Earth Observing System

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) plans to include a variety of data into the early version of the Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS), known as Version O, including reprocessed versions of some key large-volume data sets that have been collected over many years. Few of the data sets earmarked for reprocessing, however, will be sufficiently reworked to be available for users to test early EOSDIS capabilities and provide feedback. Although Version O is scheduled to be up and running in 1994, none of the six large data sets that the scientific community chose to be included is likely to be fully reprocessed by then. Many projects are still in the preliminary phase, with few details worked out on how their data sets will be made available through EOSDIS. Others do not even have preliminary plans or milestones because scientists are still debating various alternatives for reprocessing their data to make it useful within EOSDIS.

GAO found that: (1) in attempting to incorporate diverse EOSDIS data and informational needs, NASA has adopted an evolutionary development approach; (2) the primary EOSDIS objective is to expand earth science data available to research community; (3) NASA established pathfinder data sets to collect large data sets over a period of years to reflect global changes; (4) the Pathfinder Project is to reprocess, recalibrate and correct data inconsistencies; (5) a number of satellites under various scientific authorities will be selected and used by EOSDIS; (6) few data sets will be adequately reworked in time to test EOSDIS capabilities and provide feedback; and (7) the 1994 completion date for all six data sets may be unrealistic, since many projects are in preliminary phases.