FUTURE OF LAND IMAGING U.S. Land Imaging Needs & Long-Term Continuity Future of Land Imaging Interagency Working Group (FLI-IWG) U.S. Group on Earth Observations Committee on Environment and Natural Resources National Science and Technology Council National Science and Technology Council Executive Office of the President Executive Office of the President Washington, DC

Future of Land Imaging – Interagency Working Group April 20, AGENDA Background – –Land Imaging Policy History – –OSTP Memoranda What is Land Imaging ? – –Moderate Resolution Imagery is … – –Moderate Resolution Imagery is Important because … The National Science and Technology Council Study Process – –Scope and Charter of the FLI-IWG – –Assumptions – –Needs Analysis -- What are the Societal Benefits ? – –Options for Meeting U.S. Land Imaging Needs – –Governance Options How You Can Become Involved

Future of Land Imaging – Interagency Working Group April 20, Since 1972, the U.S. has flown Landsat – for Agriculture, Forestry, Mapping, Geology, and a variety of other scientific and operational uses Since 1972, the U.S. has flown Landsat – for Agriculture, Forestry, Mapping, Geology, and a variety of other scientific and operational uses In 1979, the U.S. attempted, but failed, to commercialize Landsat In 1979, the U.S. attempted, but failed, to commercialize Landsat In 1992, the U.S. Congress established The Land Remote Sensing Policy Act In 1992, the U.S. Congress established The Land Remote Sensing Policy Act –Suspended commercialization attempts and authorized Landsat 7 –Adopted the Landsat Data Availability Policy International Open Skies Treaty International Open Skies Treaty Non-Discriminatory User Access Non-Discriminatory User Access –Provided for Commercial Licensing, Advanced Technology, and Applications Research Programs In 2003, the U.S. attempted, but failed, to establish a Public-Private Partnership for Landsat Data Continuity In 2003, the U.S. attempted, but failed, to establish a Public-Private Partnership for Landsat Data Continuity BACKGROUND Land Imaging Policy History

Future of Land Imaging – Interagency Working Group April 20, In August 2004, OSTP modified Landsat Strategy In August 2004, OSTP modified Landsat Strategy –Validated the importance of Landsat-type Imagery to U.S. economic, environmental, and national security interests –Transitioned Landsat to a sustained operational program –Placed a Landsat-type instrument on the National Polar Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) In December 2005, OSTP revised the Strategy In December 2005, OSTP revised the Strategy –Removed Landsat from NPOESS due to design complexities –Authorized construction of a new Landsat “free-flyer” satellite –Initiated a Long-Term Continuity Study to identify Future Needs and Options for U.S. Land Imaging –Established the Future of Land Imaging Interagency Working Group (FLI IWG) BACKGROUND OSTP Memoranda

Future of Land Imaging – Interagency Working Group April 20, The characteristics of satellite imaging required to obtain: – –Accurate spectral and spatial information – –Frequent synoptic views of the Earth – –Precise geo-referenced data for mapping and monitoring – –Scaleable geospatial information across global, hemispheric, continental, regional, and local geographies Data calibrated to a national standard over time -- for measuring real physical changes to the Earth Information about: – –Earth’s geology, hydrology, climatology, biology, and other natural system sciences – –The habitability, sustainability, and quality of life on our planet – –Society’s physical, economic, and social infrastructure – –Ways to mitigate and respond to human-caused and natural disasters WHAT IS LAND IMAGING ? Moderate Resolution Imagery is …

Future of Land Imaging – Interagency Working Group April 20, WHAT IS LAND IMAGING ? Moderate Resolution Imagery is Important because … Land Imaging directly benefits Society Land Imaging directly benefits Society –Agriculture and Forestry –Land Use Planning and Management –Water Resource Management –Emergency / Disaster Management –Coastal Zone Management –Ecological Forecasting –National / Homeland Security –Transportation Management and Infrastructure Planning

