CGMS-41 NASA-WP-08
12 June 2013
Prepared by NASA
Agenda Item: WGII/10
Discussed in Working Group II
A Report on NASA Activities That Strengthen Capacity to Use and Apply Earth
Science Data and Products
Christine M. Lee1, Ming-Ying Wei1, Tsengdar Lee1, Daniel Irwin3, C. Duane Armstrong4,
Kenton Ross2, Ana Prados4, Karen Moe4, Michael Seablom4, Richard Eckman2, and Nancy
D. Searby1
1
NASA HQ
NASA Langley Research Center
3
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
4
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
2
Executive summary
This paper summarizes activities within the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
(NASA) Earth science division that are intended to strengthen the capacity of partners and
end-users to use and apply Earth science data and products. One of the goals of this
document is to stimulate discussion on potential points of synergy between NASA and
Coordination Group for Meteorological Satellites capacity building activities. NASA’s Earth
science division sponsors programs and projects that strengthen the ability of decision
makers, community leaders, scientists, and resource managers in the United States and
abroad to access and apply Earth observations. More information about each project can be
found by following the links in Table 1 following the Acknowledgements.
CGMS-41 NASA-WP-08
12 June 2013
A Report on NASA Activities That Strengthen Capacity to Use and Apply
Earth Science Data and Products
1
INTRODUCTION
Strengthening the capacity to use and apply Earth science data and data products is
achieved through many different mechanisms within National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA)’s Earth science division (ESD). These avenues manifest
through the support of specific projects intended to build capacity with a specific
NASA Earth science/remote sensing-derived application, through supporting
education and fellowships, and, through a focused effort within Applied Sciences
Program (ASP), the Capacity Building Program (CBP).
Several of these activities may be synergistic with the Virtual Laboratory for Training
and Education in Satellite Meteorology (VLab) established by the World
Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the Coordination Group for Meteorological
Satellites (CGMS). VLab is a global network of specialized training centers and
meteorological satellite operators working together to improve the utilization of data
and products from meteorological and environmental satellites. At the CGMS-40
presentation in 2012, it was noted that the scope was broadening to include
additional application areas for training, including climate, marine, and land surface
services. This paper summarized on-going activities at NASA that might be related
or synergistic with VLab activities.
2
2.1
NASA ESD’S CAPACITY STRENGTHENING ACTIVITIES AND PROJECTS
Enabling capacity to access NASA Earth science data
In order to make the research satellite data available in near real time for weather
forecasting and other applications such as disaster monitoring and management,
NASA also invests in Land Atmosphere Near Real-time Capability for EOS (LANCE),
Direct Readout Laboratory, and International Moderate Resolution Imaging
Spectroradiometer (MODIS)/ Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) Processing
Package (IMAPP). The availability of data from research satellites for weather
forecasting is made possible by direct broadcast capabilities on the satellites and
ground based antenna and processing systems for the local access to real time data.
Data processing, assimilation, model development, and weather prediction also
requires significant computing resources. The NASA Center for Climate Simulations
(NCCS) is funded to fulfill this responsibility. NCCS is a supercomputing center with
significant focus on weather and climate model developments and the associated
data services including data processing, data management, and data analytics.
NCCS currently has over 1 quadrillion computer operations per second (petaflops)
supercomputing cycles for weather and climate modeling. NASA plans to continue
expanding the supercomputing capacity to support the weather and climate modeling
and prediction research.
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2.2
Supporting Capacity to Transition Satellite Observation Data to
Operations
2.2.1
Joint Center for Satellite Data Assimilation (JCSDA)
JCSDA, since 2002, is a partnership between National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), NASA, the U.S. Navy, and the U.S. Air Force dedicated to
developing and improving our capacity to exploit satellite data more effectively in the
United States. The JCSDA is a collaborative effort that allows the work required to
assimilate the satellite observations available daily to be shared by several agencies.
This effort would otherwise be duplicated across the agencies. Currently, several
types of new satellite data are now assimilated operationally by one or more of the
JCSDA partnering organizations, e.g. polar winds from MODIS, hyperspectral
infrared radiances from AIRS and Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer
(IASI), Global Positioning System (GPS) radio occultation soundings from
Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate
(COSMIC) and a number of other sensors. Another recent achievement of JCSDA is
the transition of Suomi-National Polar-orbiting Partnership (NPP) Advanced
Technology Microwave Sounder data into NOAA Gulf Stream Finder (GSF) global
forecasting modeling system within 7 months after the satellite launch.
