Ask the Scholar
Document scope · 1 page
Scholar
Ask about this object, its catalog metadata, its source description, or the page inventory.
For page-specific OCR and visual context, open one of the page chats.
Source Description
Records pertain to the Office of Science and Technology Policy.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
285792727
label
NASA - Earth Observing System [1 of 3]
core
doc
dtoType
document
citationUrl
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
285792727
contentType
document
title
NASA - Earth Observing System [1 of 3]
description
Records pertain to the Office of Science and Technology Policy.
citationUrl
identifierLocal
62098-003
collections
Records of the White House Office of Science and Technology (George H. W. Bush Administration)
John F. O'Neil Subject Files
largeImageUrl
imageCount
1
hasImages
yes
source
import
hasTranscription
no
Source extras
naId
285792727
levelOfDescription
fileUnit
recordType
description
ocrSource
nara-archive
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
document
mediaId
79513779bfd68042
ocrText
Originally Processed With FOIA(s):
FOIA Number:
2005-0336-F
2005-0336-F
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin:
Science and Technology Policy, Office of (OSTP)
Series:
O'Neil, John F., Files
Subseries:
Government Organization Files
OA/ID Number:
62098
Folder ID Number:
62098-003
Folder Title:
NASA - Earth Observing System [1 of 3]
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
0
0
0
0
To: Rick Yannuzi
From: Norman Metzger at NOTES
1-11-92 3:52pm P. 1
NNAS
National Research Council
R
NAE
National Academy of Sciences
National Academy of Engineering
C
IOM
Institute of Medicine
To: Rick Yannuzi
Date: 4-11-92
From: Norman Metzger at NOTES
Page 1 of 2
Sending Fax number: Use Originator's FAX
Receiving Fax number: 9-395-1572,62378
Sub ject: Classified Briefings
This CC: Fax transmission comes to you courtesy of cc:Mail, Inc.
To: Rick Yannuzi
From: Norman Metzger at NOTES
4-11-92 3:53pm P. 2
4/11/92 3:41PM
From
: Norman Metzger at NOTES
To
: Rick Yannuzi FAX#9-395-1572w62378 at FAX
CC
: Charles Zraket FAX#916172717999W92979 at FAX
Karl Erb FAX#9-395-3719 at FAX
Subject : Classified Briefings
Message Contents
Rick,
Thank you, again, for arranging the briefing. I know it was a job, but I can
assure you that we found it both well done and extremely valuable. It will
make for a stronger final report of the EOSDIS panel; and, I suspect, at the
same time you and your colleaques may benefit from the Panel's observations on
the EOSDIS project, both in the interim report, which Karl should now have, and
in the final report, due in August.
Again, our appreciation.
Norm
APR 24 '92 18:09
CENTER FOR SECURITY POLICY
194 P01/03
THE
PRESS RELEASE
Life
No. 92-P 42
24 April 1992
For Immediate Release
Contact: Jennifer W. Macdonald
CENTER
(202) 466-0515
FOR
SECURITY
FROM THE FOLKS WHO ARMED IRAQ: BUSH EXPORT DECONTROL
POLICY
DECISION ENSURES NEW SCANDALS ABOUT STRATEGIC TECHNOLOGY
(Washington, D.C.): Fresh evidence is in hand of President Bush's Faustian
determination - as he recently put it to journalist David Frost - to do "whatever is
necessary to be reelected." It can be found in his decision to eliminate controls on the
D
preponderance of militarily relevant technologies sold to other Western nations and to
rely upon those nations' own export controls to ensure that such technologics are not
E
retransferred to dangerous end-users. In choosing to pander to a special interest, in
this case a small but vociferous group of American exporters, Mr. Bush has yet again
opted for political expediency over long-term U.S. security interests.
C
Rank domestic political considerations seem the only explanation for such an
action in light of events of the past few years:
In the aftermath of the war with Iraq, it has become clear that -- even under the
previous, relatively stringent export control regime -- too many strategic dual-
S
use technologies were finding their way into the wrong hands. Consider the
attachment from today's New York Times which offers a partial listing of sales to
Iraq approved by the U.S. Commerce Department from 1985-90. It shows that
before this latest liberalization, to say nothing of after it, the Saddam Husseins of
the world had a field day acquiring sophisticated computer systems and
components for atomic weapons, chemical arms and other malevolent activities.
What is more, allied nations -- in particular Germany - have been even more
N
irresponsible with respect to such sales. In addition to routinely approving
purchases by questionable end-users of technologies not constrained by COCOM
agreements (but dangerous nonetheless), the Germans and other allies
frequently sold equipment and know-how specifically proscribed for such sale
by multilateral agreement.
B
European governments have over the past few days announced the arrest of a
R
number of individuals accused of involvement with Soviet/Russian espionage
operations in France, Belgium and the Netherlands. The purpose of these spy
rings reportedly was to acquire Western technology illegally, underscoring the
I
continuing strategic significance of such technology even in the "post-Cold
War" era.
E
What is more, at least some of the successors to the Soviet Union have shown
themselves incapable of preventing the transfer of Soviet-originated high
technology to unpalatable states in the Middle East and elsewhere. In fact, given
F
the extreme pressure for hard currency being experienced by all of the Soviet
successor states, it is predictable that any marketable Western dual-usc
equipment will probably be rapidly made available for resale elsewhere.
- more
1250 24th Street, N.W., Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20037 (202) 466-0515 FAX (202) 466-0518
APR 24 '92 18:09
CENTER FOR SECURITY POLICY
194 P02/03
Page Two
Center for Security Policy
24 April 1992
Decision Brief
Under these circumstances, it is simply irresponsible for the Bush Administration to
be dismantling those few export controls and associated institutional arrangements that
remain. It is, moreover, entirely disingenuous for the White House and Commerce
Department to maintain as a press release issued by Commerce's Bureau of Export
Administration today does - that such steps "do not weaken U.S. non-proliferation export
controls."
The Center for Security Policy believes that it is an insult to the intelligence of the
American pcople who have already been badly served by past official inattention to export
control issues - to suggest that there will be no adverse impact on proliferation when, as
Commerce says, "licensing will no longer be required on roughly 95 percent of all national
security controlled items exported to COCOM members and cooperating countries."
(Emphasis added.) If Congress does not wish to share fully in the blame that will flow
from technology transfer scandals sure to result from this decision, it must take
corrective action at once. Such action should include:
0
Hearings by the security-minded Armed Services and Intelligence Committees into the
proliferation implications of past export control policies and of the proposed new
standard.
0
A fresh look at the importance of having the Defense Department and intelligence
community involved in evaluating export control decisions, Reportedly, the prime
movers behind the policy announced by President Bush yesterday was the handywork of
What this
NSC staffers with no competence in defense technology issues (Ed Hewett and
Anthony Wayne, Director and Deputy Director respectively of the Russian and
Eurasian Affairs office and Timothy Deal and Richard Barth, Director and Deputy
Director responsible for international economic programs) and the Commerce
Department.
A flat rejection of the Administration's proposal contained in the Freedom Support Act
unveiled on 1 April that would have Congress extend a blanket endorsement for any
reductions the executive branch wishes to make in the control list among other, ill-
advised "blank check" changes to ostensibly "obsolete, Cold War" legislation.
- 30 -
A35
THE NEW YORK TIMES OP-ED FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 1992
Iraq's Bomb, Chip by Chip
The U.S. Commerce Department licensed the following strategic American
export licensing records; the dollar a nount of each transaction is as claimed
exports for Saddam Hussein's atomic weapon programs between 1995 and
by the exporting company. It was compiled by Gary Milhoilin, a law professor
1990. Virtually all of the items were shipped to traq: all are useful for making
at the University of Wisconsin and director of the Wisconsin Project Off
atomic bombs or long-range missiles. United Nations inspectors In traq are
Nuclear Arms Control and Diana Edensword, a research analyst at the
APR 24 '92 18:10
still trying to find most of them. The list is based on Commerce Department
project.
Atomic Bomb Builders
produce centrifuges for making atomic bomb fuel- $1,400,000
Lummus Crest: Radio spectrum analyzers; designcompters; computers for
Sales to: Iraqi Atomic Energy Commission, the main atomic research
factories producing mustard gas ingredients - $250,000
Rockwell Collins International: equipment for nav.gation, directional finding,
laboratory; Bad- and Daura sites, where bcmb fuel was made; At Qaqaa site,
radar communications or airborne communications - $127,558
where demonators were made.
Sackman Associates: computers and instruments capable of analyzing met-
Canberra Elektronik: computers for measuring gamma rays and fast neu-
als and powders for atomic bomb and missile manufacture - $60,000
Slemens Corporation: computers and instruments capable of analyzing
trons - $30,000
metals and powders for atomic bomb and missile manufacture - $78,000
Cerberus Ltd.: computers - $18,181
Hewlett Packard: computers; electronic testing, calibration and graphics
Spectra Physics: lasers; detection and tracking equipment for lasers
$19,000
equipment - $25,000
International Computer Systems: computers useful for graphic design of
Unisys Corporation: computers - $2,600,000
Wild Magnavex Satellite Survey: computers for processing satellite images
atemic bembs andmissiles - $1,600,000
Perkin-Elmer: computers and instruments useful for quality control of bomb
that are useful for military mapping and surveillance - $270,000
Zeta Laboratories: quariz crystals for military radar - $1,105,000
fuels - $280,000
CENTER FOR SECURITY POLICY
TI Coating Inc.: equipment for coating metal parts, useful for bomb produc-
tion - $373,708
Missile Builders
Atomic Bomb and Missile Builders
Sales to: Soad 16, the main missile research site: State Organization for
Technical Industry, the procurement organization for missite sites that
Sales In: Ministry of Industry and Military Industrialization, which FOR the
bought most Scud missile parts and equipment.
atomic bomb, missile and chemical weapor factories; Nassr state enterprise,
where equipment for eariching atomic homb fuel was made; Saiah Al Din site,
BOM Corporation: computers; superconducting électronics - $29,405
where electronic equipment for missites and etomic bombs was made:
Carl Schenck: computers - $10,228
Ministry of Defense, which oversaw missile and atomic bomb development
EZ Logic Data: computers - $27,800
Flanigan MAT: computers that U.N. Inspectors believe monitored uranium
Axel Electronics: capacitors - $84,000
enrichment for atomic bomb fuel - $483,000
BDM Corporation: computers; computer-assisted design equipment
Hewlett Packard: electronic testing equipment; computers; frequency syn-
thesizers. radio spectrum analyzers - $599,257
$52,000
Canberra Elektronik: computers for computer-assisted design - $21,552
International Computer Systems: computers - $1,375,000
Carl Zeiss: microcemputers for mapping - $104,545
International Imaging Systems: computers for processing satellite data;
Consare Corporation: computers to run machine tools capable of manufactur-
infrared equipment capable of aerial reconaissance and military surveillance
-$988,000
194 P03/03
ing atomic bomb parts (this sale was stopped by Presidential order in June
Lummus Crest: computers to aid factory design - $44,320
1990) - $525,550
Data General Corporation: computers for mapping - $324,000
Perkin-Eimer: computers - $24,560
Gerber Systems: computers to run machine tools capable of manufacturing
Scientific Atlania: equipment for producing radar antennas - $820,000
atomic bomb and missile parts - $367,428
Semetex Corporation: computers - $5,155,781
Hewlett Packand: computers for making molds; frequency synthesizers and
Spectral Data Corporation: satellite data processing equipment - $26,880
other ecuipment useful for operating secured military communications
Tektronix: high-speed electronics useful in developing atomic bombs and
missiles; radio spectrum analyzers for developing microwave equipment -
systems - $1,015,500
Honeywell Inc.: computers - $353,333
International Computer Systems: computers for manufacturing, tool design
$102,000 Thermo Jarrell Ash Corporation: computers for testing mater:als - $350,893
and graphics - $4,497,700
Unisys Corporation: computers for production control - $7,796
Irternational Computers Ltd: computers - $687,994
Veeco Instruments Inc.: computers for factory design -- $4,640
Leybold Vacuum Systems: computer controlled welder used by Iraqis to
Wiltron Company: equipment for making radar antennas - $49,510
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20506
April 10, 1992
IC BRIEFING TO THE NRC PANEL ON EOSDIS
ATTENDEES
Charles Zraket
Chairman, NRC Panel
Scholar in Residence
The Kennedy School of Government
Harvard University
(617)495-8132
Kenneth Daugherty
Chief Scientist, Defense Mapping Agency
(703)285-9178
John Hopcroft
Dept. of Computer Science, Cornell University
(607)255-7416
Norman Metzger
National Research Council
(202)334-3061
Karl Erb
Associate Director Designate for Physical Sciences and Engineering
OSTP
(202)395-5130
Eugene Wong
Associate Director for Industrial Technology
OSTP
(202)456-7710
Michelle Van Cleave
Assistant Director for National Security Affairs
OSTP
Withdrawal/Redaction Sheet
(George Bush Library)
Document No.
Subject/Title of Document
Date
Restriction
Class.
and Type
01a. List
NRC Panel Attendees [50 USC 403g, Sec 6] (1 pp.)
4/10/92
(b)(3), (b)(7c)
Collection:
Record Group:
Bush Presidential Records
Office:
Science and Technology Policy, Office of (OSTP)
Series:
O'Neil, John F., Files
Subseries:
Government Organization Files
WHORM Cat.:
File Location:
NASA - Earth Observing System [1 of 3]
Date Closed:
5/27/2010
OA/ID Number:
62098-003
FOIA/SYS Case #:
2005-0336-F
Appeal Case #:
Re-review Case #:
Appeal Disposition:
P-2/P-5 Review Case #:
Disposition Date:
AR Case #:
MR Case #:
AR Disposition:
MR Disposition:
AR Disposition Date:
MR Disposition Date:
RESTRICTION CODES
Presidential Records Act - [44 U.S.C. 2204(a)]
Freedom of Information Act - [5 U.S.C. 552(b)]
P-1 National Security Classified Information [(a)(1) of the PRA]
(b)(1) National security classified information [(b)(1) of the FOIA]
P-2 Relating to the appointment to Federal office [(a)(2) of the PRA]
(b)(2) Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of an
P-3 Release would violate a Federal statute [(a)(3) of the PRA]
agency [(b)(2) of the FOIA]
P-4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or
(b)(3) Release would violate a Federal statute [(b)(3) of the FOIA]
financial information [(a)(4) of the PRA]
(b)(4) Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial
P-5 Release would disclose confidential advice between the President
information [(b)(4) of the FOIA]
and his advisors, or between such advisors [a)(5) of the PRA]
(b)(6) Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
P-6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy [(b)(6) of the FOIA]
personal privacy [(a)(6) of the PRA]
(b)(7) Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement
purposes [(b)(7) of the FOIA]
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed of
(b)(8) Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of
gift.
financial institutions [(b)(8) of the FOIA]
(b)(9) Release would disclose geological or geophysical information
PRM. Removed as a personal record misfile.
(202)395-7326
Douglas Beason
Senior Policy Analyst
OSTP
(202)395-3840
John O'Neil
Senior Policy Analyst
OSTP
(202)395-3272
(b)(3)
(b)(7c)
Steve Harrison
Director for Advanced Concepts, Science, and Technology
National Space Council
(202)395-6175
Bush Library Photocopy
REQUEST FOR APPOINTMENTS
TS SI/TK
To:
Officer in Charge
Appointments Center
Room 060, OEOB
Please admit the following appointments on Friday, April 10, 1992,
for Dr. Karl Erb of OSTP.
