Review of NASA's Earth Science Enterprise Applications Program Plan (2002)

Reply to Attn of: Y

NASA’s Earth Science Enterprise has developed an “Applications Strategy: Next Decade” as a complementary document to its Research Strategy. Like the Research Strategy developed in 2000, the Applications Strategy defines the direction for this program over the next decade and identifies prioritization criteria to be applied to the candidate national applications to be undertaken.

We request that the Space Studies Board take the lead in establishing a study committee that draws on the range of the NRC’s expertise in Earth science, remote sensing, and the practical applications of geospatial data to review the Applications Strategy. The emphasis in this strategy is on extending the use of Earth science observations and prediction capabilities by partnering with national organizations, such as sister federal, state and local agencies, to realize socioeconomic benefits by serving the public through decision support systems. We seek the NRC’s assessment of the processes and prioritization criteria outlined in the Applications Strategy to enable the extension of NASA sponsored research and technology to national applications.

It would be most helpful to have the NRC’s review of the Applications Strategy by September 2002. I look forward to receiving your study proposal. The current version of the document can be found at http://www.earth.nasa.gov/visions/appstrat2002.pdf. Please contact Mr. Ron Birk at 358–1701 or Mr. Greg Williams 358–0241 if you have any questions.

Cordially,

Ghasssem R.Asrar

Associate Administrator for Earth Science