Life Sciences in the Space Program 



Finding 



• Data for Earth System Science will be supplied eventually by the Earth 

 Observing System. 



— EOS consists of four unmanned, space-based platforms housing various 

 remote-sensing devices for Earth observation. 



— It includes two geostationary and two sun-synchronous platforms. Of 

 these, two platforms will be supplied by the United States and one each 

 by the European Space Agency and the National Space Development 

 Agency of Japan. 



— In addition to the orbital platforms, EOS will consist of a ground 

 complement with receiving stations and an advanced data management 

 and data analysis system. 



Reco m mend a tion 



• The Biospherics Research Program should participate in the design and 

 implementation of the Earth Observing System. 



Finding 



• The Terrestrial Ecosystems and Biospherics Research Programs are responsible 

 for similar scientific disciplines within different NASA divisions. Insufficient 

 communication and joint planning has contributed to the perception of 

 confusion and competition between these two programs. Without a plan to 

 manage overlap, the confusion and misperceptions that now exist will work to 

 the detriment of both programs. Cooperation is needed in such areas as 

 determining the research priorities of each program and identifying budget 

 considerations. 



Recommendation 



• The Biospherics Research Program should develop a program plan for 

 participation in global biological research that reflects the existence of a large 

 international effort in global research. 



— This program can conduct some portion of that global program better 

 than any other group. The program plan should identify and focus on 

 those areas of research. 



— The Terrestrial Ecosystems Program should undertake a similar effort; 

 areas of individual and joint interest should be clearly detailed in the 

 Memorandum of Understanding negotiated between these two groups. 



Finding 



• The funding requirements and logistical difficulties of global research on a 

 long-term basis pose enormous challenges that transcend the capabilities of any 



ingle organization. Cooperation is needed among the agencies that support 

 search in this area, including NOAA, NSF, DOE, USDA, and EPA 



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