BERKO, FREDERICK
10/26/43
Plus 3 from PFIAB.
BOZZAY, JOSEPH
9/30/58
CALVELLI, FRANK
11/11/64
DATEMA, CHARLES
12/18/45
DAUGHERTY, KENNETH
11/20/35
HAMMARSTROM, LEE
2/11/39
HARRIS, JEFF
6/28/53
HOPCROFT, JOHN
10/7/39
MALINOWSKI, LEONARD
9/11/29
MEEHAN, PATRICK
12/27/45
MEHLBAUM, ALBERT
6/11/46
1
METZGER, NORMAN
11/12/36
MIHARA, ROBERT
9/5/40
ROY, RICHARD
1/7/48
ROSEN, MORRIS
10/23/34
SNAPP, MIKE
1/16/47
SOTHERLUND, DANA
11/29/54
SPENCER, NORMAN
4/7/44
TOWNSEND, ALEX
4/8/43
WEIRICH, JERRY
12/25/53
ZALL, LINDA
11/15/50
ZELINSKI, GARY
3/3/56
15 EOP/NRC
ZRAKET, CHARLES
1/9/24
19 - IC
34
MEETING LOCATION:
Building OEOB
Requested by Jo Ann Ward
Room No. 208
Room No. 572 Telephone 7326
Time of Meeting 9 AM
Date of Request April 9, 1992
APPOINTMENTS CENTER: SIG/OEOB - 395-6046 OR WHITE HOUSE - 456-6742
Info Hndy tystem
Eus DIS
NRC NAS
stud
POC: you alexander, NASA
453-1430
FISK
Chairman, mitae
Husch worked
admol
at matre.
TOR
Za raket
Londa's FAX
TOR
Harl: Study + Exection Br.
Brown/ Bumly
703/734-0062
a NASA Study
hee Hemmarstron
NRD POC
Chief R+D
Discussion of this assue
703/318-2130
482-4303 -7713 Harsch.
Pulem Rept : 3/92
Dozier mit Lee.
End : 7/92
Leenboard.
carphone
(301) 1807-4262
Very good, Ansor w/t
Betty
former du of Mata. Expectise
Karl Eb
alex Bronsend
M relevant.
Lito Yotes because the Mablen 2 fold.
hunda sand that to date the IC line
7
Gelly datampam Downlush problems
done nothy to hilp the EDS peoplem
(Wathers group) & prousery.
the DIS. she spolu to you dont thes:
2
Data(eploitation dissementation.
(Bahar-
who respended very will in Nov '91.
alex Townsend
Lear Futh -Gou Staffer onthis)
Norm Spencer 345 1092 318-2720
Memo to Gates
-2724-desh.
C.I.A
"Of course one of us is a spy, you idiot...We're all spies!"
APR 01 '92 12:00PM
P.2/3
DAVID L BOREN, OKLAHOMA, CHAIRMAN
FRANK M. MURKOWSKI, ALASKA, VICE CHAIRMAN
ERNEST F. HOLLINGS. SOUTH CAROLINA JOHN WARNER, VIRGINIA
BKL BRADLEY, NEW JERSEY
ALFONSE D'AMATO. NEW YORK
ALAM CRANSTON, CALIFORNIA
JOHN c. DANPORTH, MIDDOURI
DENNIS DECONCINI. ARIZONA
WARREN RUDMAN, NEW NAMPSHIRE
HOWARD METZENBAUM, OHIO
SLADE GORTON, WASHINGTON
JOHN GLENN, OHIO
JOHN W, CHAFEL RHODE ISLAND
ads ROBERT KENNEY, NEDRABKA
Hnited States Senate
SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE
GEORGE J. MITCHELL MAINE. IX OFFICIO
ROBERT DOLL KANSAS. EX OFFICIO
WASHINGTON, DC 200 10-0475
GEORGE J. TENET, STARF DIRECTOR
JOHN H, MOBEMAN, MINORITY STAFF DIRECTOR
KATHLEEN P. MoGHEE CHIEF CLERK
March 26, 1992
The Honorable Robert M. Gates
Director of Central Intelligence
Central Intelligence Agency
Washington, D.C. 20505
Dear Bob:
Knowing of your discussions with Senator Gore concerning
the contributions our intelligence assets might make toward a
greater understanding of global environmental change, I
wanted to signal my interest in the issue.
By way of background, my first legislative initiative in
1981 was an Act to increase our national emphasis on Arctic
research. That Act became law in 1985 as the Arctic Research
and Policy Act. One of the things that Act recognized was
the role and importance of the Arctic in understanding global
change, and the need to address environmental protection in
the Arctic through sound scientific research. Indeed, the
Arctic is a natural laboratory for the study of global
change, and scientists tell me that global change will first
appear in the Arctic. So my interest in this issue is not
new, constituents. and it is of immediate and direct interest to my
I would be extremely interested in having your views on
the role the Intelligence Community can and should play in
enhancing our understanding of global change and similar
environmental matters: I would also be interested in your
thoughts on ways to identify the data from national
collection methods that might be useful to environmental
scientists, as well as ways that the useful data could be
sanitized to protect intelligence sources and methods.
One idea that has been proposed is to establish a panel
of environmental scientists, and to clear and brief them on
intelligence collection means that might make a contribution
to our body of knowledge about global climate systems. If
this strikes you as a satisfactory approach, I have some
names of scientists that I'd like to submit for
consideration.
APR 01 '92 12:01PM
P.3/3
The Honorable Robert M. Gates
march 26, 1992
Page two
I expect that the Committee may delve into this issue
further, and I wanted you to know that I am willing to work
with you and Senator Gore to protect our intelligence
equities while exploring the contributions intelligence data
might make. For the benefit of your staff, my staff contact
on this matter is David Garman on the Senate Intelligence
Committee staff.
I appreciate your assistance in this matter, and I look
forward to hearing your thoughts.
June Sincerely,
Frank H Murkowski
Vice Chairman
APR 01 192 12:00PM
P.2/3
DAVID - BOREN. OKLAHOMA, CHAIRMAN
FRANK M. MURKOWSKI, ALASKA, VICE CHAIRMAN
ERNEST F. HOLLINGS. SOUTH CAROLINA JOHN WARNER, VIRGINIA
BKL BRADLEY. NEW JERSEY
ALPONSE D'AMATO. NEW YORK
ALAN CRANSTON, CALIFORNIA
JOHN c. DANPORTIL MIDDOURI
DENNIS DECONCINE ARIZONA
WARREN RUGMAN. NEW HAMPSHIRE
HOWARD METZENBAUM. OHIO
SLADE GORTON WASHINGTON
JOHN GLENN, OHIO
JOHN H. CHASEL RHODE ISLAND
- ROBENT KENNEY, NEDRASKA
Hnited States Senate
SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE
GEORGE J. MITCHELL MAINE. IX OFFICIO
ROBERT DOLL KANSAS. EX OFFICIO
WASHINGTON, DC 200 10-0475
GEORGE J. TENET. STARF DIRECTOR
JOHN H, MOBEMAN. MINORITY STAFF DIRECTOR
KATHLEEN P. MaGHEE CHIEF CLERK
March 26, 1992
The Honorable Robert M. Gates
Director of Central Intelligence
Central Intelligence Agency
Washington, D.C. 20505
Dear Bob:
Knowing of your discussions with Senator Gore concerning
the contributions cur intelligence assets might make toward as
greater understanding of global environmental change, I
wanted to signal my interest in the issue.
By way of background, my first legislative initiative in
1981 was an Act to increase our national emphasis on Arctic
research. That Act became law in 1985 as the Arctic Research
and Policy Act. One of the things that Act recognized was
the role and importance of the Arctic in understanding global
change, and the need to address environmental protection in
the Arctic through sound scientific research. Indeed, the
Arctic is a natural laboratory for the study of global
change, and scientists tell me that global change will first
appear in the Arctic. so my interest in this issue is not
constituents. new, and it is of immediate and direct interest to my
I would be extremely interested in having your views on
the role the Intelligence Community can and should play in
enhancing our understanding of global change and similar
environmental matters: I would also be interested in your
thoughts on ways to identify the data from national
collection methods that might be useful to environmental
scientists, as well as ways that the useful data could be
sanitized to protect intelligence sources and methods.
One idea that has been proposed is to establish a panel
of environmental scientists, and to clear and brief them on
intelligence collection means that might make a contribution
to our body of knowledge about global climate systems. If
this strikes you as a satisfactory approach, I have some
names of scientists that I'd like to submit for
consideration.
APR 01 '92 12:01PM
P.3/3
The Honorable Robert M. Gates
march 26, 1992
Page two
I expect that the Committee may delve into this issue
further, and I wanted you to know that I am willing to work
with you and Senator Gore to protect our intelligence
equities while exploring the contributions intelligence data
might make. For the benefit of your staff, my staff contact
on this matter is David Garman on the Senate Intelligence
Committee staff.
I appreciate your assistance in this matter, and I look
forward to hearing your thoughts.
Sincerely,
Frank H Murkowski
Vice Chairman
REQUEST FOR APPOINTMENTS
To: Officer in Charge
Appointments Center
Room 060, OEOB
Please admit the following appointments on Wednesday, March 25, 1992,
for Dr. Karl Erb of OSTP.
BERKO, FREDERICK
10/26/43
BOZZAY, JOSEPH
9/30/58
HAMMARSTROM, LEE
2/11/39
HARRIS, JEFFREY
6/28/53
MALINOWSKI, LEONARD
9/11/29
MEEHAN, PATRICK
12/27/45
MEHLBAUM, ALBERT
6/11/46
MIHARA, ROBERT
9/5/40
ROY, RICHARD
1/7/48
ROSEN, MORRIS
10/23/34
SNAPP, MICHAEL
1/16/47
SPENCER, NORMAN
4/7/44
TALBOT, ROY
9/17/41
TOWNSEND, ALEXANDER
4/8/43
WEIRICH, JERRY
12/25/53
ZALL, LINDA
11/15/50
ZELINSKI, GARY
3/3/56
add: CALVELLI, FRANK - - "/11/64
DAUGHERTY, KENNETH- "/20/35
MEETING LOCATION
Building OEOB
Requested by Jo Ann Ward
Room No. 345
Room No. 572 Telephone 7326
Time of Meeting 10 AM
Date of Request March 24, 1992
APPOINTMENTS CENTER: SIG/OEOB - 395-6046 OR WHITE HOUSE - 456-6742
TELEFAX: 395-5349
Withdrawal/Redaction Sheet
(George Bush Library)
Document No.
Subject/Title of Document
Date
Restriction
Class.
and Type
01b. Notes
EOSDIS Briefing (2 pp.)
3/25/92
(b)(1)
Collection:
Record Group:
Bush Presidential Records
Office:
Science and Technology Policy, Office of (OSTP)
Series:
O'Neil, John F., Files
Subseries:
Government Organization Files
WHORM Cat.:
File Location:
NASA - Earth Observing System [1 of 3]
Date Closed:
5/27/2010
OA/ID Number:
62098-003
FOIA/SYS Case #:
2005-0336-F
Appeal Case #:
Re-review Case #:
Appeal Disposition:
P-2/P-5 Review Case #:
Disposition Date:
AR Case #:
MR Case #:
AR Disposition:
MR Disposition:
AR Disposition Date:
MR Disposition Date:
RESTRICTION CODES
Presidential Records Act - [44 U.S.C. 2204(a)]
Freedom of Information Act - [5 U.S.C. 552(b)]
P-1 National Security Classified Information [(a)(1) of the PRA]
(b)(1) National security classified information [(b)(1) of the FOIA]
P-2 Relating to the appointment to Federal office [(a)(2) of the PRA]
(b)(2) Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of an
P-3 Release would violate a Federal statute [(a)(3) of the PRA]
agency [(b)(2) of the FOIA]
P-4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or
(b)(3) Release would violate a Federal statute [(b)(3) of the FOIA]
financial information [(a)(4) of the PRA]
(b)(4) Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial
P-5 Release would disclose confidential advice between the President
information [(b)(4) of the FOIA]
and his advisors, or between such advisors [a)(5) of the PRA]
(b)(6) Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
P-6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy [(b)(6) of the FOIA]
personal privacy [(a)(6) of the PRA]
(b)(7) Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement
purposes [(b)(7) of the FOIA]
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed of
(b)(8) Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of
gift.
financial institutions [(b)(8) of the FOIA]
(b)(9) Release would disclose geological or geophysical information
PRM. Removed as a personal record misfile.
ER 92-0145
ALSERT-GORE JR.
393 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING
TENNERSEE
PHONE 202-224-4944
United States Senate
WASHINGTON, DC 20510-4202
January 7, 1992
The Honorable Robert Gates
Director
Central Intelligence Agency
Washington, DC 20505
Dear Mr. Gates:
Bob
For some time, I- have been pursuing the idea that the
intelligence community has data that would be a unique and important
source of information for use by environmental scientists, assuming
and methods.
that its exchange could be accomplished without ondangering sources
In an effort to explore this concept, I recently chaired a panel
discussion involving a number of leading environmental scientists. Ac
you may be aware, members of the intelligence community were invited
through the good offices of the Senate Intelligence Committee to
attend as non-participating observers.
A summary of that discussion is attached to this letter. It
shows that the potential for something very useful does exist, but
that it cannot be realized without a commitment on all sides to
establish priorities, exercise ingenuity in thinking through ways to
bridge intelligence resources and scientific needs, and find ways to
reconcile the scientists' desire for openness with the intelligence
world's desire for security.
The need for something like this is recognized in Congress. It
is written into law as part of the Strategic Environment Research and
Development Program (SERDP), in the Defense Authorization Bill. It is
in line with calls from the Senate Intelligence Committee for a
broadening of intelligence output. And, if press reports are
accurate, the Administration has recently asked the intelligence
community initiative. for new ideas that could well include an environmental
I'm writing now in hopes of beginning a discussion with you
of scientists selected to be representative of a number of critical
about next steps. One way to proceed would be to create a small panel
fields for environmental research, to clear these persons, to have
them thoroughly briefed, and then to authorize detailed discussions
between them and intelligence specialists.
Members of this panel would be charged with two
responsibilities. One would be to explore the potential for a
substantive exchange of information in their respective fields. in
2/2'd
FEB 04 '92 02:45PM
each field selected for application, scientists would develop a highly
detailed and specific matrix, linking their requirements to one or
more possible outputs of intelligence collection capabilities. The
second task would be collective, rather than unique to a given field--
it would be to work out in close cooperation with the intelligence
community general guidelines to support future efforts in other fields
of environmental science as a continuing venture.
In both cases, it is essential to have the freest possible
exchange between scientists who know exactly what the needs of their
specialties are and intelligence personnel who know with equal
precision what is available and under what conditions any of it can be
released for unclassified applications. Experience gained by all
parties to this process would be incorporated in future efforts.
I recognize that this is no small venture. On the contrary, it
is a considerable undertaking, and one which cannot get underway
without your personal support. In hopes of encouraging you to
consider making a commitment to a procedure such as this, I would very
much welcome--and am now requesting--an opportunity to discuss this
matter with you in person at the earliest mutually convenient time.
