Earth Science Data
GETTING EARTH SCIENCE DATA
Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS)
The Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) The Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) is a major core capability within NASA’s Earth Science Data Systems Program. EOSDIS ingests, processes, archives and distributes data from a large number of Earth observing satellites. EOSDIS consists of a set of processing facilities and Earth Science Data Centers distributed across the United States and serves hundreds of thousands of users around the world, providing hundreds of millions of data files each year covering many Earth science disciplines.
DATA AND INFORMATION POLICY
NASA's Earth Science program was established to use the advanced technology of NASA to understand and protect our home planet by using our view from space to study the Earth system and improve prediction of Earth system change. To meet this challenge, NASA promotes the full and open sharing of all data with the research and applications communities, private industry, academia, and the general public.
NASA was the first agency in the US, and the first space agency in the world, to couple policy and adequate system functionality to provide full and open access in a timely manner – that is, with no period of exclusive access to mission scientists – and at no cost.
NASA made this decision after listening to the user community, and with the background of the then newly-formed US Global Change Research Program and the International Earth Observing System partnerships. Other US agencies and international space agencies have since adopted similar open-access policies and practices.
Since the adoption of the Earth Science Data Policy adoption in 1991, NASA’s Earth Science Division has developed policy implementation, practices, and nomenclature that mission science teams use to comply with policy tenets.
Mission Data System Requirements
INFORMATION ABOUT DATA
Data Levels
EOSDIS science data products are processed at various levels ranging from Level 0 to Level 4. Level 0 products are raw data at full instrument resolution. At higher levels, the data are converted into more useful parameters and formats. All EOS instruments must have Level 1 SDPs. Most have products at Levels 2 and 3, and some have products at Level 4.
Detailed definitions of data levels
Data Maturity Levels
Data System Standards
NASA's Earth Science Data Systems Groups anticipate that effective adoption of standards will play an increasingly vital role in the success of future science data systems. The Earth Science Data Systems Standards Process Group (SPG), a board composed of Earth Science Data Systems stakeholders, directs the process for both identification of appropriate standards and subsequent adoption for use by the Earth Science Data Systems stakeholders.
List of Approved Data System Standards
ABOUT EARTH SCIENCE DATA SYSTEMS PROGRAM
Core and Community Data System Elements
In order to serve the needs of a broad and diverse community of users, EOSDIS is comprised of both “Core” and “Community” data system elements.
Core data system elements reflect NASA’s responsibility for managing Earth science satellite mission data characterized by the continuity of research, access, and usability. The core comprises all the hardware, software, physical infrastructure, and intellectual capital NASA recognizes as necessary for performing its tasks in Earth science data system management.
Community data system elements are those pieces or capabilities developed and deployed largely outside of NASA core elements and are characterized by their evolvability and innovation. Successful applicable elements can be infused into the core, thereby creating a vibrant and flexible, continuously evolving infrastructure.