Dear Colleague:
The Earth Science Enterprise is beginning a methodical strategic planning effort to ensure a logical progression of activities and missions that will accomplish our scientific and application goals beyond the time frame of the 1st series of Earth Observing System missions. As a part of this effort, we are extending to the community an opportunity to participate in the formulation of the strategy for the next decade. We have posted a Request for Information (RFI), entitled "Concepts for Science and Applications Missions in the Post-2002 Era," on the Earth Science Enterprise Research Announcement Web Page at: http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/ese/nra/index.html
We are requesting short, mission-concept papers which address emerging science questions and will enable the development of a nominal, multi-mission profile for Earth observation satellite missions in the 2003-2010 time frame. The received mission concepts will be screened for scientific and technological merit by panels of peers. A subsequent workshop will enable the scientific, technological, and programmatic planning communities to work together in the preparation of a multi-mission profile which takes into account operational and foreign mission plans and potential commercial observations. This multi-mission profile will be used in planning future technology development, mission Announcements of Opportunity (AOs), associated NASA Research Announcements (NRAs), coordination with operational and foreign agencies, and commercial data purchases. The mission concepts and profile will be reassessed periodically to ensure that they continue to meet evolving science requirements and incorporate technology advances.
I encourage you to participate in this planning exercise for the implementation of our science-driven, technology-enabled approach to meeting our science and applications objectives.
Thank you for your efforts in this regard.
Sincerely,
Dr. Ghassem Asrar