We can meet privately, if you would prefer, or with a small group of
experts on both sides.
There is a related matter that I want to raise for discussion
with you. It has been suggested to me that the intelligence
community's experience in the collection and organization of data
could be useful in the effort to design a system capable of handling
the flood of information expected from EOS. As chairman of the Senate
subcommitee charged with overseeing NASA and of drafting its
authorization bill, EOS and its data management system, EOS-DIS, are
matters views. of very direct concern to me. I would like to hear your
My office will be contacting yours in the near future in hopes
of working out a satisfactory arrangement for a meeting. The point of
contact on my staff is Leon Fuerth. Of course, as from the beginning,
I will continue to work very closely with the Senate Intelligence
Committee, whose chairman has been of extremely great help to me at
every step.
Sincerely,
Albert M Gore, Jr.
United States Senator
AG/bww
enclosure
P.3/2
FEB 04 '92 02:45PM
Withdrawal/Redaction Sheet
(George Bush Library)
Document No.
Subject/Title of Document
Date
Restriction
Class.
and Type
01c.
To: Bob Gates From: Allan Bromley
1/3/92
(b)(1)
Memorandum
Re: Intelligence Community Assistance to the EOS (1 pp.)
Collection:
Record Group:
Bush Presidential Records
Office:
Science and Technology Policy, Office of (OSTP)
Series:
O'Neil, John F., Files
Subseries:
Government Organization Files
WHORM Cat.:
File Location:
NASA - Earth Observing System [1 of 3]
Date Closed:
5/27/2010
OA/ID Number:
62098-003
FOIA/SYS Case #:
2005-0336-F
Appeal Case #:
Re-review Case #:
Appeal Disposition:
P-2/P-5 Review Case #:
Disposition Date:
AR Case #:
MR Case #:
AR Disposition:
MR Disposition:
AR Disposition Date:
MR Disposition Date:
RESTRICTION CODES
Presidential Records Act [44 U.S.C. 2204(a)]
Freedom of Information Act [5 U.S.C. 552(b)]
P-1 National Security Classified Information [(a)(1) of the PRA]
(b)(1) National security classified information [(b)(1) of the FOIA]
P-2 Relating to the appointment to Federal office [(a)(2) of the PRA]
(b)(2) Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of an
P-3 Release would violate a Federal statute [(a)(3) of the PRA]
agency [(b)(2) of the FOIA]
P-4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or
(b)(3) Release would violate a Federal statute [(b)(3) of the FOIA]
financial information [(a)(4) of the PRA]
(b)(4) Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial
P-5 Release would disclose confidential advice between the President
information [(b)(4) of the FOIA]
and his advisors, or between such advisors [a)(5) of the PRA]
(b)(6) Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
P-6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy [(b)(6) of the FOIA]
personal privacy [(a)(6) of the PRA]
(b)(7) Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement
purposes [(b)(7) of the FOIA]
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed of
(b)(8) Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of
gift.
financial institutions [(b)(8) of the FOIA]
(b)(9) Release would disclose geological or geophysical information
PRM. Removed as a personal record misfile.
WORKING PAPERS
OSTP BRIEFING OUTLINE
(3/25/92)
TIME
TOPIC
1000-1010
INTRODUCTION (Norm Spencer)
1010-1025
COMMUNICATIONS OVERVIEW (Joe Bozzay)
DISCUSSION (5 MIN.)
1030-1130
PROCESSING, DISSEMINATION, DATA BASES
IMAGERY DATA HANDLING (Gary Zelinski)
DATABASES
RMS: (Gary Zelinski)
NDS: (Al Mehlbaum)
SIGNALS DATA HANDLING (Fred Berko)
DATABASES (Fred Berko)
MASINT DATA HANDLING (Bob Mihara)
DISCUSSION (10 MIN.)
1130-1140
SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT METHODOLOGY (Len Malinowski)
1140-1150
R&D SUMMARY (Lee Hammarstrum)
DISCUSSION (Linda Zall)
WRAP-UP (Morris Rosen)
Rick
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20506
March 30, 1992
MEMORANDUM FOR THE DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE
FROM:
KARL ERB Korit
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR DESIGNATE FOR PHYSICAL
SCIENCES AND ENGINEERING
SUBJECT:
LETTER OF APPRECIATION
Last January, Allan Bromley requested a briefing from the Intelligence Community (IC)
on the challenges they've encountered in their many years of collecting, processing,
disseminating, and archiving large volumes of satellite data. OTSP's interest became more
focussed as we helped develop the terms of reference for a National Research Council study
of NASA's Earth Observing System Data and Information System.
The IC presented their briefing last Wednesday and it was in every respect outstanding.
The topics were of direct relevance to EOSDIS. The briefers were extremely knowledgeable
and professional. Moreover, it was clear from the number of briefers and diversity of
topics that the presentation had involved a great deal of thoughtful organization. Please
express my appreciation to all those involved in the briefings, and in particular to
Linda Zall and Norman Spencer. We look forward to joining the IC on April 10th when
they present the briefing to the NRC panel.
Withdrawal/Redaction Sheet
(George Bush Library)
Document No.
Subject/Title of Document
Date
Restriction
Class.
and Type
01d. Letter
Re: Clearance (1 pp.)
3/13/92
(b)(6)
Collection:
Record Group:
Bush Presidential Records
Office:
Science and Technology Policy, Office of (OSTP)
Series:
O'Neil, John F., Files
Subseries:
Government Organization Files
WHORM Cat.:
File Location:
NASA - Earth Observing System [1 of 3]
Date Closed:
5/27/2010
OA/ID Number:
62098-003
FOIA/SYS Case #:
2005-0336-F
Appeal Case #:
Re-review Case #:
Appeal Disposition:
P-2/P-5 Review Case #:
Disposition Date:
AR Case #:
MR Case #:
AR Disposition:
MR Disposition:
AR Disposition Date:
MR Disposition Date:
RESTRICTION CODES
Presidential Records Act - [44 U.S.C. 2204(a)]
Freedom of Information Act - [5 U.S.C. 552(b)]
P-1 National Security Classified Information [(a)(1) of the PRA]
(b)(1) National security classified information [(b)(1) of the FOIA]
P-2 Relating to the appointment to Federal office [(a)(2) of the PRA]
(b)(2) Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of an
P-3 Release would violate a Federal statute [(a)(3) of the PRA]
agency [(b)(2) of the FOIA]
P-4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or
(b)(3) Release would violate a Federal statute [(b)(3) of the FOIA]
financial information [(a)(4) of the PRA]
(b)(4) Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial
P-5 Release would disclose confidential advice between the President
information [(b)(4) of the FOIA]
and his advisors, or between such advisors [a)(5) of the PRA]
(b)(6) Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
P-6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy [(b)(6) of the FOIA]
personal privacy [(a)(6) of the PRA]
(b)(7) Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement
purposes [(b)(7) of the FOIA]
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed of
(b)(8) Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of
gift.
financial institutions [(b)(8) of the FOIA]
(b)(9) Release would disclose geological or geophysical information
PRM. Removed as a personal record misfile.
Ken Daughests
3/2
Pren-
1) meet w. th Ed to
They're pimshy a deptal production
Clamp OSTP receive B
septem.
enefin first at
3/23 - week of 23ʳᵈ OK.
2
Call DMA person
r give L2 name fee
Dulays 3-4 was as OK,
what gam on -Sw,"
Panel set ind . March for an
caw remew 3 tich
overww/enterin rpt. Final
zahet save art
rpt in august.
him to flest out
Chans suppond on Nigmtsking thatigg
and Kaul - Plan buy
OST at B level
3 part briefy ala bullet
unwite DMAGUS- -
we will sure all deface
r to fether flech and
What NRC receives
if Gales approve
Withdrawal/Redaction Sheet
(George Bush Library)
Document No.
Subject/Title of Document
Date
Restriction
Class.
and Type
01e.
To: Norman Metzger
3/12/92
(b)(3)
Memorandum
Re: Intelligence Community Briefing in Support of EOSDIS
Panel - An Update [50 USC 403g, Sec 6] (1 pp.)
Collection:
Record Group:
Bush Presidential Records
Office:
Science and Technology Policy, Office of (OSTP)
Series:
O'Neil, John F., Files
Subseries:
Government Organization Files
WHORM Cat.:
File Location:
NASA - Earth Observing System [1 of 3]
Date Closed:
5/27/2010
OA/ID Number:
62098-003
FOIA/SYS Case #:
2005-0336-F
Appeal Case #:
Re-review Case #:
Appeal Disposition:
P-2/P-5 Review Case #:
Disposition Date:
AR Case #:
MR Case #:
AR Disposition:
MR Disposition:
AR Disposition Date:
MR Disposition Date:
RESTRICTION CODES
Presidential Records Act - [44 U.S.C. 2204(a)]
Freedom of Information Act - [5 U.S.C. 552(b)]
P-1 National Security Classified Information [(a)(1) of the PRA]
(b)(1) National security classified information [(b)(1) of the FOIA]
P-2 Relating to the appointment to Federal office [(a)(2) of the PRA]
(b)(2) Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of an
P-3 Release would violate a Federal statute [(a)(3) of the PRA]
agency [(b)(2) of the FOIA]
P-4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or
(b)(3) Release would violate a Federal statute [(b)(3) of the FOIA]
financial information [(a)(4) of the PRA]
(b)(4) Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial
P-5 Release would disclose confidential advice between the President
information [(b)(4) of the FOIA]
and his advisors, or between such advisors [a)(5) of the PRA]
(b)(6) Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
P-6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy [(b)(6) of the FOIA]
personal privacy [(a)(6) of the PRA]
(b)(7) Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement
purposes [(b)(7) of the FOIA]
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed of
(b)(8) Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of
gift.
financial institutions [(b)(8) of the FOIA]
(b)(9) Release would disclose geological or geophysical information
PRM. Removed as a personal record misfile.
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20506
March 12, 1992
MEMORANDUM FOR NORMAN METZGER
FROM:
(b)(3)
SUBJECT:
INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY BRIEFING IN SUPPORT OF
EOSDIS PANEL - AN UPDATE
As it currently stands the DCI has given the green light for the
Community to brief OSTP on March 25th. However, he has not yet
approved providing the briefing to the NRC panel. This delay
plus the fact that the Community wanted more time to prepare is
why the March 23rd briefing was postponed. In the interim I've
decided to proceed with the OSTP briefing and include Dr.
Daugherty so that, assuming we get DCI approval, we can focus the
subsequent Panel presentation to best meet their particular
needs. In hopes that we receive a thumbs up from Bob Gates I'd
suggest we schedule the Panel briefing for the 30th as you
recommended. In the meantime please have the NRC SSO send the
clearances of the panelists to OSTP. They should transfer their
Top Secret Codeword clearances to Barbara Ferguson (395-7347).
I will be in Boston all of next week. If you have any questions
please call either Doug Beason (395-3840) or my secretary Jo Ann
Ward (395-3272). The focal point within the Community for this
action is Dr. Linda Zall (703/482-7413). She works directly for
Jim Hirsch.
Bush Library Photocopy
Withdrawal/Redaction Sheet
(George Bush Library)
Document No.
Subject/Title of Document
Date
Restriction
Class.
and Type
01f. Fax
From: Norman Metzger
3/12/92
(b)(3)
Re: IC Briefing [50 USC 403g, Sec 6] (2 pp.)
Collection:
Record Group:
Bush Presidential Records
Office:
Science and Technology Policy, Office of (OSTP)
Series:
O'Neil, John F., Files
Subseries:
Government Organization Files
WHORM Cat.:
File Location:
NASA - Earth Observing System [1 of 3]
Date Closed:
5/27/2010
OA/ID Number:
62098-003
FOIA/SYS Case #:
2005-0336-F
Appeal Case #:
Re-review Case #:
Appeal Disposition:
P-2/P-5 Review Case #:
Disposition Date:
AR Case #:
MR Case #:
AR Disposition:
MR Disposition:
AR Disposition Date:
MR Disposition Date:
RESTRICTION CODES
Presidential Records Act - [44 U.S.C. 2204(a)]
Freedom of Information Act - [5 U.S.C. 552(b)]
P-1 National Security Classified Information [(a)(1) of the PRA]
(b)(1) National security classified information [(b)(1) of the FOIA]
P-2 Relating to the appointment to Federal office [(a)(2) of the PRA]
(b)(2) Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of an
P-3 Release would violate a Federal statute [(a)(3) of the PRA]
agency [(b)(2) of the FOIA]
P-4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or
(b)(3) Release would violate a Federal statute [(b)(3) of the FOIA]
financial information [(a)(4) of the PRA]
(b)(4) Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial
P-5 Release would disclose confidential advice between the President
information [(b)(4) of the FOIA]
and his advisors, or between such advisors [a)(5) of the PRA]
(b)(6) Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
P-6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy [(b)(6) of the FOIA]
personal privacy [(a)(6) of the PRA]
(b)(7) Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement
purposes [(b)(7) of the FOIA]
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed of
(b)(8) Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of
gift.
financial institutions [(b)(8) of the FOIA]
(b)(9) Release would disclose geological or geophysical information
PRM. Removed as a personal record misfile.
NNAS
National Research Council
R
NAE
National Academy of Sciences
National Academy of Engineering
C
IOM
Institute of Medicine
To:
(b)(3)
Date: 3-12-92
From: Norman Metzger at NOTES
Page 1 of 2
Sending Fax number: Use Originator's FAX
Receiving Fax number: 9-395-1572, 62378
Subject: Briefings
This CC: Fax transmission comes to you courtesy of cc:Mail, Inc.
Bush Library Photocopy
3/12/92 10:44AM
From
: Norman Metzger at NOTES
To
:
(b)(3)
Subject : Briefings
Message Contents
(b)(3)
I know the March 23rd briefing is cancelled; and that Ken Daugherty is
scheduled to meet with you on March 25th, to discuss topics for the briefing
you're arranging. The DMA briefing is now scheduled for March 30th, and it
would be very helpful, if the Agency briefing could be arranged for the same
day. At the moment those attending will be Charles Zraket, Ken Daugherty,
myself, and possibly Anuta Jones. John Hopcroft is out.
Norm
P.S. My direct fax number is 202/334-2154.
Bush Library Photocopy
Withdrawal/Redaction Sheet
(George Bush Library)
Document No.
Subject/Title of Document
Date
Restriction
Class.
and Type
01g. Letter
To: Linda
2/24/92
(b)(3)
Re: Briefing [50 USC 403g, Sec 6] (1 pp.)
