Space based observations are playing an increasingly important role in understanding the complex, changing planet on which we live, and in meeting the challenge of insuring prosperity, health, and sustainability for future generations. NASA invested significantly in the development of a satellite based Earth Observing System that sought to develop this paradigm of space based observations supported by significant networks of ground observations.
We are now entering a new era, one of cooperation and collaboration in the development of a next generation Earth Observing System, the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), based upon the principles of Group on Earth Observation (GEO). In developing the next generation of space-based observatories, NASA will be guided by the US National Research Council's Decadal Study entitled: Earth Science and Applications from Space: National Imperatives for the Next Decade and Beyond. The study identifies compelling scientific challenges and presents a series of mission concepts to be developed over the next decade to address those challenges.
The Global Geodetic Observing System and its constituent Services has played a critical role in space based measurement strategies addressing climate change, geohazards, and other areas of importance to our developing global societies. The NRC Decadal Study identifies several missions including GNSS Radio Occultation, ICESAT-II, DESDynI, GRACE-II, and LIST that depend critically upon products generated by the GGOS and its constituent Services.
The broader extraterrestrial exploration goals articulated by NASA and our international sister agencies also depend upon the Celestial Reference Frame, Earth Orientation Parameters, time transfer, and interplanetary navigation. All of which depend upon the products of the Global Geodetic Observing System and its constituent Services.
The importance of a scientifically and technologically vibrant Global Geodetic Observing System cannot be under estimated as we move forward in the development of our Earth observation and exploration strategies. The NRC Decadal Study calls attention to the deterioration of the global geodetic networks despite their critical contributions to the planned missions. NASA is attempting to address some of these concerns but a coordinated international strategy and the attendant contributions will be required to meet this challenge. This hopefully will be a key goal for the GGOS in the next decade.