1. NASA AGENCY REPORT Dr. Eric J. Lindstrom Physical Oceanography Program Scientist Earth Science Division Science Mission Directorate MARCH 12, 2007

2. 2 NASA’s Mission and Vision NASA will continue the objectives for space exploration established in the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958. To pioneer the future in space exploration, Scientific discovery, and aeronautics research. NASA has embraced President George W. Bush’s directive, A Renewed Spirit of Discovery: The President’s Vision for Space Exploration, as the Agency’s Vision. Explore the solar system and beyond; Return humans to the Moon in the next decade; Ultimately send humans to Mars and beyond; Enhance understanding of the planets; and Ask new questions and answer questions as old as humankind.

3. 3 NASA’s Strategic Goals: 2006 Through 2016 Strategic Goal 1: Fly the Shuttle as safely as possible until its retirement, not later than 2010. Strategic Goal 2: Complete the International Space Station in a manner consistent with NASA’s International Partner commitments and the needs of human exploration. Strategic Goal 3: Develop a balanced overall program of science, exploration, and aeronautics consistent with the redirection of the human spaceflight program to focus on exploration. Strategic Goal 4: Bring a new Crew Exploration Vehicle into service as soon as possible after Shuttle retirement. Strategic Goal 5: Encourage the pursuit of appropriate partnerships with the emerging commercial space sector. Strategic Goal 6: Establish a lunar return program having the maximum possible utility for later missions to Mars and other destinations.

4. 4 National Space Policy The August 31, 2006 National Space Policy (NSP) states that NASA shall develop, acquire, and use civil space systems to advance fundamental scientific knowledge of our Earth system and shall conduct a program of research to advance scientific knowledge of the Earth through space-based observation. The NSP states that NOAA, in coordination with NASA, shall be responsible for operational civil environmental space-based remote sensing systems, that NASA, NOAA and the Department of Defense (DoD) continue to consolidate civil and military polar-orbiting operational environmental sensing systems, and that NOAA, with support from NASA, shall continue a program of civil geostationary operational environmental satellites. The NSP states that NASA and NOAA shall transition mature research and development capabilities to long-term operations, as appropriate.

5. 5 With the Launch of Aura, the 1st Series of EOS is Now Complete Lost contact

6. 6 Sub-goal 3A Over the next 10 years, NASA will deploy the next generation of advanced observing and research capabilities: In 2008, Glory will help characterize aerosol properties and provide measurement continuity of the Sun’s influence on Earth’s climate system; In 2008, the NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP) will extend the data record of essential measurements and demonstrate new weather satellite instruments; In 2008, the Ocean Surface Topography Mission (OSTM) will take the next step toward an operational capability for ocean altimetry from space. In 2008, the Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO) will take the first measurements of the global distribution of carbon dioxide; In 2009, Aquarius will take the first global measurements of sea surface salinity. By 2012, the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission will extend the coverage of observations currently demonstrated by the TRMM satellite. NASA and USGS will conduct a mission to secure near-term availability of Landsat-type data and will design a strategy for long-term data continuity. Study Earth from space to advance scientific understanding and meet societal needs.

7. 7 Ocean Surface Topography Science Team Present Team selected in 2004. Contracts run through March 2008. Re-competition of team advertised by NASA in ROSES 2007. 1.Notice of intent to propose due 8/31/07 2.Proposals due 10/31/07. 3.Selection in early 2008. 4.Full information at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/ Follow path to ROSES ‘07 and OSTST (Appendix A.7) http://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/

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