Collection:
Record Group:
Bush Presidential Records
Office:
Science and Technology Policy, Office of (OSTP)
Series:
O'Neil, John F., Files
Subseries:
Government Organization Files
WHORM Cat.:
File Location:
NASA - Earth Observing System [1 of 3]
Date Closed:
5/27/2010
OA/ID Number:
62098-003
FOIA/SYS Case #:
2005-0336-F
Appeal Case #:
Re-review Case #:
Appeal Disposition:
P-2/P-5 Review Case #:
Disposition Date:
AR Case #:
MR Case #:
AR Disposition:
MR Disposition:
AR Disposition Date:
MR Disposition Date:
RESTRICTION CODES
Presidential Records Act [44 U.S.C. 2204(a)]
Freedom of Information Act - [5 U.S.C. 552(b)]
P-1 National Security Classified Information [(a)(1) of the PRA]
(b)(1) National security classified information [(b)(1) of the FOIA]
P-2 Relating to the appointment to Federal office [(a)(2) of the PRA]
(b)(2) Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of an
P-3 Release would violate a Federal statute [(a)(3) of the PRA]
agency [(b)(2) of the FOIA]
P-4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or
(b)(3) Release would violate a Federal statute [(b)(3) of the FOIA]
financial information [(a)(4) of the PRA]
(b)(4) Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial
P-5 Release would disclose confidential advice between the President
information [(b)(4) of the FOIA]
and his advisors, or between such advisors [a)(5) of the PRA]
(b)(6) Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
P-6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy [(b)(6) of the FOIA]
personal privacy [(a)(6) of the PRA]
(b)(7) Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement
purposes [(b)(7) of the FOIA]
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed of
(b)(8) Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of
gift.
financial institutions [(b)(8) of the FOIA]
(b)(9) Release would disclose geological or geophysical information
PRM. Removed as a personal record misfile.
2/24.
Lunda,
Znachitjunt colled + T. said he if
like to schedule the buyings for
3/23, I've highlig the those on the
Pand hid like to receive the buforg
Broadly stated hid lihi the brupping to
cover Communications, speakally,
lesson's learned an the following
avais:
Space to grnd. Capacity, releabality,
Dissemenation of data from a
commo perspective
Large database systems
multurer access
l gave him your name asan
import. POC. He spoke of Hirsch
as though he knew him very well.
Lets talk soon.
(b)(3)
Hertonal perspecture of how we got to
where we are now w/all the bringes +
detoirs to how we overcame them.
Bush Library Photocopy
Upward competently os the system everbus/mentures.
NASA had Must systems wash.
5/10 minute overvear to mata the
Norman Spencer, DMA
Bush Library Photocopy
Withdrawal/Redaction Sheet
(George Bush Library)
Document No.
Subject/Title of Document
Date
Restriction
Class.
and Type
01h. Fax
From: Norman Metzger
3/2/92
(b)(6)
Re: Clearances (2 pp.)
Collection:
Record Group:
Bush Presidential Records
Office:
Science and Technology Policy, Office of (OSTP)
Series:
O'Neil, John F., Files
Subseries:
Government Organization Files
WHORM Cat.:
File Location:
NASA - Earth Observing System [1 of 3]
Date Closed:
5/27/2010
OA/ID Number:
62098-003
FOIA/SYS Case #:
2005-0336-F
Appeal Case #:
Re-review Case #:
Appeal Disposition:
P-2/P-5 Review Case #:
Disposition Date:
AR Case #:
MR Case #:
AR Disposition:
MR Disposition:
AR Disposition Date:
MR Disposition Date:
RESTRICTION CODES
Presidential Records Act - [44 U.S.C. 2204(a)]
Freedom of Information Act - [5 U.S.C. 552(b)]
P-1 National Security Classified Information [(a)(1) of the PRA]
(b)(1) National security classified information [(b)(1) of the FOIA]
P-2 Relating to the appointment to Federal office [(a)(2) of the PRA]
(b)(2) Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of an
P-3 Release would violate a Federal statute [(a)(3) of the PRA]
agency [(b)(2) of the FOIA]
P-4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or
(b)(3) Release would violate a Federal statute [(b)(3) of the FOIA]
financial information [(a)(4) of the PRA]
(b)(4) Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial
P-5 Release would disclose confidential advice between the President
information [(b)(4) of the FOIA]
and his advisors, or between such advisors [a)(5) of the PRA]
(b)(6) Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
P-6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy [(b)(6) of the FOIA]
personal privacy [(a)(6) of the PRA]
(b)(7) Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement
purposes [(b)(7) of the FOIA]
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed of
(b)(8) Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of
gift.
financial institutions [(b)(8) of the FOIA]
(b)(9) Release would disclose geological or geophysical information
PRM. Removed as a personal record misfile.
03/02/92 11:24
<
002
February 28th 1992
NRC EOSDIS Panel Members and Staff
with Clearance
Kevin Hale/sso
Charles A. Zraket
202/334-2107
Scholar in Residence
3695 (FAX)
The Kennedy School of Government
79 John F. Kennedy Street, Room P-18
Cambridge MA 02138
TS S1,TK
(617) 271-2356 (MITRE)
(617) 495-8132 (Harvard)
FAX: (617) 271-7999 (MITRE)
FAX: (617) 495-8963 (Harvard)
Kenneth Daugherty
Chief Scientist
Defense Mapping Agency
8613 Lee Highway
Fairfax VA 22031
(703) 285-9178
FAX: (703) 285-9374
Anita Jones
Chair, Computer Science Department
University of Virginia
Thornton Hall
Charlottesville VA 22903
(804) 924-7605
FAX: (804) 982-2214
John E. Hopcroft
Department of Computer Science
Cornell University
4130 Upson Hall
Ithaca NY 14853
(607) 255-7416
FAX: (607) 255-4428
Norman Metzger
TS
Executive Director
Commission on Physical Sciences,
Mathematics, and Applications
National Research Council
(202) 334-3061
FAX: (202) 334-2154
Revised 2/11/92
N
NAS
R
NAE
COMMISSION ON PHYSICAL SCIENCES,
C
IOM
MATHEMATICS, AND APPLICATIONS
PANEL TO REVIEW EOSDIS PLANS
Membership List
Chairman
Charles A. Zraket
(Mailing Address for Mitre Corp.)
Scholar in Residence
The Kennedy School of Government
Mitre Corporation
79 John F. Kennedy Street, Room P-18
Burlington Road
Cambridge, MA 02138
Bedford, MA 01730
(617) 271-2356 (MITRE)
(617) 495-8132 (Harvard)
FAX: (617) 271-7999 (MITRE)
FAX: (617) 495-8963 (Harvard)
Members
D. James Baker
Richard E. Hallgren
Joint Oceanographic Inst.
American Meteorological Society
1755 Massachusetts Ave.
45 Beacon Street
Washington, D.C. 20036-2101
Boston, MA 02108
(202) 232-3900
(617) 227-2425
FAX: (202) 232-8203
FAX: (617) 742-8718
Washington D.C. office
-
Kenneth Daugherty (Bridge)
American Meteorological Society
Chief Scientist
1701 K Street, N.W., Suite 300
Defense Mapping Agency
Washington, D.C. 20006
8613 Lee Highway
(202) 466-6070
Fairfax, VA 22031
(703) 285-9178
Mailing Address
FAX: (703) 285-9374
6121 Wayside Drive
Rockville, MD 20852
Wants to imrte 05TP to DMA,
John E. Hopcroft
Ethan J. Schreier
Department of Computer Science
Space Telescope Science Institute
Cornell University
3700 San Martin Drive
4130 Upson Hall
Baltimore, MD 21218
Ithaca, NY 14853
(301) 338-4740
(607) 255-7416
FAX: (301) 338-4767
FAX: (607) 255-4428
?
Gael F. Squibb
Kenneth C. Jezek
Center for Astrophysics
Byrd Polar Research Center
60 Garden Street
125 South Oval Mall
Cambridge, MA 02138
Columbus, Ohio 43210
(617) 495-7061
(614) 292-6531
FAX: (617) 459-7356
FAX: (614) 292-4697
Jeffrey D. Ullman
Anita Jones
Professor of Computer Science
Chair, Computer Science Department
Stanford University
University of Virginia
Stanford, CA 94305
Thornton Hall
(415) 723-1512
Charlottesville, VA 22903
FAX: (415) 725-7411
(804) 924-7605
FAX: (804) 982-2214
Thomas R. Karl
Chief Global Climate Laboratory
National Climatic Data Center
NOAA
Asheville, NC 28801
704/259-0319
Fax: 704/259-0328
Fed Exp Mailing Address:
37 Battery Park Avenue
Federal Building
Asheville, NC 28801
Staff
Norman Metzger
Monica Krueger
Executive Director
Computer Science and Telecommunications
Commission on Physical Sciences,
Board
Mathematics, and Applications
(202) 334-2605
(202) 334-3061
FAX: (202) 334-2791
FAX: (202) 334-2154
Lorraine Wolf
Richard C. Hart
Board on Earth Sciences and Resources
Space Studies Board
(202) 334-3368
(202) 334-3477
FAX: (202) 334-1377
FAX: (202) 334-3701
O:\RHART\EOSIMEMBER.LST
COMMISSION ON PHYSICAL SCIENCES,
N
NAS
MATHEMATICS, AND APPLICATIONS
R
NAE
PANEL TO REVIEW EOSDIS PLANS
C
IOM
February 14 - 15, 1992
Washington D.C.
AGENDA
February 14, 1992 - NAS 250
8:30 am
Continental breakfast
EXECUTIVE SESSION
9:00
Welcome and Introduction
C. Zraket, Chairman
9:15
Discussion of Charge to the Panel
10:00
Potential Sources of Bias
N. Metzger, Executive Director, CPSMA
GENERAL SESSION
11:00
EOS Overview - history, timelines
L. Fisk (NASA, Associate Administrator, Office
of Space Science and Applications)
12:00 noon
LUNCH
1:00 pm
Overview of Global Change Program E. Shea (NOAA, Deputy Director, Office of
Global Programs)
1:30
NASA plans for EOS
S. Tilford (NASA, Director, Earth Science and
Applications Division)
2:00
Questions/Discussion with S. Tilford
2:30
NASA plans for EOSDIS
Scientists' Views of EOSDIS - J. Dozier (EOS Project Scientist)
Background and Systems Overview - T. Taylor (EOSDIS Project Manager)
System Development Approach - -- G. McConaughy (EOSDIS Systems Manager)
Management -- -- T. Taylor
3:30
Questions/Discussion with J. Dozier, et. al.
4:30
Panel discussion
6:00
ADJOURN - Reception - NAS Rotunda
7:00
Panel Dinner - NAS Members Room
February 15, 1992 - NAS 250
8:30 am
Continental breakfast
EXECUTIVE SESSION
9:00
Panel discussion:
Preliminary agreement on key issues
Additional questions for NASA
Additional presentations needed
Agenda for next meeting
12:00 noon
LUNCH
1:00 pm
Panel Discussion (continued)
Formation of subgroups and assignments
Schedule
Other matters
2:30
ADJOURN
ORHARTEOS\EOSDIS1.AGN
NASA Reveals Scaled Back
Plan for Six EOS Spacecraft
JAMES R. ASKER/WASHINGTON
USAF
As-
T
he U.S. has unveiled a slimmed-down
outside science advisers moved toward
ine,
Earth Observing System-six satellites
the camp advocating "smaller, cheaper,
-or
of varying size, with the first ready for
quicker" EOS missions (AW&ST Aug. 19,
launch in June, 1998, half a year earlier
uild
1991, p. 24). Finally, Congress ordered
than previously planned.
ract
the space agency to revamp the program.
D
Under orders to cut projected EOS
Of the 30 scientific instruments once
E
costs through the year 2000 from $17 bil-
planned for the large EOS-A and EOS-B
lion to $11 billion, NASA scuttled or de-
hese
platforms, 17 will fly on the new fleet of
ferred 13 of 30 scientific instruments it
six satellites. Six instruments have been
0.5
A
FORCE
hoped to fly on two massive spacecraft.
peti-
deleted from the EOS program and seven
The new fleet of spacecraft, along with
are "deferred."
Delta
an elaborate system to distribute the envi-
Fisk said two goals of the program
ronmental data they gather, will be fo-
GPS
were "de-emphasized" in paring down
N
cused more directly on the pressing issue
EOS: stratospheric chemistry, because
sat-
A
of global climatic change.
925,
earlier space missions have determined
V
Last week, congressional investigators
the
S
the causes for depletion of Earth's protec-
criticized NASA's strategy for developing
has
T
tive ozone layer; and "solid geophysics,"
ses,
A
that computer system and network, called
because Earth's geology changes so much
R
EOSDIS, for EOS Data and Information
slower than other variables to be studied.
System. EOSDIS alone is slated to cost $3
gine
NASA still hopes to build and fly three
billion. The General Accounting Office
copies each of the six satellites now
with
said NASA's effort to build experimental
for
planned for EOS, itself part of a larger,
versions of the data system's components
international Mission to Planet Earth.
before awarding a contract to build the
That would extend EOS to 2017 and
Del-
system is insufficient.
195
drive costs much higher.
Lennard A. Fisk, the NASA associate
56th
The six satellites in the new plan, their
administrator overseeing EOS, said the
launch date, size and the areas they are to
up-
program has an entirely different philoso-
study are:
Don-
Twelfth Block 2 Navstar/GPS satellite lifts off
phy of "prototyping" from that of the
All
EOS-AM (June, 1998, intermediate-
at Cape Canaveral Feb. 23 to resume the pro-
GAO. When it selects an EOSDIS con-
class, polar-orbiting, sun-synchronous,
gram after problems stalled launches.
tractor this summer, NASA will require
10:30 a. m. equatorial crossing)-charac-
extensive efforts by the winning bidder to
terize terrestrial surface; clouds, aerosols
assure that the system will keep up with
and radiation balance.
changing computer technology and with
EOS-Color (1998, small)-biomass and
environmental scientists' evolving needs.
productivity of the oceans.
Sen. Albert Gore, Jr., (D.-Tenn.), who
EOS-Aero (2000, small)-atmospheric
chairs the Senate science, technology and
aerosols.
space subcommittee, also is concerned
EOS-PM (2000, intermediate, 1:30
iane
led by Aerospatiale produced the Arabsat
about NASA's ability to make the data
rab
p. m. equatorial crossing)-clouds, pre-
1A/B/C sateWites.
system as useful as possible. He urged
ani-
cipitation and radiative balance; terrestri-
Bairi said Arabsat 1C cost $45 million.
NASA officials to draw on U.S. intelli-
al snow and ice; sea surface temperature;
The combined cost to Arabsat was placed
gence community expertise in manipulat-
1B
ocean productivity.
at about $100 million, which includes its
ing massive data bases.
EOS-Alt (2002, medium)-ocean cir-
nd-
launch on Ariane, insurance costs, and its
But Gore said he is pleased with the
culation and ice sheet mass balance.
be
checkout and transfer to the final orbit
space agency's work in making EOS more
EOS-Chem (2002, intermediate)-at-
to
position. "We chose not to insure the to-
manageable. Three scientists who periodi-
mospheric chemicals and their transfor-
er-
tal mission costs because insurance costs
cally review EOS testified that they, too,
mations; ocean surface stress.
are very high," Bairi said. "Our insur-
were generally encouraged by the agen-
end
The intermediate-class spacecraft will
ance coverage is for roughly $50 million."
cy's new scheme.
and
fit within a standard payload shroud for
Ariane V49's third stage achieved orbit-
Congress, the White House Office of
by
General Dynamics Corp.'s Atlas 2AS
al injection with the planned perigee of
Management and Budget and the Nation-
launch vehicle. The U.S. Air Force is
ned
199.8 km. (123.9 mi.) and a 35,956-km.
al Space Council had balked at NASA's
modifying a launch pad to accommodate
(22,292.7-mi.) apogee compared with a
earlier plans for two 50-ft.-long, 15-ton
the rocket at Vandenberg AFB, Calif.
target of 35,959 km. (22,294.6-mi.). Incli-
EOS platforms. They complained that the
However, the biggest EOS satellites will
nation was on target at 7 deg.
program would be too expensive and too
also be built to withstand the more stress-
be
Three brief launch holds occurred dur-
slow to answer the most pressing environ-
E.
ing launch loads of Martin Marietta's Ti-
ing the final countdown.
mental question facing international poli-
tan 4 as a back-up.
out
The third-stage fueling problem and
cy makers: To what extent are humans
1B
The medium spacecraft would fit on
clock synchronization difficulties that
causing global warming? And what, if
has
McDonnell Douglas's Delta 2. The small
caused the holds were resolved, allowing
anything, ought to be done about climatic
satellites will be designed to require a ve-
era-
the liftoff to occur before the end of the
change?
hicle no larger than Orbital Science
am
day's 50-min. launch window.