2.2.2
Short-term Prediction Research and Transition (SPoRT) Center
NASA encourages more rapid use of NASA’s observations in operational weather
predictions. The Short-term Prediction Research and Transition (SPoRT) center at
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center is chartered to focus on this transition from
research to operation. The SPoRT center has become NASA’s primary research and
operation transition interface with the National Weather Service for short-term
weather predictions. Many NASA research data products are tested in near real time
and disseminated to NOAA’s weather forecast offices. NASA also funds external
research proposals to collaborate with the SPoRT center to accelerate the transition
of research data to at least one operational environment.
Established in 2002 to demonstrate the weather and forecasting application of realtime EOS measurements, the SPoRT program has grown to be an end-to-end
research-to-operations activity focused on the use of advanced NASA modeling and
data assimilation techniques, the application of nowcasting techniques, and the use
of unique high-resolution multispectral observational data from EOS satellites to
improve short-term weather forecasts on a regional and local scale. These activities
are complementary to those of the JCSDA discussed above.
SPoRT matches new data and a technology to forecast challenges, develops
solutions to forecast challenges, and then infuses these capabilities into the
operational weather environment. End user involvement in the entire process is
critical to the success of the transitions. SPoRT currently focuses on over 30 data
products from MODIS, (Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer - Earth
Observing System) AMSR-E, AIRS, Suomi-NPP Visible Infrared Imager Radiometer
Suite (VIIRS), total lightning measurements from ground-based networks and output
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from a regional forecast model which assimilates high resolution NASA data to
improve the initialization conditions and subsequent forecasts.
High resolution imagery from MODIS is an important diagnostic tool to improve
situational awareness of the presence of low clouds and fog, dust and smoke
affecting visibility, and current weather conditions. MODIS channels sensitive to
atmospheric temperature and moisture in various layers of the atmosphere are
combined into red-green-blue (RGB) composites to portray details of tropical
weather systems. AMSR-E estimates of rain rate are particularly useful in coastal
ocean regions where coverage from ground-based weather radar is poor. High
resolution composites of sea surface temperature (SST) and vegetation fraction from
AMSR-E and MODIS, and AIRS thermodynamic profiles are also used to provide
better initial conditions for high resolution weather forecast models run at regional
and local scales. Total lightning data from ground-based lightning networks provide
forecasters a valuable tool to anticipate severe weather and prepares them for the
use of future space-based observations. Suomi-NPP VIIRS day-night bands have
been used to identify tornado damage and for disaster recovery efforts. The SPoRT
program will evolve to stay relevant to the changing needs of NASA research
objectives and forecast issues in the Earth and atmospheric science community and
new observations from upcoming missions.
2.3
Strengthening Capacity of Students to use NASA Earth Science Data
2.3.1
Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE)
NASA is the largest contributor to the Global Learning and Observations to Benefit
the Environment (GLOBE) Program, and has launched a fully redesigned GLOBE
data and information system and website in FY 2012. GLOBE is a worldwide handson, primary and secondary school-science and education program and has been
managed by the NASA Educator Resource Center at Stennis Space Center since
1997. Part of this program’s model is to provide GLOBE certificates and CEU credits
to Educators who participate in GLOBE workshops, all of which is free of charge to
the participant. For more information, please visit www.globe.gov.
2.3.2
NASA’s Earth and Space Science Fellowships (NESSF)
The Earth science component of NESSF strives to build the capacity of graduate
students to utilize Earth science data and develop a highly-trained workforce to
support NASA’s mission in Earth science moving forward. On average,
approximately 50 new fellows are selected each year out of a total of 140-150
fellowships in each class (including renewals, which are permitted for up to three
years).
2.3.3
Student Airborne Research Program (SARP)
SARP is an eight-week summer program for undergraduate students to acquire
hands-on research experience in all aspects of a scientific campaign using NASA’s
DC-8 or P-3B airborne science laboratories. These science laboratories are major
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NASA resources for studying Earth system processes, calibration/ validation of
space-borne observations, and prototyping instruments for possible satellite
missions. Approximately 30 students are selected each year and research areas
include atmospheric chemistry, evapotranspiration from agricultural crops in
California’s Central Valley, and ocean biology along the California coast. Students
also get the experience of collecting field data measurements.
