ • Began work on a set of Reuse Readiness Levels (RRLs) • Preparing guidelines on the software release process at GSFC

13. ESDSWG Highlights • Cost Estimation Toolkit • Approved for open source use • http://opensource.gsfc.nasa.gov/projects/CET/CET.php

14. Data Systems: Earth Observing System Data and Information System Evolution Approach • In 2005 HQ chartered an “Evolution of EOSDIS Elements” Study Team that developed a vision for 2015 timeframe and provided guidance to a Technical Team • Technical team led by GSFC focused on key vision tenets of cost control, future data access & processing, IT currency, and user community support • Explored alternative approaches with data centers and major contractor • Discussed plans with lead scientists • Synthesized a solution to maximize benefits and minimize risk • Formal implementation began in early 2006

15. Evolution Results • The EOSDIS Evolution is on track and meeting expectations • MODIS SIPS assumed all the responsibilities related to MODIS level 0, level 1 and atmospheric data from the GSFC DAAC as of Feb 2007 • GSFC DAAC is transitioning to an in-house developed software system and on-line storage using commodity based hardware, on track to complete by end of CY2007 • LaRC DAAC is consolidating holdings into one unique system, planned for May 2008 • Re-architected ECS SPDS with first release scheduled for delivery in May 2007 • ECHO prioritized development efforts to focus on achieving higher operations maturity • All Evolution activities to date have been accomplished with no impact to operations • Already experiencing dramatic projected resource savings

16. Example • GCMD and ECHO provide complementary capabilities to enable Earth science research • GCMD enables users to locate a broad spectrum of Earth science datasets and services relevant to global change and Earth science research. • GCMD holds over 21,000 metadata records. • ECHO enables users to search and access NASA’s granule-level Earth science data and related services through tailored interfaces. • ECHO has over 2,000 datasets and 56 million granules.

17. Example • GCMD and ECHO interoperate to provide a cohesive perspective of NASA’s Earth science data holdings