Last summer, some of NASA's own
Corp.'s Pegasus, Fisk said.
AVIATION WEEK & SPACE TECHNOLOGY/March 2, 1992
61
NASA Response to the NRC Panel to Review EOSDIS
NASA appreciates the work of the National Research Council's Panel
to Review the Earth Observing System Data and Information System
plans. The technical integrity and fast response of the Panel are
a credit to the Academy. NASA is encouraged by the Panel's finding
that the agency can proceed with the procurement process that is
currently underway for the EOSDIS Core System and the general
approval of the architecture that is being pursued for EOSDIS.
Many of the Panel recommendations seem aimed at strengthening,
accelerating, and expanding NASA's plans for EOSDIS so as to better
serve the aims of global change research. Many of the
recommendations address improvements needed in a number of
specific, detailed areas of EOSDIS which NASA can implement in the
coming months. The Panel's praise for the EOSDIS Project Team's
efforts, capabilities, and dedication is welcome acknowledgement of
the agency's efforts.
NASA accepts the recommendations contained in the panel report.
EOSDIS management will implement those within its control and seek
the resources to implement those that require additional funding
and personnel. NASA looks forward to the final report of the Panel
and the opportunity to discuss with the Panel specific approaches
to the implementation of their recommendations.
Several of the recommendations encourage NASA to accelerate its
prototyping and pathfinder activities. EOSDIS management will work
to provide more emphasis to these areas within our overall funding
constraints and will examine the extent to which additional funding
may be required to do more in these areas sooner. The Panel report
certainly encourages NASA to continue with the EOSDIS Core System
procurement. We are proceeding toward selection of the ECS
contractor in June with contract award in December 1992.
NASA will redouble its efforts to work more closely with other US
government agencies, our international partners, and the user
community at large. In particular, we will work to develop means
to interact more fully with the computer science community and to
enable more user interactions with EOSDIS development which go
beyond the role of advising. NASA will revise the Science Data
Plan to identify the specific links to global change research
objectives. NASA agrees that it is essential that the user
community be a partner with the agency in EOSDIS.
NASA will develop a revised structure and staffing plan for the
EOSDIS Project activities at the Goddard Space Flight Center. This
plan will be designed to address four areas:
1. Increasing the amount of management attention given to EOSDIS;
2. Drawing more expertise to the project from other agencies;
3. Increasing the systems engineering team and strengthening its
capabilities; and
4. Placing more management authority at the DAACs where it will
be closer to the user community interface.
NASA will explore with other agencies the ways in which EOSDIS can
better serve to provide leadership in the area of environmental
data management without jeopardizing the on-going activities of
these agencies. Steps are already underway to strengthen ties to
the archives of DOE and NOAA while continuing our strong working
relationship with the USGS. Staff members from several of the NSF
supercomputer centers are now providing oversight advice to our
overall Earth science and applications information system effort
while representatives of NCAR remain involved in the EOSDIS
Advisory Panel. NASA welcomes the encouragement to play more of a
leadership role in data management through EOSDIS.
NASA believes that the overall effect of the Panel's report will be
to strengthen the implementation of EOSDIS and the Global Change
Research Program.
mg w/ DAB re EOSDIS
4/16
Deson Bitter, hemand Frsh, OMB, NSP C
Fash wants to work interested w/ Panel.
Dely 2 months.
DAB-- smport you mut w/Moret Holden.
staw no technology burnerts the system.
NASA meds to broaden storring to the whole community,
the will be mapr
Molder raused e FUSET mJ that muchasess of anyercomputers.
Mentured the Canadian NEC computer sale
DAB appealed to Panel to look at this + Zrahit up agreed
wrt the NASA LOORK plans.
DAB that the IC burgo were autstanding.
How import my the until demenne of Los? DAB: extremas artal!
Daughert important 156to exit its to effect the
evalator fromms sthe as this more from are to the
214303
will
sqah 8md what
time In Anna the throught
within sup plus.
twofth termines trying 8AC
metori the (In) what who
abdah wt of at frand M
regular
M don't Smi
alm though maibura off
dupro hy that with to total others, st belings BAT.
AAAM WH two
term I July bhat that
that dAd Sap morsmil then its
its tomple it the ton for
Nam than
Rick - let me
Know it you need
any more Dout into,
Document Originally
Attached to
Following Page
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20506
April 13, 1992
MEMORANDUM FOR THE FILES
FROM: DOUG BEASON
DS
SUBJECT: EOSDIS INTERIM REPORT
BACKGROUND
0 OSTP received an advance copy of the NRC EOSDIS Review Panel (chaired by Charles
Zraket) Interim report dated 9 Apr 92 (embargoed until 17 April)
o
NRC EOSDIS review panel requested by Adm Truly on 22 Nov 91, OSTP coordinated
OVERVIEW OF PANEL FINDINGS
0
"EOSDIS is essential to the success of EOS"
"If EOSDIS fails, so will the Earth Observing System"
and so may the U.S. Global Change Research Program"
0 In general, the panel does not see any serious risk to EOSDIS due to unavailable or
inadequate technology
0
Supports NASA's schedule for procuring a contractor for the EOSDIS Core System
o But finds major shortcomings in two primary areas in the actual plans for EOSDIS
1) Scale and pace of changes in computer and data management technology over long-
term life of program
Great diversity of users
How EOSDIS will evolve as scientific needs and technology changes
2) Management structure
Large, complicated project over several years, costing several billions
Complex mix of government, contractors and scientific community
0 "NASA must have the ultimate responsibility for implementing EOSDIS"
- "NASA should first ensure proper internal management attention and should use its own
earth and computer science personnel, who can contribute to the successful design of the
system"
- "NASA needs to bring the scientific user community into the project as a partner, rather
than regarding users as simply customers"
- "NASA must accept the leadership role necessary to provide the essential unity among
the user community"
0 The terms of the contract in the Request for Proposal are sufficiently flexible to
accommodate the Panel's recommendations
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
0 "The ability of EOSDIS to serve the broad spectrum of users will be the final measure of
EOSDIS success"
USER INTERACTIONS
0 The report implies problems with NASA's science plan, data sets and interagency links
- "The panel recommends that the Science Data Plan identify the links between global
research objectives and existing and planned data sets"
- "NASA [must] expand its efforts to increase interagency links by assuming an active
leadership role among the agencies in achieving interoperability not only at the level of the
Global Change Directory, but also at the level of providing access to the actual data"
- "NASA [must] develop ways to integrate the efforts of existing data centers and existing
centers of data supported by NSF, DOE, and the USGS with the NOAA/NASA Pathfinder
activities ..."
0 "Long-term archiving of EOS data is an issue that has not been addressed"
EOSDIS ARCHITECTURE
0 NASA must strengthen architecture team
- "NASA [should] produce a clear, concise statement of the design criteria for EOSDIS
that focuses on facilitating global change research and that NASA communicate these
criteria throughout the Project hierarchy."
- "A technical project of the magnitude and complexity of EOSDIS should have the very
best system architecture team possible. NASA should make every effort to acquire such
talent."
EOSDIS MANAGEMENT
0 "EOSDIS lacks the attention of senior management at the Goddard Space Flight Center"
"EOS and EOSDIS are treated like ordinary projects within the Goddard Center"
The Project Manager is 2 management levels down within the Flight Operations
Directorate (one of 10 Directorates at the Center)
"Recommends that the EOSDIS Project Manager have a higher management
visibility within Goddard Space Flight Center"
"The Project could augment its staff with experienced personnel from other parts
of the government in addition to NASA"
0 NASA is not sufficiently involving its own earth and computer scientists
- "The panel recommends that NASA involve Goddard Space Flight Center earth scientists
to a greater degree in the management and operations of EOSDIS and also involve
computer scientists both inside and outside of NASA to explore research and technology in
those areas where EOSDIS will stress the state of the art in science and technology and
where EOSDIS will evolve most rapidly"
CONCLUSION
The Panel believes its recommendations will not affect EOSDIS schedule
FOR DISCUSSION
What should the panel concentrate on now?
Approximately 4 to 5 months are left before the final report is due
NAS
NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
2101 CONSTITUTION AVENUE WASHINGTON, D.C. 20418
OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN
April 9, 1992
Mr. Daniel S. Goldin
Administrator
National Aeronautics and
Space Administration
400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 7137
Washington DC 20546
Dear Administrator Goldin:
Enclosed is an interim report by the National Research Council on NASA's plans
for EOSDIS as well as a transmittal letter from the Chair of the Panel that prepared this
report. As you know, EOSDIS is a very complex program, and the demands on the Panel
that prepared this interim report were extraordinary-in understanding the program, in
coping with a demanding schedule, and in reaching judgements. At the same time, my
colleagues and I appreciate the importance of EOSDIS. To quote from the attached
report: "If EOSDIS fails, so will EOS, and so may the U.S. Global Change Research
Program."
It was against such an understanding that the National Research Council accepted
this task, believing that we are obliged to assist the government, even when the time is
short, the amount of information to be marshalled great, and the imperative to provide
judgements urgent.
I believe the Panel that prepared this report has done an exceptional job, ably
assisted by the people of NASA. At the same time, the judgements as well as the limits
of this interim report should be clear. While the Panel supports the schedule for
procuring a contractor for the EOSDIS Core System, it finds major shortcomings in the
actual plans for EOSDIS, and provides substantial recommendations for implementing the
program that the Panel believes will help ensure its success. Therefore, this report
cannot be construed as an endorsement of NASA's current plans for EOSDIS, but rather a
substantial critique of flaws, which, if addressed, will in the Panel's judgement help ensure
a strong and responsive program over the long term. The Panel believes that the terms
of the contract as stated in the Request for Proposal are sufficiently flexible to
accommodate its recommendations.
The limits of the report should also be plain. It is an interim report, provided in
response to requests from NASA and other interested parties for an early alert as to the
THE NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL IS THE PRINCIPAL OPERATING AGENCY OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES AND THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF ENGINEERING
TO SERVE COVERNMENT AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.
Panel's views of EOSDIS plans. The Panel's final report this August will offer detailed
analyses for these interim judgements, and will also respond directly to the specific issues
as posed in the Terms of Reference for this task.
I look forward to your comments on this interim report. And the Panel looks
forward to a discussion with NASA officials involved in EOSDIS planning on this report
and any further issues to be considered in preparing the final report. We are arranging
for your colleagues at NASA with responsibility for the EOSDIS Project to be briefed by
the Panel next week, and intend to release it publicly on April 17th.
Yours sincerely,
TroulePress
Frank Press
Chairman
cc: L. Fisk, J. Alexander, S. Tilford, D. Butler-NASA
A. Bromley, K. Erb-Office of Science and Technology Policy
J. Hezir, J. Fellows-Office of Management and Budget
S. Harrison-National Space Council
R. Corell-National Science Foundation
Congressman George Brown, R. Byerly, P. Cunniffe-House of Representatives
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
Senator Albert Gore, S. Palmer-Senate Subcommitee on Science, Technology,
and Space
NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
COMMISSION ON PHYSICAL SCIENCES, MATHEMATICS, AND APPLICATIONS
2101 Constitution Avenue Washington, D.C. 20418-0001
Telephone: (202) 334-3061
Fax: (202) 334-2154
BITNET: (CPSMA@NAS)
April 9, 1992
Mr. Daniel S. Goldin
Administrator
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Room 7137
Washington DC 20546
Dear Administrator Goldin:
I am pleased to submit the interim report of the National Research Council's Panel to Review Earth
Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) Plans. This contains the panel's
preliminary observations and recommendations on the current plans for EOSDIS, based on the
information provided. The panel looks forward to an early opportunity to discuss these
recommendations with NASA and other interested parties, as well as to issuing its final report in
August 1992.
On behalf of the panel, I wish to thank all of those at NASA who responded quickly and
professionally to our very substantial requests for information and to our many and often difficult
questions. We could not have done our work without their full and ready cooperation.
I also wish to express our gratitude for the splendid cooperation from the staff of the National
Research Council that enabled the panel's work on this interim report to be completed in less than
two months.
Sincerely,
Charles a Zraket/or
Charles A. Zraket, Chair
Panel to Review EOSDIS Plans
National Research Council
The National Research Council is the principal operating agency of the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering
to serve government and other organizations
Panel to Review EOSDIS Plans
1
National Research Council
Panel to Review EOSDIS Plans
Interim Report
This interim report identifies several issues regarding NASA's plans for developing the Earth
Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) and offers a number of
recommendations that NASA should consider as it proceeds with procuring a contractor to
build the system. This report does not respond in detail to the items in the terms of
reference--that will be the subject of the panel's final report. Given the short time available
for the panel's initial assessment, it has not been able to pursue the issues it identified to the
depth it would like. The panel hopes, nevertheless, that NASA will find its interim
conclusions and recommendations useful in the negotiations that will take place with the
selected contractor to define the ongoing work plans for the EOSDIS Project.
The appendices of this report include NASA's letter of request for this study, the terms of
reference for the task, a list of the members of the panel and brief biographies, the work
done and the meetings held to enable the panel to write this interim report, a brief
description of EOSDIS for readers not familiar with the Project, and a brief description of
the U.S. Global Change Research Program and its objectives.
The panel was selected to have the competencies demanded by its charge--in understanding
the needs of those who will use EOSDIS (including both EOS and non-EOS investigators),
in the computer science and technology underlying EOSDIS, in the creation and
implementation of large data systems, and in the recent history of large space-based data
systems. The fact that the procurement for the EOSDIS Core System was concurrent with
the panel's work required extreme care to avoid either the reality or perception of conflict
of interest. Thus, in addition to following the National Research Council's standard
procedures for dealing with bias and conflict of interest, the panel--and those who provided
it information and briefings--took pains to consider only publicly available information. The
panel, to the best of its knowledge, has not been provided with nor has it considered any
proprietary information related to the procurement.
Panel to Review EOSDIS Plans
2
OBJECTIVES AND MAJOR FINDINGS
In combination with other programs of the U.S. Global Change Research Program, the
Earth Observing System (EOS) is intended to reduce the current uncertainties about global
climate change. Its Data and Information System (EOSDIS) is essential to the success of
EOS. If EOSDIS fails, so will the Earth Observing System and so may the U.S. Global
Change Research Program. The panel has been told repeatedly by responsible government
officials that EOS is critical to the larger, global change program--one involving many
agencies of government, and other national and international participants--and that EOSDIS
offers a unique opportunity to begin building a national, and eventually, international,
information system for global change research.
