Recommendation 3.

The NASA Earth Science Enterprise should continue to play an active role in the acquisition and analysis of systematic measurements for climate research as well as in the provision of new technology for NPOESS. The committee proposes the following specific actions to achieve this recommendation:

• NASA/ESE should develop specific technology programs aimed at the development of sustainable instrumentation for NPOESS.

• NASA/ESE should ensure that systematic measurements that are integrated into operational systemscontinue to meet science requirements.

• NASA/ESE should continue satellite missions for many measurements that are critical for climate research and monitoring.

Recommendation 4.

Joint research and operational opportunities such as the NPOESS Preparatory Project should become a permanent part of the U.S. Earth observing remote sensing strategy. The committee proposes the following specific actions to achieve this recommendation:

• The NPP concept should be made a permanent part of the U.S. climate observing strategy as a joint NASA-IPO activity.

• Some space should be reserved on the NPOESS platforms for research sensors and technology demonstrations as well as to provide adequate data downlink and ground segment capability.

• NPP and NPOESS resources should be developed and allocated with the full participation of the Earth science community.

National Research Council (NRC). 1998. Overview, Global Environmental Change: Research Pathways for the Next Decade. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press.

National Research Council (NRC). 1999a. The Adequacy of Climate Observing Systems. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press.

National Research Council (NRC), Space Studies Board. 1999b. “Assessment of NASA's Plans for Post-2002 Earth Observing Missions,” short report to Dr. Ghassem Asrar, NASA's Associate Administrator for Earth Science, April 8.

National Research Council, Space Studies Board. 2000. Issues in the Integration of Research and Operational Satellite Systems for Climate Research: II. Implementation. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press, forthcoming.