2.4
Strengthening Technological Capability Through Technology
Development Projects
2.4.1
Next-Generation Real-Time Geodetic Station Sensor
The "Next-Generation Real-Time Geodetic Station Sensor Web for Natural Hazards
Research and Applications" by Dr. Yehuda Bock of the University of California - San
Diego was selected for support by the Earth Science Technology Office in 2011. This
project includes partners from the National Weather Service (NWS) offices (Oxnard
and San Diego, CA) and with NOAA's Earth System Research Laboratory (ESRL)
(Boulder, CO) to provide tropospheric signal delays and precipitable water vapor
estimates for forecasting severe storms and flooding. System implementation into
the NWS AWIPS II is projected to occur in early 2016, during which the team will
continue to expand the forecast technique development and training as data
familiarity and expertise increases. The project team has already incorporated data
from 26 GPS stations in a prototype network with sufficiently close meteorological
observations into ESRL's ongoing operations, and have noted a 50% decrease in
precipitable water vapor uncertainty.
2.4.2
Technology to Support CEOS Disasters Projects
The CEOS Disasters Societal Benefit Area includes two regional pilots, Namibia for
floods and Caribbean disasters (hurricanes, earthquakes). ESTO contributes to
these projects by developing and incorporating technology to support the use of
satellite data in disasters/risk management. Furthermore, the project activities have
included direct capacity building to use Earth science data through training activities
with end users.
2.4.3
Disaster and risk management
ESTO supports the development of a GEOSS architecture (or reference framework)
for disasters and risk management within the CEOS WGISS. The scope of the
architecture addresses an Earth observation enterprise view for disasters and risk
management which identifies the need for capacity building. ESTO has also been
working with CEOS WGCapD to better understand the user needs regarding
capacity building for disasters, and seeking insights on any existing or emerging
standard products and/or terminology that would facilitate the use of satellite data in
existing disaster management activities. In this activity, ESTO intends to leverage
expertise and capabilities of those with capacity building expertise to strengthen
capacity in needed areas identified as the GEOSS disaster and risk management
architecture matures.
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2.5
ASP Capacity Building Program
The Capacity Building Program was established in 2011by combining four longstanding NASA Center-led efforts within ASP, including SERVIR, DEVELOP, Gulf of
Mexico Initiative (GOMI), and Applied Remote SEnsing Training (ARSET). The
vision of CBP is to build capacity within the United States and the developing world
to expand the Earth observations user base and build awareness and abilities of
new, non-traditional audiences to use Earth observations in environmental decisionmaking. The program elements of CBP include:




Applied Remote SEnsing Training (ARSET) increases the utility of NASA
Earth Science and model data for decision-makers and applied science
professionals. ARSET offers trainings in the area of Water Resources
Management, Floods, and Air Quality Applications.
DEVELOP trains competitively selected young and transitioning professionals
to work on applied science projects under the guidance of NASA and partner
science advisors, in collaboration with local, state, federal, and international
governments and other end-users organizations.
Gulf of Mexico Initiative (GOMI) supports the Gulf region by applying Earth
observations to address coastal management issues, such as those outlined
by the Gulf of Mexico Alliance (GOMA), a collaboration of Alabama, Florida,
Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, and 13 federal agencies, to enhance the
ecological and economic health of the Gulf region.
SERVIR, a joint venture between NASA and the U.S. Agency for International
Development (USAID), provides satellite-based Earth observation data and
science applications to help developing regions improve their environmental
decision making.
At the program level, CBP has supported broad U.S.-based and international
activities (e.g. interagency, intergovernmental, and public-private partnerships) such
as the U.S. Water Partnership, the Committee on Earth Observing Systems (CEOS)
Working Group for Capacity Building and Data Democracy (WGCapD), and Group
on Earth Observing Systems (GEO) capacity building activities. NASA is supporting
WGCapD’s ongoing efforts to work with GEO to develop an improved ability to map
on-going projects geographically to aid in coordinating similar efforts.
2.5.1
Applied Remote SEnsing Training
ARSET provides professional training in the application of NASA Earth Science data
for air quality, water resources and disaster management. The goal of the program is
to build the skills to integrate NASA Earth Science into agencies’ decision-making
activities. The program works directly with agencies and policy makers to develop inperson and online courses that teach end-users how to access, visualize and apply
NASA Earth Science Data in their professional area. All training modules are publicly
available at the program websites.
Water Resources and Disaster Management ARSET offers online and hands-on
courses (basic and advanced) that build the capacity of end users to monitor floods
and droughts, severe weather and precipitation events, climate impacts on water
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resources, and snow and ice extent; evaluate land-surface products
(evapotranspiration, groundwater, soil moisture, runoff); and also to access existing
online tools for visualization and analysis of satellite data files and imagery.
