Space science in the twenty-first century : imperatives for the decades 1995 to 2015 : report of the study steering group / Space Science Board, Commission on Physical Sciences, Mathematics, and Resources, National Research Council.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

National Research Council Staff, Corporate Author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Space sciences.

Astronomy.

Cosmic physics.

Space biology.

Planets--Exploration.

Planets.

Relativity (Physics).

Physical Description:

1 online resource (137 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Other Title:

Mission to planet earth

Place of Publication:

Washington, D.C. : National Academy Press, 1988.

Language Note:

English

Contents:

Space Science in the Twenty-First Century: Imperatives for the Decades 1995 to 2015

Copyright

Foreword

Preface

Contents

1 Design and Implications of a Research Mission to Planet Earth

INTRODUCTION

GRAND THEMES

MEASUREMENT STRATEGY

SYSTEMS OVERVIEW

1. A Satellite-based Observing System

2. Complementary In Situ Observing Systems

3. Modeling

4. Data System

STRATEGY OVERVIEW

2 Earth Sciences-Status of Understanding

THE EARTH'S INTERIOR AND CRUST

Plate Tectonics

Gravitational and Magnetic Fields

Structure of the Earth's Interior

History of Earth's Crust

THE EARTH'S AIR AND WATER

Atmosphere

Oceans

Fresh Water and Ice

The Challenge: Climate Prediction

LIFE ON EARTH

Relation of Physical and Biological Earth History

Global Biota: Revelations from Space

Biogeochemical Cycles

The Carbon Cycle

The Nitrogen Cycle

The Phosphorus Cycle

The Sulfur Cycle

Human Activities

PLANET EARTH IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM

3 The Earth as a System-A Global Perspective for Future Planning

INTRODUCTION-OBJECTIVES AND GRAND THEMES

GRAND THEME 1: STRUCTURE, EVOLUTION, AND DYNAMICS OF THE EARTH'S INTERIOR AND CRUST

Global Issues

The Measurements Required

Structure and Chemistry

Dynamics

Geological Mapping

Global Topography

Surface Imaging and Sounding

GRAND THEME 2: ATMOSPHERE, OCEANS, CRYOSPHERE, AND HYDROLOGIC CYCLE

GRAND THEME 3: LIVING ORGANISMS AND THEIR INTERACTION WITH THE ENVIRONMENT

GRAND THEME 4: INTERACTION OF HUMAN ACTIVITIES WITH THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

Human Impact

Hazards

4 Current and Planned Earth Observing Satellite Missions: 1986 to 1995

INTRODUCTION.

CURRENT PROGRAMS

Land Observing Systems

Landsat

Systeme Probatoire d'Observation de la Terre (SPOT)

Shuttle Imaging Radar (SIR)

Ocean Observing Systems

Atmosphere Observing Systems

Earth's Radiation Budget

Atmospheric Chemistry

Geodynamics

POTENTIAL INITIATIVES: 1986 TO 1995

Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS)

Scatterometer

Ocean Topography Experiment for Ocean Circulation (TOPEX)/Poseidon

Ocean Color Imager

Shuttle-Spacelab Payloads

Tethered Satellite System

Magnetic Field Satellite

Geopotential Research Mission (GRM)

Earth Observing System (EOS)

COMPUTERS, COMMUNICATIONS, AND DATA MANAGEMENT

5 Elements of the Mission to Planet Earth

SYSTEMS DEFINITION

ELEMENTS OF THE SYSTEM

Satellite "Earth Observing System" (EOS)

Smart Ground Stations

Seismic Measurements

Geodetic Measurements

Meteorological and Hydrological Measurements

Measurement of Soil Properties

Simple Ground Installations

Magnetic Field

Ocean Bottom Stations

Moored Buoys

Floating Buoys

Ships: Research and Voluntary Observing

Global Geodetic Observations at the Centimeter Level

The Plato System

DATA MANAGEMENT AND ANALYSIS

INTEGRATION OF RESULTS FROM OBSERVING SYSTEMS

6 Science Policy Considerations and Recommendations

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. National Coordination of Agency Roles

2. International Coordination and Cooperation

3. NASA's Role in the Solid Earth Sciences

Appendix A EOS Instrument Descriptions.

Notes:

Support for this project was provided by Contract NASW-3482 between the National Academy of Sciences and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

ISBN:

1-280-21473-2

9786610214730

0-309-53561-1

0-585-11820-5

OCLC:

70753757