--Michael King, EOS Senior Project Scientist
The first Biennial Review of MTPE is nearing completion. The key recommendations of the Biennial Review team include: (i) implementing the EOS Chemistry-1 mission on the common spacecraft as presently planned, but using an optimized build schedule that saves $27 M over the mission costs in the FY98 PresidentÍs budget, (ii) accelerating EOS Laser Altimetry-1 to 2001 (from 2002) and using a small spacecraft procurement strategy developed during the Chemistry mission study, (iii) enhancing the role and responsibilities of the Data Processing Resources Board and establishing a peer review process to permit an interactive dialog on requirements, capabilities, and cost of data reduction, (iv) reducing the at-launch data processing capability of EOSDIS, phasing in full capacity over a two-year period based on a reassessment of early science needs, and (v) phasing in selected interdependent data sets over a two-year period. Recommendations on the EOSDIS Core System will be made in October, after assessment of the results of an August demonstration of EOSDIS Version B.0' capabilities.
In addition, the Biennial Review team recommended (i) restoring the Research & Analysis (R&A) budget to historical levels, (ii) establishing tighter linkages between the EOS validation and R&A programs for optimized allocation of resources, (iii) funding technology development that supports more efficient and cost-effective instrument implementation and shortens mission development cycles, and (iv) adopting a new, more flexible strategy for planning post-2002 missions.
The Biennial Review team presented findings and recommendations to an external review panel chaired by Prof. Pamela Matson, University of California-Berkeley, in two meetings in June and July 1997. This Panel concurred with the key recommendations of the Biennial Review team, and offered specific advice on the process for managing EOSDIS data products and on science management. Further information on the Biennial Review, including its final report and that of the external review panel (when completed), can be found under "What's News" on the MTPE Homepage, www.hq.nasa.gov/office/mtpe/
An Investigators Working Group (IWG) meeting is now scheduled for November 4-6 in Atlanta, Georgia. As in the past couple of years, the primary focus of this meeting is to: (i) learn of recent progress and exciting accomplishments obtained thus far by various EOS investigations, (ii) assess progress and expectations for EOSDIS in the next couple of years, (iii) discuss objectives and status of Earth System Science Pathfinders (ESSP) that were recently selected for launch at the beginning of the next decade, and (iv) review the status and plans for data processing and validation of EOS instruments to be launched in the next couple of years.