Air Quality ARSET offers online and hands-on courses (basic and advanced) that
build the capacity of end users to analyze air quality events due to dust, fires and
urban air pollution; assess and track satellite aerosol and trace gas products in
combination with in situ data; monitor long range transport of atmospheric
aerosols/particulate matter and trace gases; compare satellite and regional air
quality model outputs; and also to access existing online tools for visualization and
analysis of satellite data files and imagery.
Additional ARSET training courses in the areas of ecological forecasting and other
topics in Water Resources and Disasters management will be offered in the next
year.
2.5.2
The DEVELOP National Program
DEVELOP supports rapid feasibility application projects that demonstrate how NASA
Earth observations can enhance the decision making process for a variety of enduser organizations (local, state, regional, federal, academic, international, and
NGOs) through embedding students and young professionals in applied research
projects. The program currently hosts 14 locations around the globe; 12 domestic
(six at NASA Centers, six at regional or academic locations) and two international
(Mexico & Nepal). These 14 locations conduct between 60 and 70 projects per year,
working with partners on multiple challenges in the area of climate, marine and land
surface services. See http://develop.larc.nasa.gov for additional information.
Climate projects. DEVELOP teams participated in climate projects including a study
of climate vulnerability in Nepal, a study of impacts of extratropical cyclones in the
continental United States, and development of an enhancement of climate related
tools for CALIPSO products.
Marine projects. DEVELOP teams participated in marine projects including a study
monitoring floating debris in the Gulf of Mexico, a feasibility assessment of oil seep
detection off the Mid-Atlantic coast, and a study of near-shore salinity near the mouth
of the Amazon River.
Land surface projects. DEVELOP teams participated in several land surface projects
including monitoring forest fire-related applications, a study monitoring water
availability in California’s Central Valley, and improved crop residue detection for
monitoring tillage practices. These projects partnered organizations such as the
Texas Forest Service, Oregon Department of Forestry, U.S. Forest Service, and U.S.
Department of Agriculture to demonstrate the utility of NASA’s Earth observations to
improve decision making relating to fire management and mitigation.
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2.5.3
Gulf of Mexico Initiative (GOMI)
GOMI was created to enhance the region’s ability to recover from the devastating
hurricanes of 2005 to plan for a sustainable and prosperous future through the use of
NASA Earth science observations, research, and applications. GOMI end users
primarily fall into the following groups: agencies and localities in the states bordering
the Gulf of Mexico, federal agencies, and non-profit organizations.
Climate projects. GOMI conducts limited climate studies. These efforts are focused
on a better understanding of the implications of climate change on the region’s
communities, economy and ecosystems.
Marine projects. The coastal ocean bears the brunt of human activity and changes in
that activity impact the resilience and sustainability of coastal communities,
economies and ecosystems. GOMI uses remote sensing data, ocean circulation
models, and in-situ observations from multiple sources to monitor the coastal ocean.
GOMI has developed and deployed multiple tools that help respond to crises,
optimize utilization of limited resources, identify and conserve critical fisheries
habitats, and protect public health. For example, GOMI developed the MODIS oil
slick detection capability used by NOAA during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill (and
ever since). GOMI developed the first system that reliably forecasts Sargassum
landings. GOMI has developed multiple tools to detect threats to public health, such
as microbial contamination and harmful algal blooms.
Land surface projects. The majority of issues in the coastal ocean originate on land.
Therefore, GOMI uses the entire suite of NASA remote sensing assets to detect and
monitor changes in the landscape. Land use land cover studies that span scales
from a few meters to entire watersheds, and from today to decades ago, enable
sophisticated tools to detect, and in some cases identify the cause of, disruptions to
the ecosystem. This information guides conservation and restoration of critical
habitats, identifies outbreaks of pests and invasive species, enhances fire
assessments, shows the impact of subsidence, and helps farmers select
management practices that reduce their impact on water quality.
Weather projects. The Gulf Coast region is prone to severe weather, including
hurricanes, tornadoes, drought, floods, and ice storms. These events can exact a
heavy toll on lives, economies, and ecosystems. GOMI conducts some projects to
better prepare the region for the next round of bad weather. For example, GOMI has
developed enhanced drought monitoring tools that better capture the extent and
severity of drought conditions. GOMI has evaluated risks that different storms pose
to evacuation routes from low-lying areas. GOMI has also developed a convection
forecasting tool that is used by NOAA to plan flights over the Gulf of Mexico.