Future of Land Imaging – Interagency Working Group April 20, Led by the National Science and Technology Council, with representatives from: – –National Aeronautics and Space Administration – –U.S. Department of the Interior / U.S. Geological Survey – –U.S. Department of Agriculture – –U.S. Department of Defense – –National Geospatial Intelligence Agency – –National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Conduct Fact-Finding and Needs Assessment – –Why does the U.S. need Moderate-Resolution Land Images ? – –What are the Options for acquiring these Capabilities or Data ? – –How should U.S. Land Imaging be managed ? Produce “a long-term plan… in accord with the goals and objectives of the U.S. Integrated Earth Observation System.” Report in early 2007 with 2 nd and 3 rd Qtr 2006 Interim Reports THE NSTC STUDY PROCESS Scope and Charter of the FLI-IWG

Future of Land Imaging – Interagency Working Group April 20, THE NSTC STUDY PROCESS Assumptions Continuity of the U.S. Land Data Record will be maintained Continuity of the U.S. Land Data Record will be maintained … but Landsat will not constrain future U.S. Land Imaging capabilities and designs … but Landsat will not constrain future U.S. Land Imaging capabilities and designs Alternatives should meet the Landsat Data Continuity Standard while addressing additional U.S. needs Alternatives should meet the Landsat Data Continuity Standard while addressing additional U.S. needs –Greater spatial or spectral resolution –Greater frequency of coverage and “steerable” imaging –Multi-purpose Imaging Systems (Radar, Radar hybrids, Hyperspectral)

Future of Land Imaging – Interagency Working Group April 20, The FLI-IWG will inventory and assess the societal benefit of Land Imaging and how it can best be met The FLI-IWG will inventory and assess the societal benefit of Land Imaging and how it can best be met Societal Benefits are a core feature of the International Global Earth Observing System of Systems and the U.S. Integrated Earth Observing System Societal Benefits are a core feature of the International Global Earth Observing System of Systems and the U.S. Integrated Earth Observing System –Weather –Natural Disasters –Ocean Resources –Climate Variability and Change –Agriculture and Forestry There are other Societal Benefits not captured by GEOSS and IEOS that are important to meeting U.S. economic and national security interests There are other Societal Benefits not captured by GEOSS and IEOS that are important to meeting U.S. economic and national security interests –Land Use Planning and Management –Public Lands Conservation / Management –National Security Operations –Transportation Planning / Management The Vitality and Competitiveness of the U.S. Aerospace Industry is also a Primary Consideration The Vitality and Competitiveness of the U.S. Aerospace Industry is also a Primary Consideration THE NSTC STUDY PROCESS Needs Analysis – What are the Societal Benefits ? –Human Health and Well-Being –Ecological Forecasting –Water Resource Management –Energy Resource Management –Property Valuation –Flood Plain Assessment –Foreign Agricultural Assessment –Infrastructure Planning / Management

Future of Land Imaging – Interagency Working Group April 20, Government- Owned Satellite Government- Owned Satellite Public-Private Partnership Public-Private Partnership International Partnership International Partnership Commercial Program Commercial Program A Combination of these Options A Combination of these Options THE NSTC STUDY PROCESS Options for Meeting U.S. Land Imaging Needs The U.S. Government owns and operates a U.S. satellite and maintains an archive and distribution capability. The U.S. Government shares responsibility with the private sector. Costs are shared in proportion to the value of the data. The U.S. Government shares capabilities and data with foreign partners. The U.S. acquires all data from the private sector which retains rights to U.S. Land Imaging data. A primary solution may be complemented or supplemented by a secondary solution.

Future of Land Imaging – Interagency Working Group April 20, Single Agency Single Agency Multiple Agency Multiple Agency Integrated Program Office Integrated Program Office U.S. National Commission U.S. National Commission No U.S. Government Manager No U.S. Government Manager THE NSTC STUDY PROCESS Governance Options A single U.S. Federal Agency is responsible for all aspects of Land Imaging. Two or more Federal Agencies are responsible for all aspects of Land Imaging. An IPO reporting to multiple Federal Agencies is responsible for all aspects of Land Imaging. A U.S. National Commission manages the U.S. Land Imaging Program, assigning responsibility for Land Imaging. The U.S. acquires all Land Imaging data commercially or from international sources. No U.S. Federal Agency is assigned responsibility.

Future of Land Imaging – Interagency Working Group April 20, We need your input ! You can view Future of Land Imaging information at And your views and opinions to HOW YOU CAN BECOME INVOLVED