To achieve these aspirations, EOSDIS will have to evolve to meet the changing needs of
global change research over the next two decades and beyond. The panel believes that the
recommendations offered in this report are necessary to ensure that growth and evolution.
Specifically, the panel offers its judgments in terms of the following objectives it believes
essential to the success of EOSDIS:
EOSDIS must facilitate the integration of data related to the aims of the U.S.
Global Change Research Program. Without this integration, the
multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research objectives of the U.S. Global
Change Research Program will not be achieved. The EOSDIS program must
be structured and managed to facilitate interactions with the other agencies
involved in the U.S. Global Change Research Program so that existing data
and future data collected by NASA and by other national and international
organizations--using research and operational satellites as well as in situ
sources --are available to all global change research scientists.
EOSDIS must serve a large and broad set of users to facilitate the aims of the
U.S. Global Change Research Program in supporting a community concerned
with understanding the earth as a system. To serve that larger community,
EOSDIS must provide its information in a manner that is simple, transparent,
Panel to Review EOSDIS Plans
3
and inexpensive; it also must assure availability of its data to both the earth
science community and the larger scientific community.
EOSDIS must ensure that service to current users--including those involved
with Version 0--will not be interrupted as the development of the system
proceeds, and that Version 1 and subsequent versions will be implemented as
soon as possible to meet the needs of the users, both in the EOS program and
in the larger U.S. Global Change Research Program.
EOSDIS, as it evolves, must maintain the flexibility to build rapidly on
relevant advances in computer science and technology, including those in
databases, scalable mass storage, software engineering, and networks. Doing
so means that EOSDIS should not only take advantage of new developments,
but also should become a force for change in the underlying science and
technology where its own needs will promote state-of-the-art developments.
Flexibility also requires organizational and management structures and
processes that can respond to evolving requirements and implement the means
for meeting them.
EOSDIS needs substantive user participation in the design and development
of the system, including involvement in the decisions on data acquisition and
archiving, standard or ad hoc product generation, and interfaces that directly
affect science users.
The structure of the EOSDIS management organization and the attention it
gives to the project should reflect the importance of the program in terms of
its role as one of the major and most costly programs NASA has ever
undertaken as well as its central role in the U.S. Global Change Research
Program.
The EOS program was recently restructured from a mission consisting of two large, orbiting
platforms containing a total of 30 instruments to a series of six smaller spacecraft containing
a total of 20 instruments. The amount of data expected to be collected from EOS, however,
has decreased only slightly: from 330 gigabytes/day to 240 gigabytes/day. The estimate for
the total amount of processed data (from the EOS spacecraft and the other missions and
instruments that will be flown) that will be managed by EOSDIS changed from 1300
gigabytes/day to about 1100 gigabytes/day, a reduction of only 15 percent. Furthermore, the
Panel to Review EOSDIS Plans
4
capabilities of the-EOSDIS System are tied to the existence of the seven Distributed Active
Archive Centers (DAACs) and the data they contain, more than to the flight rates. Although
the panel will certainly examine this issue further for the final report, it appears that the
recent restructuring of the EOS flight program has had little effect on the requirements for
EOSDIS and thus does not affect the preliminary conclusions of this interim report.
In general, the panel does not see any serious risk. to the EOSDIS program due to
unavailable or inadequate technology. The panel believes that the prototyping plans of the
EOSDIS Project Office, to be implemented after the contractor is selected, should be
accelerated in order to assure that Version 1 is completed in accord with design objectives.
There are risks, however, in two aspects of the planning for EOSDIS. One area of risk
derives from the scale and pace of changes in computer and data management technology
that can be expected over the long-term life of the program, and from the great diversity of
users who must interface with EOSDIS. NASA needs to focus immediate attention on
planning how EOSDIS will evolve to continue to be a useful system as the scientific needs
and the technology change over time.
Another area of risk concerns the management structure of EOSDIS. EOSDIS is an
exceptionally large and complicated project that will cost several billion dollars, involve
thousands of people, and continue for many years. The management will involve a complex
mix of government, contractors, and a scientific community that is diverse and spread
around the world. Each has an important role to play, and each will interact in a variety
of ways with the other elements. In its recommendations in this interim report the panel has
attempted to provide a number of mechanisms and approaches that it believes will help
define these roles and interactions.
NASA, of course, must have the ultimate responsibility for implementing EOSDIS. To do
so effectively, however, NASA should first ensure proper internal management attention and
should use its own earth and computer science personnel, who can contribute significantly
to the successful design of the system. Secondly, NASA needs to bring the scientific user
community into the project as a partner, rather than regarding users simply as customers.
Finally, NASA must accept the leadership role necessary to provide the essential unity
among the user community (including other federal agencies and international participants),
DAAC elements (management and scientific), and contractors: The complexity of this
project demands that a structure be developed to ensure that all interests are properly
integrated into the design of EOSDIS.
Panel to Review EOSDIS Plans
5
The panel believes that NASA can proceed prudently with the procurement process for
EOSDIS, provided the agency builds in the flexibility to make the adjustments necessary to
ensure the success of the project. The conclusions and recommendations offered in this
interim report can help NASA to incorporate that flexibility into work plans during the
contract negotiations that will soon take place. This flexibility could be accommodated
within the scope of the current procurement as long as it is planned ahead of final contract
negotiations and the contract terms are compatible with this approach. The panel believes
that its recommendations should not materially affect the EOSDIS schedule and that they
can be implemented in work plans resulting from the pending contract negotiations. It is
important to all users that EOSDIS implementation proceed as closely as possible to the
planned schedule.
The panel has divided its assessment into three parts: user interactions, EOSDIS
architecture, and EOSDIS management. The recommendations for each area offer actions
that NASA should consider in order to meet the objectives for EOSDIS described above
without halting the current procurement. The panel also recognizes that requirements may
change over time and that NASA may have to adjust its work plans over the life of the
project.
In order to be of service to NASA during this important stage of negotiating with the
selected contractor, the panel believes that it is necessary to provide this advice now, in this
interim report. The final report will expand on the issues discussed in this interim report and
will respond in detail to the terms of reference.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The following are the panel's judgments concerning the user interaction, architecture, and
management issues that it believes must be addressed if EOSDIS is to meet the objectives
integral to its success. In each instance, the panel points to strengths and weaknesses in the
program, and offers recommendations.
USER INTERACTIONS
Strengths
Panel to Review EOSDIS Plans
6
NASA has stated its intention to incorporate user feedback throughout EOSDIS
development and evolution. The panel applauds this approach. The ability of EOSDIS to
serve the broad spectrum of users will be the final measure of EOSDIS success. In this
context, it should be acknowledged that NASA has led other agencies in developing the
Global Change Master Directory, which will be a comprehensive description of all global
change data sets. The panel also commends NASA for its plan to share software code and
toolkits with users who wish to import them for their own systems.
Panel Concerns
In its review, the panel has identified several areas in which an augmentation or
strengthening of critical user interactions could substantially improve the likelihood for
success of the EOSDIS program. Areas of concern are NASA's Science Data Plan, links
with other agencies, use of Pathfinder data sets, treatment of operational and historical data,
long-term archiving, involvement of nontraditional communities, and ability to provide
customized data sets.
Science Data Plan. Version 0 science data requirements are being compiled into a Science
Data Plan by the EOSDIS Project through regular interactions with the user community.
The intent is to solicit regular review of these requirements from the science community to
make certain that evolving needs are adequately reflected in the EOSDIS Project planning.
Care must be taken to ensure that the Science Data Plan continues to emphasize the links
between global change research objectives and the acquisition of individual data sets. A
clearer picture of base-level requirements can be achieved by a continuing assessment of
science objectives, existing holdings that might meet the objectives, and requirements for
future data streams.
The panel recommends that the Science Data Plan identify the links between
global change research objectives and existing and planned data sets.
Interagency Links. The research priorities of the U.S. Global Change Research Program
cut across the missions of individual federal agencies. The distribution of current holdings
as well as data to be acquired underscores the need for interagency interoperability and
cooperation. NASA has been an active participant in interagency efforts for the U.S. Global
Change Research Program through a variety of working groups, and is currently a full
partner in developing a tri-agency (NASA, NOAA, USGS) data and information
Panel to Review EOSDIS Plans
7
implementation plan, of which EOSDIS is a critical component. The panel endorses the
efforts of these agencies to work cooperatively.
The Global Change Master Directory is an excellent first step in helping users to identify
relevant data sets for global change research. A similar effort is needed in achieving
interoperability for access to the data. Success will require both technical developments and
leadership in order to integrate and provide broad access to disparate data types currently
distributed throughout the agencies. The panel believes that NASA is the logical agency to
initiate this step in the context of EOSDIS. Moreover, EOSDIS will be much more effective
in broadening its user base if it serves as the vehicle for integrating data.
The panel recommends that NASA expand its efforts to increase interagency
links by assuming an active leadership role among the agencies in achieving
interoperability not only at the level of the Global Change Master Directory,
but also at the level of providing access to the actual data.
Pathfinder Data Sets. Prototyping has been a routine component of EOSDIS planning
and Version 0 implementation by the Project Office. NASA has been successful in
establishing prototype earth science data systems that are currently acquiring, processing,
distributing, and archiving pre-EOS data. Lessons from such prototyping activities can
identify problems associated with the manipulation and distribution of extremely large data
sets.
Pathfinder data sets provide an early means to evaluate the handling of large data sets, the
development of products, and the distribution of data and products. NASA and NOAA are
cooperating in a Pathfinder data program for selected satellite data. This program will be
extremely valuable to the U.S. Global Change Research Program and to the prototyping of
various functions of the overall data and information system.
The panel recommends that NASA develop ways to integrate the efforts of
existing data centers and centers of data supported by NSF, DOE, and USGS
with the NOAA/NASA Pathfinder activities. Further, the Pathfinder data
program now under way should be accelerated.
Operational and Historical Data. Data from past and currently operating satellites
already are being provided to several DAACs. NASA has shown considerable foresight in
recognizing the importance of data streams from NASA, NOAA, DOD, and foreign
Panel to Review EOSDIS Plans
8
satellites in establishing long-term data sets for global change research. Although the
EOSDIS Request for Proposal addresses data management of NASA's EOS platform
instruments as well as NASA's commitment to maintaining data sets acquired by pre-EOS
sensors, the panel wishes to emphasize the need for the accessibility of non-EOS instrument
data streams to EOSDIS users.
The panel believes that the full benefit of EOSDIS to the U.S. Global Change Research
Program will not be realized until an effort similar to that for EOS data is undertaken to
manage the immense collection of historical data related to global change research already
collected through operational observing systems. This collection includes the routine data
from the space-based and surface-based observing systems of NOAA and DOD, as well as
the routine and special data collected by USGS, USDA, EPA, DOE, NSF, and the Census
Bureau. Integration, interpretation, and synthesis of such data, as part of a modern data
and information system for long-term operational measurement, are critical to the goals of
the U.S. Global Change Research Program and the interpretation of EOS measurements.
The panel recommends several ways to address the issue of integrating the
operational and research data from other agencies into EOSDIS:
a.
NASA should articulate a plan for incorporating operational and non-
EOS instrument data streams into EOSDIS. Where EOS and non-EOS
instruments have similar functions, NASA should develop a strategy to
enhance the use of both data streams. This strategy should also include
consideration of cross-calibration between basic radiometric data and
higher-level products of an EOS instrument with a non-EOS instrument.
b.
To test the interoperability of EOSDIS and to integrate the critical long-
term operational data that now exist at Affiliated Data Centers into a
global change data and information system, NASA should perform a
full-function test of the EOSDIS architecture and software on some of
the Affiliated Data Centers, in particular, centers with holdings (such as
long-term satellite or in situ data records) critical to the U.S. Global
Change Research Program and to the synthesis and interpretation of
data from EOS instruments.
Panel to Review EOSDIS Plans
9
C.
NASA should articulate its policy on how Affiliated Data Centers will
move up through the different levels of interoperability that are specified
for linkage with EOSDIS.
Long-Term Archiving. Long-term archiving of EOS data is an issue that has not been
addressed. Long-term commitment to maintaining data collected as part of EOSDIS is a
critical component of the U.S. Global Change Research Program. NASA, in its response
to questions from the panel, correctly pointed out that the issue of maintaining long-term
archives is one that must be addressed by all participating federal agencies. Without a
concrete plan and agency coordination for establishing permanent data archives, however,
the overall objectives of EOS, and, therefore, of the U.S. Global Change Research Program,
are jeopardized. As in the case of increasing interagency links, the panel believes that NASA
can provide the leadership in addressing this need.
The panel recommends that NASA develop an adequate plan and technology
for long-term data archiving in conjunction with the other federal agencies
participating in the U.S. Global Change Research Program.
Involvement of Nontraditional Communities. NASA has identified ways for broadening
the user community and providing information about EOSDIS to those unfamiliar with the
system through professional journals and newsletters. Such publications may be adequate
for reaching users in certain disciplines but may be ineffective for those in other fields,
particularly in the nonphysical sciences. For example, one of the science priorities identified
in the U.S. Global Change Research Program is to assess the human dimensions of global
change. A detailed plan for involving potential user communities beyond the traditional
disciplines associated with the earth and environmental sciences has not been clearly
delineated for the panel.
Many approaches could be taken to encourage users from nontraditional communities (e.g.,
legal, educational, political, and social). A useful approach could include the distribution
of sample products that would allow users to become familiar with the various types of data
sets available and to judge whether those data would be helpful to their research.
The panel recommends that NASA take an active role in facilitating access to
EOSDIS by other, nontraditional disciplines through a program that includes
representatives from those disciplines in NASA's user advisory groups and
develops products useful to them.
$
Panel to Review EOSDIS Plans
10
Customized Data Sets. NASA clearly recognizes the importance of involving the user
community in the development of EOSDIS. An approach to encourage active user
participation is to provide customized data integration and synthesis of various products.
The availability of software tools that conform to standards in an open architecture
environment would facilitate participation by active users. For example, these tools might
enable a user to assemble a customized set of specific time- and/or space-averaged data that
could not otherwise be assembled without the user having to develop new software.
The panel recommends that NASA encourage broad user participation by
providing greater opportunities to create customized data sets.
EOSDIS ARCHITECTURE
Strengths
The panel in its several lengthy discussions with EOSDIS technical staff was impressed by
the staff's competence and motivation. The staff has devised a process for designing the
EOSDIS Core System that would rely on open systems, including multiple levels of
interoperability for both users and the DAACs as well as the ability to handle evolving
international standards. These two approaches--use of an open system and adoption of
standards even though they will change over the lifetime of EOSDIS--will strengthen the
program.
The Project plans to deliver EOSDIS in incremental stages (via Versions 1 to 6 and Data
Product Levels 0 to 6) that are expected to provide the flexibility necessary to meet user
needs, to respond to budget uncertainties over the next decade, and to adjust to EOS flight
schedules.
Panel Concerns
Design Control. Any large software system requires design criteria that are set by project
management and articulated clearly and precisely throughout the project hierarchy. This is
particularly true for EOSDIS because of four reasons: (1) the unprecedented size of the
Panel to Review EOSDIS Plans
11
system's storage and processing capacity; (2) the extraordinary heterogeneity of both user
computation systems and user requirements; (3) the large variation in scale of both the mass
stores and the granules of data to be simultaneously managed; and (4) the high degree of
evolution expected in the system. The combination of these factors will make the design,
implementation, and evolutionary control of the system a substantial architectural challenge.