2.5.4
SERVIR
SERVIR is a joint NASA-USAID project to build capacity to use Earth observations
and geospatial technology for improved societal decision-making. SERVIR currently
has three regional hubs in Mesoamerica, East Africa and in Hindu Kush-Himalaya. It
focuses on governmental ministries and departments as the target end users and
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builds capacity to use NASA earth science data and products through codevelopment of science applications with regional hub partners.
Climate projects. The greenhouse gas (GHG) Land Cover Mapping project is being
conducted with Malawi, Zambia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Botswana, and Namibia to
produce land cover and land use change maps towards the United Nations
Framework Convention onf Climate Change and the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency GHG Inventory in East and Southern Africa. Another project that SERVIR
has is the biodiversity mapping projects that uses ground- and satellite-based data to
develop a baseline for flora and fauna for assessing possible impacts of climate
change on species numbers and distribution. SERVIR also partners with My
Community Our Earth (MyCOE) to support capacity building around the world with
students to use NASA Earth observations for climate research.
Marine projects. Coastal SERVIR projects include an online harmful algal bloom
warning system on the coasts of El Salvador in collaboration with the University of El
Salvador, monitoring sea surface temperature around Central America regions,
monitoring of coastal regions in East Africa for improved planning, adaptation, and
response to natural disaster events or stressed water resources.
Land surface projects. Some examples of SERVIR projects in the area of land
surface studies include (1) the land-cover mapping project of at 30 m resolution for
Bhutan, Nepal and Bangladesh, which is particularly important for sustainable
livelihoods of rural communities; (2) Biomass estimation using multi-resolution
satellite data in support of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest
Degradation (REDD) policies; and (3) the greenhouse gas (GHG) Land Cover
Mapping project mentioned under “climate projects above.”
Weather projects. In collaboration with SPoRT, SERVIR will support the
development of improved weather forecasting tools using cloud computing. Other
projects include the provision of a comprehensive rainfall dataset for East Africa,
evaluating historical changes in snowfall/snow cover in the Hindu Kush region, and
monitoring severe drought occurrences.
Other. SERVIR is working with the World Bank to provide seamless integration
between the SERVIR portal and GeoNode—an open source GIS mapping platform
whose aim is to enable collaborative sharing of data collected by humanitarian and
development agencies. For more information about GeoNode instance, visit
horn.rcmrd.org
3
SUMMARY
NASA Earth science has a range of activities that strengthen the capacity of
students, scientists, and others to access and utilize Earth observations data;
capacity building projects also improve the ability to transition remote sensingderived data products from research to operations, with the objective of benefiting
decision-makers in their resource management process. While this document is not
exhaustive in terms of the discussed work with ESD to improve capacity, it was
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intended to highlight a set of programs and projects that have the potential for
synergies with on-going CGMS Vlab efforts. Many of the programs include additional
efforts that build capacity to utilize remote sensing data in other Group on Earth
Observations System of Systems (GEOSS) societal benefit areas including
Disasters, Health, Energy, Agriculture, Biodiversity, and Water. The projects
discussed were selected based on the interest areas of CGMS Vlab to train and
build capacity to use meteorological satellite data in marine, land surface, climate,
and weather applications and contexts.
4
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
NASA would like to acknowledge all of its partners who have enabled a wide
diversity and reach of Capacity Building efforts across the Earth science division.
Table 1.
Activity
Direct Readout
Laboratory
LANCE
IMAPP
NCCS
JCSDA
SPoRT
SARP
NESSF
GLOBE
Next-Generation
Real-Time Geodetic
Station Sensor
Applied Sciences
ARSET
DEVELOP
SERVIR
GOMI
MyCOE
GeoNode Instances
More info
http://directreadout.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/
http://lance.nasa.gov
http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/imapp/
http://www.nccs.nasa.gov/
http://www.jcsda.noaa.gov/
http://weather.msfc.nasa.gov/sport/
http://www.nserc.und.edu/sarp
http://nspires.nasaprs.com
http://www.globe.gov
http://www.esto.nasa.gov
http://appliedsciences.nasa.gov
water.gsfc.nasa.gov and airquality.gsfc.nasa.gov
http://develop.larc.nasa.gov
http://servirglobal.net
http://gulfofmexicoinitiative.nasa.gov
http://www.aag.org/sustainable
http://horn.rcmrd.org
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