U.S. Land Imaging Needs & Long-Term Continuity

1. 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 Executive Office of the President Washington, DC

2. 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

3. BACKGROUNDLand Imaging Policy History • 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 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 • 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

4. BACKGROUNDOSTP Memoranda • 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 • 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)

5. WHAT IS LAND IMAGING ?Moderate Resolution Imagery is … • 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

6. WHAT IS LAND IMAGING ?Moderate Resolution Imagery is Important because … • 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 support • Transportation Management and Infrastructure Planning

7. THE NSTC STUDY PROCESSScope and Charter of the FLI-IWG • 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 2nd and 3rd Qtr 2006 Interim Reports

8. THE NSTC STUDY PROCESSAssumptions • Continuity of the U.S. Land Data Record will be maintained • … 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 • Greater spatial or spectral resolution • Greater frequency of coverage and “steerable” imaging • Multi-purpose Imaging Systems (Radar, Radar hybrids, Hyperspectral)

9. THE NSTC STUDY PROCESSNeeds Analysis – What are the Societal Benefits ? • 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 • 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 • 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 • Human Health and Well-Being • Ecological Forecasting • Water Resource Management • Energy Resource Management • Property Valuation • Flood Plain Assessment • Foreign Agricultural Assessment • Infrastructure Planning / Management

10. THE NSTC STUDY PROCESSOptions for Meeting U.S. Land Imaging Needs • Government-Owned Satellite • Public-Private Partnership • International Partnership • Commercial Program • A Combination of these Options 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.

11. THE NSTC STUDY PROCESSGovernance Options • Single Agency • Multiple Agency • Integrated Program Office • U.S. National Commission • No U.S. Government Manager 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.

12. HOW YOU CAN BECOME INVOLVED USDA Representation What Who OSTP confirmation www.landimaging.gov

13. Back-up Slides • Back-up Slides • OSTP Memorandum 12/23/05 • Landsat 5 Status • Landsat 7 Status • Alternate Data Source Options

14. Future of Land imaging

15. Landsat 5 Status • Landsat 5 and its Thematic Mapper (TM) sensor have been on orbit for 22 years • No onboard data recorder – only U.S. (Sioux Falls, Australia, plus Alaska during fire season) and 8 International Cooperators (ICs) with 10 ground stations capture TM data • Solar array drive malfunctioned again in November 2005 (side A 10 mos. earlier); operations changed to compensate for problem • 19 years of extended operations • Fuel to be depleted in 2010 • Satellite could fail anytime before 2010 • Backup amplifier problem March 16, 2006 • Full U.S. and IC operations resumed March 30, 2006

16. Landsat 7 Status • Landsat 7 and its Enhanced Thematic Mapper-Plus (ETM+) sensor have been on orbit for 7 years • ETM+ scan line corrector (SLC) failed May 2003; USGS developed gap filler products • 1 of 3 Landsat 7 gyros turned off May 2004; USGS developing 1-gyro flight capability (spacecraft maneuver capability now; not full science operations) and moving towards “virtual” gyro operations • Full U.S. and global data coverage being collected • 2 years of extended mission operations • Fuel to be depleted in 2010 • Satellite could fail anytime before 2010 • USGS/NASA Data Gap Study Team formed to investigate options and resources for Landsat-like global data sets

17. Alternate Data Source Options U.S.-Landsat/ETM+ U.S.-EO-1/ALI India-ResourceSat/LISS III Japan-ALOS/AVNIR-2 Japan-Terra/ASTER France-SPOT/HRG India-ResourceSat/AWiFS China/Brazil-CBERS/MUXCAN Note: For purposes of scene size comparison only; not actual orbital paths or operational acquisitions. High-resolution scenes too small to illustrate here. China/Brazil-CBERS/IRMSS Germany- RapidEye/REIS China/Brazil-CBERS/WFI England-DMC/MSDMC