Although NASA has assured the panel that EOSDIS will serve the needs of global change
researchers, the EOSDIS Core System Statement of Work and the Functional and
Performance Requirements documents of the Request for Proposal seem to be based on the
management of data holdings resident with or owned by NASA or the DAACs and the
created data products related to those holdings. It is entirely likely that data and/or data
archives that are not within the exclusive purview of NASA or the DAACs will need to be
made accessible to users through EOSDIS, without changing ownership of the data or the
autonomy of the data repository. In anticipation of the need for accessibility, EOSDIS
software should be built in the form of modular components with open,
configuration-controlled interfaces so that other national and international agencies will be
able to link with the system and provide products and services to the broader global change
research community.
The panel believes that responsibility for the design criteria and for their enforcement to
guide the system architecture must reside with the government. The government must assure
that the contractor's detailed architecture and implementation decisions follow the directions
given by the government system architects.
The panel recommends that NASA produce a clear, concise statement of the
design criteria for EOSDIS that focuses on facilitating global change research
and that NASA communicate these criteria throughout the Project hierarchy.
The panel recommends that NASA strengthen its internal system architecture
team by acquiring additional experienced people and that it give them the
responsibility, authority, and budget to ensure that the design criteria are met
as the system design and implementation proceed. A technical project of the
magnitude and complexity of EOSDIS should have the very best system
architecture team possible. NASA should make every effort to acquire such
talent.
Panel to Review EOSDIS Plans
12
Logically Distributed System. The research that will be possible through the resources
provided by EOSDIS is difficult to characterize at present. Some research will focus on
narrow disciplinary questions, while other work will be interdisciplinary. Since we cannot,
indeed should not, attempt to specify the future directions that earth science research will
take, EOSDIS must be flexible enough to respond to a wide variety of approaches.
Furthermore, EOSDIS will be only a part, albeit a major one, of the efforts directed at
managing data and information for global change research.
The EOSDIS development plan provides for centralized control over the specification and
implementation of the system. Each DAAC will implement an Information Management
System that will be centrally developed by a single contractor. Although a centralized system
is desirable for the management, operation, and control of the satellite and its instruments,
the data will be distributed and dispersed among geographically separate and discipline-
specific DAACs. Achieving the proper balance between the common elements that should
be developed centrally and those that should be developed in a distributed fashion is critical
to the success of the overall U.S. Global Change Research Program. At present, it appears
as though the EOSDIS development plan is too heavily oriented toward a centralized
approach.
The panel recommends that the EOSDIS Project adapt its development plan to
ensure a more logically distributed system, including:
a.
Designing EOSDIS so that all users (EOS and non-EOS investigators,
DAACs, other data centers) can easily build selectively on top of
EOSDIS components. EOSDIS should not constrain local
implementation of diverse functions by users and DAACs. The
development plan should reflect a philosophy that it is "easy to interact
with EOSDIS" with minimum loss of autonomy. EOSDIS must be able
to tolerate different versions of functionality and partial sharing of the
components and toolkits it exports.
b.
Identifying those areas of interdisciplinary research that will require
special interfaces among discipline-specific products and formats. The
Project should specify the interfaces, build prototypes, and run
simulations to exercise them, permitting users to evaluate them prior to
developing final specifications and proceeding to full implementation.
A contractor team that resides at each DAAC and works closely with the
Panel to Review EOSDIS Plans
13
DAAC as well as the contractor's "central core" team should facilitate
the development of these prototypes.
This type of distributed development can be accomplished within the scope of the current
procurement as long as it is planned ahead of final contract negotiation, and contract
terms are compatible with this approach.
Incremental Prototyping. The current EOSDIS development plan closely ties the
availability of the distributed archive and product generation functions to the EOS flight
schedule. There is much work that should be done, however, prior to the first scheduled
launch of EOS instruments in 1998 to strengthen prototyping efforts already under way.
For example, there are both existing archives and data expected from pre-EOS satellites that
will be invaluable to the U.S. Global Change Research Program. Although the EOSDIS
Project team has initiated the early prototyping effort for Version 0, more can and should
be done to benefit current global change research and to enhance user feedback for final
system design.
The panel recommends that EOSDIS Project management extend its
incremental development plan so that all user interfaces, all toolkits, and the
end-to-end network system are:
a.
Specified in detail early in the development of Version 1 and prototyped
or simulated sufficiently, and
b.
Evaluated in depth by users and DAACs prior to full implementation in
Version 1. This will require a system network simulation and sufficient
testing tools for users to assess and validate the specified functionality.
Usability Evaluation. Prudent practice in the design of complex data management systems
ordinarily includes a means of measuring the usability of the data. To the extent possible,
such measures should be quantitative. Early evaluation exercises should be designed to
measure ease of use, quality of interface specifications, and convenience of interoperability
of heterogeneous system components. These exercises should ensure that individual users
and data archivers can acquire piecemeal both functional capabilities and data sets. It is
also prudent practice to involve independent judgment by having this evaluation performed
by a group other than those responsible for developing the system.
Panel to Review EOSDIS Plans
14
The panel recommends a usability evaluation program starting as soon as
possible that involves:
Selecting key functions, interfaces, and system behavior attributes for
evaluation;
Defining a set of metrics and expected values of those metrics for each
parameter to be evaluated;
Creating prototypes, simulations, and test suites to stress aspects of
usability;
Using the evaluations to guide final specification of system
components; and
Implementing this program so that most of the evaluation and
validation is done by groups other than the prime contractor.
EOSDIS MANAGEMENT
Strengths
NASA is to be commended for developing the plans for EOS as its flagship for U.S.
participation in global climate change research. NASA and the EOS Project are further to
be commended for their dedication to producing an adequate data system for EOS and for
its user community. The unprecedented level of funding allocated for EOSDIS and the high
level of planned contingency funding are evidence of the commitment NASA has made to
this important national research effort. The panel is impressed with the degree of dedication
and commitment of the EOSDIS Project team. The team is working diligently and
competently toward both prototyping key system and subsystem capabilities and planning
for the procurement of the full EOSDIS system.
Panel to Review EOSDIS Plans
15
Panel Concerns
Visibility and Management Attention. Although EOSDIS appears to receive substantial
attention from management at NASA Headquarters, in the panel's view, EOSDIS lacks the
attention of senior management at the Goddard Space Flight Center. The EOS Project is
the largest single development effort the Goddard Center has undertaken. Even without the
flight hardware components, EOSDIS by itself probably satisfies that description. EOSDIS
is an extremely complex interdisciplinary science project and must integrate the most
advanced data and system technologies. EOSDIS also contains both the flight operations
segment and the ground data system. The fact that schedules overlap and that the prime
contractor probably will use different groups of personnel to implement these two very
different elements will amplify the government's oversight and management challenge. Yet
the panel has heard substantial evidence that from the management standpoint, EOS and
EOSDIS are treated like ordinary projects within the Goddard Center. For example, the
Project Manager for EOSDIS is two management levels down within the Flight Operations
Directorate, which is only one of ten directorates at the Goddard Center. In addition, the
Project Office is quite small for the task at hand, with plans for only 45 government
employees when fully staffed. This small core of dedicated staff provides inadequate
programmatic and managerial depth and expertise in the development of large, distributed
data systems and in computer science and technology.
Given the preeminent position of EOS and EOSDIS in the U.S. Global Change Research
Program, the panel believes that it is essential to increase the level of management visibility
of the Project and the size and skills of the Project staff. In addition to learning from other
government agencies that have had experience in the development and operation of large
distributed data handling systems, NASA could, as needed, add to the Project experienced
systems development personnel from other parts of the government.
The panel suggests that greater flexibility in defining success criteria and in using the process
for setting award fees for direct feedback from the Project Manager to senior-level
contractor management would help to assure that the contractor will do an outstanding job
on EOSDIS. The panel commends NASA for including users in its performance board for
contract evaluation and urges the active participation of users in setting award fees.
The panel recommends that the EOSDIS Project Manager have higher
management visibility within Goddard Space Flight Center. The staff
authorizations and skills should be sized to the scope and complexity of the
Panel to Review EOSDIS Plans
16
Project. Further, the Project could augment its staff with experienced
personnel from other parts of the government in addition to NASA.
The panel recommends that the EOSDIS Project use the award fee process to
best advantage through greater differentiation of success and failure criteria for
evaluating contractor performance and by involving users in determining award
fees.
Scientific Involvement at Goddard Space Flight Center. The Goddard Center's in-house
earth scientists have a very limited role in the management and operations aspects of the
EOSDIS Project. Although NASA has established a variety of science advisory and data
working groups, such groups cannot replace the continuing and even daily involvement of
the external scientific community and the Goddard Center staff to ensure that the eventual
system is responsive to user needs.
Likewise, the nation's computer science community currently has very limited involvement
in the Project, despite the fact that EOSDIS, to be successful, must implement the latest
advances in scientific data management technology and, in some cases, stimulate the
development of new technologies. The development of EOSDIS would benefit from
substantive use of expertise in systems design and exploitation of information processing
technology. Because underlying technologies, such as storage density, processor speeds, and
transmission rates, are doubling roughly every three years, EOSDIS must be able to exploit
rapidly expanding capabilities during its lifetime of a generation or more.
EOSDIS will also stretch the limits of what can be done by a mammoth database
management system shared by a very diverse and demanding user community. Certainly,
many of the underlying technologies such as storage will evolve on their own. Other
technologies, however, will have to be encouraged, such as large-scale data management,
visualization, and integration of heterogeneous information. Possible ways to stimulate
technology include establishing an intramural computer science research capability
comparable to those in other sciences, supporting and using the external computer science
community, and using DAACs to establish formal and informal links with the computer
science research community in their neighboring universities.
The panel recommends that NASA involve Goddard Space Flight Center earth
scientists to a greater degree in the management and operations of EOSDIS and
also involve computer scientists both inside and outside of NASA to explore
Panel to Review EOSDIS Plans
17
research and technology in those areas where EOSDIS will stress the state of
the art in science and technology and where EOSDIS will evolve most rapidly.
DAAC Involvement. The DAACs are not well integrated into the EOSDIS management
structure, particularly during the development phase. The DAAC managers do not have
well-defined authority or accountability in building EOSDIS. DAACs should be involved
early, in contrast to the current plan, in which their primary role appears to be to operate
the hardware and software at their sites after delivery, and to deliver data products to users.
There should be mechanisms for feedback on scientific utility and operational effectiveness
from the individual DAACs and associated archive centers to the central Project since the
DAACs will be the primary sites for user interaction. There should be a coherent overall
development, management, and science advisory structure that includes the DAACs. The
panel understands that DAAC managers and scientists are involved in advisory roles.
Advisory roles, however, are not sufficient for developing capabilities for and at the DAACs.
Overall, the centralized management of the design and implementation of EOSDIS functions
at each DAAC is not conducive to active user involvement and responsiveness to changing
technology. What is needed is a structure that strengthens the local role of each DAAC
beyond the present DAAC advisory group and thus enhances the responsiveness of each
DAAC in meeting the needs of its user community, gives the DAAC some control over its
destiny, and yet ensures that an interoperable system is developed to meet the requirements
of EOSDIS.
The panel recommends that NASA create, at each DAAC, a Development
Team of full-time staff and active science users to address DAAC and user
concerns. These teams should evaluate EOSDIS planning and implementation,
including architecture, DAAC interface definitions, and other deliverables
essential to ensuring that the DAACs will be responsive to user needs and that
the EOSDIS system will be interoperable. In accomplishing these tasks, the
teams should monitor the contractor's activities on behalf of user communities
and prepare test data sets to verify system interfaces. Each DAAC
Development Team should validate that DAAC's operational capability to use
the evolving EOSDIS system as each of the program releases is implemented.
Finally, NASA should provide the DAACs with modest funding to respond to
specific user needs so that the DAACs will be able to parallel the evolution of
the user community's ability to manipulate, integrate, and model data.
Panel to Review EOSDIS Plans
A1
APPENDICES
A.
Letter of Request for Review of NASA's EOSDIS Plans
B.
Terms of Reference
C.
Panel Members and Biographies
D.
Activities of the Panel to Review EOSDIS Plans
E.
The EOSDIS System
F.
The U.S. Global Change Research Program
Panel to Review EOSDIS Plans
A2
Appendix A: Letter of Request for Review of NASA's EOSDIS Plans
NASA
National Aeronautics and
Space Administration
Washington, D.C.
20546
Office of the Administrator
NOV 22 !991
Dr. Frank Press
President
National Academy of Sciences
Washington, DC 20418
Dear Dr Frank-
NASA is restructuring the Earth Observing System (EOS)
program to fly instruments on intermediate and small
spacecraft as opposed to a series of large spacecraft. This
action will make the program more robust and flexible in the
face of future uncertainty and is consistent with the
recommendations of a number of groups including the EOS
Engineering Review Committee chaired by Dr. Edward Frieman.
This restructuring will result in a different sequencing of
measurements and changes in the volume of data relative to
the original EOS program.
Now that we have a better understanding of how the EOS
spacecraft will be configured, it will be necessary to adjust
our data system requirements to reflect the needs of the
program. Accordingly, as we discussed last week, I would
like to request that the Academy undertake a high level
review of our plans for the EOS Data and Information System
(EOSDIS) to ensure that this effort is compatible with the
restructured program and best serves the interests of a broad
range of users. The EOSDIS is designed to process, archive,
and make readily available the data from EOS as well as data
from past, current, and upcoming Earth observing spacecraft
that fly in advance of EOS. The user community will depend
on this data to develop an understanding of the vital aspects
of global change.
Your study should examine some of the fundamental
questions regarding the EOSDIS, particularly its
responsiveness to the global change research community
requirements and its technical feasibility. In addition, you
should review the EOSDIS in terms of flexibility and
compatibility in addressing evolving requirements, adequate
opportunities for user review and input, and balance between
distributed and centralized elements.
Panel to Review EOSDIS Plans
A3
2
NASA is determined to proceed as rapidly as possible
with the restructuring of the EOS program in order that there
will be no unnecessary delays in program implementation. It
is important that your study be accomplished such that an
interim or status report can be available to us by March 1992
and a final report of your findings by summer 1992.
I have asked Dr. Lennard A. Fisk of our Office of Space
Science and Applications to work with you to define in more
detail the terms of reference for this study and to provide
full support for your activities. I appreciate your
assistance in this important research initiative.
Sincerely,
Richard H. Trul
Administrator
Panel to Review EOSDIS Plans
A4
Appendix B: Terms of Reference
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is restructuring the Earth Observing System
(EOS) to be configured to fly on a series of intermediate and small spacecraft, as opposed to a
series of large spacecraft. This reconfiguration will result in a different sequencing of
measurements and changes in the volume of the data compared to the original EOS program.
The EOS Data and Information System (EOSDIS) is designed to process, archive, and make
readily available to a broad range of users the data from EOS and also from appropriate current
and upcoming spacecraft that fly in advance of EOS. Accordingly, the EOSDIS architecture will
need to be compatible with the program.
