Our mission is to enable science research and applications of unique aircraft and sensors to provide in-atmosphere observations that augment space systems and characterize regional or localized phenomena at high spatial and temporal resolutions.
The Airborne Science Program within the Earth Science Division
is responsible for providing aircraft systems that further science
and advance the use of satellite data. The primary objectives
of this program are to:
Conduct in-situ atmospheric measurements with varying vertical and horizontal resolutions
Collect high-resolution imagery for focused process studies and sub-pixel resolution for spaceborne calibration.
Implement "sensor web" observational strategies for conducting earth science missions including intelligent mission management, and sensor networking.
Demonstrate and exploit the capabilities of uninhabited and autonomous aircraft for science investigations
Test new sensor technologies in space-like environments
Calibrate/validate space-based measurements and retrieval algorithms
To meet these observing objectives, we need a suite of sustained, ongoing platforms and sensors on which investigators can rely from year to year; from these known capabilities ESE can develop observing strategies. However, an ongoing capability will be resource-constrained and eventually technology-constrained, so that not all observing requirements will be met with the limited core capability. Therefore the program will facilitate access to other platforms or sensors on a funds-available, as-needed basis, to accommodate unique and/or occasional requirements. The program will also look constantly for new, evolving technologies to demonstrate their applicability for Earth science. Depending on the success of the demonstrations and the observing needs, the core capability is expected to evolve and change over time. The speed and extent of change will be balanced against the need for established, known capabilities for long-term planning.
NASA Headquarters is responsible for determining program direction
and content through the strategic planning and budget formulation
process. The program office is the interface to the Science
Missions Directorate ensuring that program activities and investments
support the broader agency when possible. Implementation of
the major program elements takes place at the various research
center.
Ames Research Center is the lead for suborbital science mission management. This includes field campaign management and logistics through the Earth Science Project Office, and sensor support and development of interface standards through the Airborne Science and Technology Laboratory (formerly the Airborne Sensor Facility). Ames manages the suborbital science flight request process, future mission and platforms requirements definitions under the Airborne Science Office.
Goddard�s Wallops Flight Facility is the lead for managing the catalog aircraft program and safety overview of contracted aircraft. Even though the aircraft may reside at other facilities, Wallops will serve as the main point of contact for funding and tasking of the different platforms. Wallops will continue the work in the field of small class Uninhabited Aerial Systems (UAS) research. Wallops is still operating the low altitude heavy lift P-3B aircraft, and is managing the cooperative agreement for the transition and operation of the D-8 by the University of North Dakota.
Dryden Flight Research Center is the lead for new technology and prototype aircraft. The focus at Dryden is on advanced mission platform technologies, and UAS development. There is a New Platform Technology program element, which is collecting requirements and building community support for UAS under the civil UAS assessment. The Earth Science Capabilities Demonstration Program is responsible for supporting science missions through the use of large class tactical UAS platforms. Dryden continues to support access to high altitude research through the use of conventional aircraft, including the ER-2 and G-III. Dryden is supporting the DC-8 transition with safety and operations oversight.
POINTS OF CONTACT
Andrew Roberts - Program Manager
Randy Albertson - Deputy Program Manager (Acting)
George Postell - Catalogue element manager
Matt Fladeland - Science element manager
Frank Cutler - Technology element manager
CALL LETTER
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