The National Research Council will convene a panel of technical experts to conduct a review of
NASA's plans for EOSDIS. Members of the panel should be drawn from appropriate National
Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Engineering bodies and the technical community
in order to bring together a broad mix of expertise in space data systems, data archival and
distribution systems and in global change research. A significant proportion of the panel should
have expertise in the procurement, technical, and management aspects of large database systems
outside the area of global change research. As recommended in the Report of the Earth
Observing System (EOS) Engineering Review Committee, the goal of the review should be to
validate the engineering and technical underpinnings of the EOSDIS; assess its potential value
to scientific users; suggest how technical risk can be minimized; and assess whether current plans
provide for sufficient resiliency to be adaptable to changing requirements (i.e., budget
environments, data volumes, etc.).
The EOSDIS program is currently selecting an EOS Core System contractor through a
competitive procurement. Consequently, access to information by the review panel will be
constrained to publicly available documents and presentations. Furthermore, no member selected
to participate on the panel should have a significant financial interest in any of the competing
contractors.
The panel will review NASA's plans for EOSDIS in order to address the following questions:
Does the current EOSDIS plan reflect the restructured EOS global change data
traffic model (i.e., are EOSDIS features properly sequenced with the complexity
of the instruments to be flown and other data sources)? Can/should some of
these features be delayed given the current data traffic model?
Are the plans for EOSDIS technically realistic and appropriate to meet the
Panel to Review EOSDIS Plans
A5
information systems demands of the EOS program, with adequate milestones and
prototype demonstrations of capabilities? Do these milestones and
demonstrations provide adequate benchmarks for monitoring the progress and
performance throughout the development and operational phases of the EOSDIS?
Does the EOSDIS plan meet the requirements of expected research users,
especially the global change research community? Do the plans for EOSDIS
provide adequately for involving university, national laboratory, government, and
other users in influencing the character of each incremental phase of the system?
Is NASA's plan for the development of EOSDIS sufficiently flexible to match the
pace and scope of an observing program that is developed in an evolutionary
fashion (i.e., is EOSDIS structured to respond to budget fluctuations or variations
in the users demands)? If not, what actions would you recommend NASA taking
to address this issue?
Is NASA's EOSDIS management plan appropriate? For example, is the planned
allocation of responsibilities between distribution and centralized elements of
EOSDIS conducive to user utilization as well as efficiency and cost effective
execution of the EOS program (i.e., is the allocation between distributed and
centralized elements optimal)? If not, what actions would you recommend NASA
taking to address this issue?
Is the planning and design for EOSDIS sufficiently flexible to accommodate
possible advances in computer hardware and software technologies that may
occur over the lifetime of the system? Can/should additional flexibility be built
into the design of the database?
Does the plan for EOSDIS include provision for expansion of the system to
include or access other data systems (e.g. National Space Science Data Center,
National Geophysical Data Center, Earth Resource Observation System Data
Center, and other national and international data systems)? What changes would
be required to achieve sufficient flexibility to permit expansion?
Overall, the panel will provide a critical review of NASA's plans for EOSDIS, identify potential
problems, and recommend actions that should be taken to address these problems. It will not
be expected to offer a redesign of the system.
The panel will provide a status report in March 1992 summarizing the progress of the EOSDIS
Panel to Review EOSDIS Plans
A6
review, including the principal issues identified by the panel for consideration, and will provide
a final report summarizing the findings and conclusions of the review by August 31, 1992.
Panel to Review EOSDIS Plans
A7
Appendix C: Panel Members and Biographies
PANEL TO REVIEW EOSDIS PLANS
Charles A. Zraket, Chair, Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard University
D. James Baker, Joint Oceanographic Institutions Incorporated
Kenneth I. Daugherty, Defense Mapping Agency
Richard E. Hallgren, American Meteorological Society
John E. Hopcroft, Cornell University
Kenneth C. Jezek, Ohio State University
Anita K. Jones, University of Virginia
Thomas R. Karl, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Ethan J. Schreier, Space Telescope Science Institute
Gael F. Squibb, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
Jeffrey D. Ullman, Stanford University
Staff
Richard C. Hart, Space Studies Board
Monica B. Krueger, Computer Science and Telecommunications Board
Norman Metzger, Commission on Physical Sciences, Mathematics, and Applications
Lorraine W. Wolf, Board on Earth Sciences and Resources
Panel to Review EOSDIS Plans
A8
Biographies of Panel Members
Charles A. Zraket, Chair. Scholar-in-Residence, Center for Science and International Affairs,
Harvard University. Past President and CEO, MITRE Corporation. S.M.E.E., Massachusetts
Institute of Technology; Honorary Doctorate of Engineering, Northeastern University. Member,
National Academy of Engineering; Fellow, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, I.E.E.E.,
AIAA, American Association for the Advancement of Science. Research interests:
International and national security; global environment, science and technology policy.
D. James Baker. President, Joint Oceanographic Institutions Incorporated; Distinguished
Visiting Scientist, Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Ph.D., Cornell University. Member, Global Change
Research Committee, Committee on Environmental Research, Climate Research Committee,
Joint Scientific Committee for the World Climate Research Program. Research interests:
Physics of large-scale ocean circulation and climate; ocean and satellite instrumentation; research
policy and management.
Kenneth I. Daugherty. Chief Scientist, Defense Mapping Agency (DMA). Ph.D., Uppsala
University, Sweden. Former Assistant and Associate Director, Hawaii Institute of Geophysics;
Former Deputy Director, Research and Engineering, DMA, and Director, DMA Systems Center.
Fellow, IAG; Recipient, DOD Distinguished Civilian Service Award. Research interests:
Geodesy; world coordinate systems; advanced surveying/positioning techniques; mapping
technology and production systems.
Richard E. Hallgren. Executive Director, American Meteorological Society. Ph.D.,
Pennsylvania State University. Former Associate Administrator for Environmental Monitoring
and Prediction, Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences, and Director of
the National Weather Service. Member, Global Change Research Committee, National
Committee for International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction, Committee on Earth
Sciences. Research interests: Meteorology, weather systems technology and management.
John E. Hopcroft. Joseph C. Ford Professor and Chair, Computer Science Department, Cornell
University. Ph.D., Stanford University. Member, National Academy of Engineering, NASA
Space Science and Applications Advisory Committee, and USAF Scientific Advisory Board.
Research interests: Algorithms, modeling and simulation.
Kenneth C. Jezek. Director, Byrd Polar Research Center, Ohio State University. Ph.D.,
University of Wisconsin. Member, Committee on Geophysical Data, Committee on Glaciology,
and Committee on Earth Studies. Research interests: Hemispheric-scale observations of the
growth motion and decay of polar ice using spaceborne instruments.
Panel to Review EOSDIS Plans
A9
Anita K. Jones. Professor and Chair, Department of Computer Science, University of Virginia.
Ph.D., Carnegie Mellon University. Member, Defense Science Board. Research interests:
Computer system design and construction; scientific databases; computer security.
Thomas R. Karl. Chief, Global Climate Laboratory, National Climatic Data Center, NOAA.
M.S., University of Wisconsin. Member, NRC Climate Research Committee, WMO/UNEP Inter-
governmental panel on Climate Change, NRC Effects Subpanel on "The Policy Implications of
the Greenhouse Effect." Ex officio Chairman, American Meteorological Society Applied
Climatology Committee. Research interests: Climate and climate change; Earth system
information management
Ethan J. Schreier. Associate Director for Operations, Space Telescope Science Institute. Ph.D.,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Member, Astronomy Survey Committee Panel on
Computing and Data Processing, NASA Astrophysics Division Science Operations Management
and Operations Working Group. Research interests: Astronomy; observations of x-ray
sources, active galaxies and jets; development and operations of astronomy satellites and
distributed data systems for astronomy, including portable software, archives, networks.
Gael F. Squibb. Manager, Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility (AXAF) Science Center,
Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. M.S., University of Southern California.
Chairman, NASA Astrophysics Data System Study. Jet Propulsion Laboratory: Flight Director,
Surveyor Project; Operations Director, Mariner Venus Mercury; Manager, Information Systems
Sequence Section; Manager, Infrared Astronomical Satellite Project; Manager, Infrared
Processing and Analysis Center. Research interests: Astronomy; satellite systems.
Jeffrey D. Ullman. Professor and Chair, Department of Computer Science, Stanford
University. Ph.D., Princeton University. Member, National Academy of Engineering. Research
interests: Database systems, especially deductive database systems; database integration.
Panel to Review EOSDIS Plans
A10
Appendix D: Activities of the Panel to Review EOSDIS Plans
The panel met for the first time on February 14 - 15, 1992, at the National Academy of Sciences
facilities in Washington, D.C., to review NASA's plans for EOSDIS. The panel was given the
following background material: a copy of the EOSDIS Request for Proposal; summaries of
Space Studies Board (SSB) reports on data management and on earth science from space; the
1991 Report of the Earth Observing System (EOS) Engineering Review Committee (Frieman
report); the 1992 GAO report, EOS: Information on NASA's Selection of Data Centers, the 1991
EOS Reference Handbook (NASA/GSFC); the 1989 report of the Science Advisory Panel for
EOS Data and Information, Initial Scientific Assessment of the EOSDIS; the CEES report, Our
Changing Planet: The FY1992 U.S. Global Change Research Program, the 1991 NRC Committee
on Geophysical Data report, Solving the Global Change Puzzle: A U.S. Strategy for Managing
Data and Information, the 1991 SSB report, Assessment of Satellite Earth Observation Programs,
1991; and the 1990 NRC Committee on Global Change report, The U.S. Global Change
Research Program: An Assessment of the FY1991 Plans. The panel also received a draft copy
of the 1992 GAO report, Earth Observing System: NASA's EOSDIS Development Approach is
Risky.
During the first meeting the panel received a number of briefings and presentations: (from
NASA/HQ) L. Fisk, "EOS Overview"; S. Tilford and D. Butler, "NASA Plans for EOS"; (from
NOAA) E. Shea, "Overview of the Global Change Program"; (from NASA/GSFC) J. Dozier, T.
Taylor, H. Ramapriyan, and G. McConaughy, "NASA Plans for EOSDIS."
The panel was divided into three subpanels (User Interactions, Engineering Assessment of System
Architecture, and Development/Procurement Process) that each produced a written set of
questions for NASA. NASA responded with detailed, written answers. In addition, two of the
subpanels visited Goddard Space Flight Center (the Development/Procurement subpanel on
February 27 and the System Architecture subpanel on March 5) in order to gain further
information from project officials.
The panel met for the second time on March 9 - 11, 1992, at the National Academy of Sciences
facilities and heard additional information from NASA (J. Dozier, D. Butler, H. Ramapriyan,
and G. McConaughy), a presentation on interagency data management efforts and NOAA data
management activities (G. Withee), and a discussion with a DAAC manager (R. Dunkum, NASA
Langley Research Center). During this meeting the panel prepared the draft of its interim report.
Panel to Review EOSDIS Plans
A11
Appendix E: The EOSDIS System*
The U.S. government has undertaken a multiagency program designed to study the Earth from
a global perspective to help develop sound national and international policies related to global
environmental issues, particularly global climate change. NASA's contribution to this program
is the Mission to Planet Earth, a series of scientific initiatives and spaceflight programs known
collectively as the Earth Observing System (EOS). A central element of EOS is the Data and
Information System (EOSDIS), a system to make the data obtained from the flight projects and
scientific investigations available to the research community.
EOS will consist of a series of spacecraft that will be flown over a 15-year period to investigate
the Earth's atmosphere and surface and the interactions between them that could influence global
climate changes. Although originally conceived as two large polar-orbiting platforms with 30
instruments, EOS has recently been restructured to six smaller spacecraft with a total of 20
instruments. NASA hopes to fly three copies of each of the spacecraft over the 15-year period.
In addition, a number of other U.S. and international space missions will examine various aspects
of the Earth's environment. The data produced by this array of spacecraft will need to be
processed, stored, and distributed to a research community estimated at 10,000 users. The
EOSDIS is being planned by NASA to acquire, process, store, and distribute the spacecraft data;
manage the information about the data; provide the networks necessary to access the data as well
as the computing facilities necessary to analyze them; provide and maintain the standards and
formats for the system; and administer the scheduling of observations and the command and
control functions of the spacecraft and instruments. The EOSDIS program is to provide the
tools needed to use the data, in activities such as the development and integration of algorithms
for scientific products, communication and exchange of data among scientists, archiving of
scientific products for access by others, checking on the health and calibration of instruments,
and planning and scheduling for acquisition of new data. The system will be expected to manage
a data volume of about 600 terabytes/yr.
EOSDIS will be structured around seven research science-oriented Distributed Active Archive
Centers (DAACs) that will receive the raw data from the spacecraft, process them, and provide
them to the users through a Product Generation System (PGS), which will produce standard sets
of earth science data, an Information Management System (IMS), which will give users access
to all the data throughout the EOSDIS system, and a Data Archive and Distribution System
(DADS), which will serve as the archive and distribution mechanism for the data produced by
EOS.
In addition to the Science Data Processing Segment of the DAACs, the architecture for EOSDIS
will also include a Flight Operations Segment (FOS) for mission and instrument planning,
Panel to Review EOSDIS Plans
A12
scheduling, control, and monitoring, and a Communications and System Management Segment
for overall management and coordination of ground system resources such as inter-DAAC
communications and interfacing to the NASA Science Internet.
NASA is currently developing a prototype of EOSDIS (Version 0) in order to improve access to
existing data and to test the interoperability of existing systems. NASA will select a contractor
to develop EOSDIS (Versions 1 through 6) in May 1992, with the expectation of having the full
system operating by mid-1998.
*This description has been abstracted from the background material available to the panel (as
described in Appendix D) and the briefing documents presented to the panel during the February
14 - 15, 1992, meeting.
Panel to Review EOSDIS Plans
A13
Appendix F: The U.S. Global Change Research Program
The U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) was established as a Presidential
Initiative in the FY 1990 Budget to address global environmental issues, with particular emphasis
on global climate change. The Committee on Earth and Environmental Sciences (CEES) of the
Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology is the interagency group
charged with the task of developing the program.* The primary goal of the USGCRP is to
establish the scientific basis for national and international policies relating to natural and human-
induced changes in the global Earth system. In accordance with this goal, the CEES has outlined
the following objectives:
To establish an integrated, comprehensive, long-term program of documenting the
Earth system on a global scale;
To conduct a program of focused studies to improve our understanding of the
physical, geological, chemical, biological, and social processes that influence Earth
system processes and trends on global and regional scales; and
To develop integrated conceptual and predictive Earth system models.
The USGCRP is organized around seven science priorities: climate and hydrologic systems,
biogeochemical dynamics, ecological systems and dynamics, earth systems history, human
interactions, solid earth processes, and solar influences. These science priorities reflect the
interdisciplinary approaches necessary for achieving the goal of the Program. In addition to
increased understanding in each of these research areas, the success of the USGCRP will
require an effective data and information management system. The CEES, through the
Interagency Working Group on Data Management for Global Change, is currently planning such
a system.
*For a detailed overview of the USGCRP, see: Our Changing Planet: The FY 1992 U.S. Global
Change Research Program, Committee on Earth and Environmental Sciences (CEES), Federal
Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology (FCCSET), Office of Science and
Technology Policy (OSTP), Washington, D.C., 1991; and Our Changing Planet: The FY 1993
U.S. Global Change Research Program, CEES, FCCSET, OSTP, Washington, D.C., 1992.