# Presentation: 246667

## The Earth Science (ES) Vision:An intelligent Web of SensorsIGARSS 2002 Paper 02_06_08:20

**Eduardo Torres-Martinez – ES Technology Office****Gran Paules – NASA HQ ES Enterprise****Mark Schoeberl – Goddard Space Fight Center ****Michael W. Kalb – Global Science and Technology Inc.**
***http://esto.gsfc.nasa.gov***

***EARTH SCIENCE ENTERPRISE***

## Sensorwebs for Earth Science

**A sensorweb is a *****virtual organization of multiple sensors***** combined into an intelligent ‘macro instrument’ such that information collected by any one sensor can be used by other sensors in the web, as necessary to accomplish a coordinated observing task.**

## Sensorwebs are the Observing Componentof an End-to-end Architecture

**Sensorwebs are the Observing Component****of an End-to-end Architecture**

## ES Development of the Sensorweb Concept

**Precursor applications:**
- Landsat-7 and EO-1 are formation-flying platforms that perform coordinated research and applications observations.
- The Aqua (05/02),  Aura (01/04),  Parasol (04/04),  Cloudsat (04/04), and Calipso (04/04)  platforms will become a formation-flying “train” that performs correlative research measurements.

**Notes:**
Near-
Landsast 7 is a USGS multi-spectral imager that maps the Earth every 16 days / Eo-1 is an NMP demo 
Far-term
Weather – is the same sensors targeted differently or working at various repeat rates, resolutions, etc.
NatHaz – is sensors used for different purposes (e.g. imagers looking at fires or floods).

## Far-term Sensorweb Applications

**ES Vision concepts include sensorwebs as *****enabling elements *****for systems that:**
- Automatically implement optimized observation strategies for weather and climate predictive systems *such that the useful range of forecasts would be extended*.
- Automatically optimize the allocation of diverse assets for observations needed to predict; detect; and monitor the development certain natural hazards *such that we can better mitigate the effects of such hazards.*

**Notes:**
Near-
Landsast 7 is a USGS multi-spectral imager that maps the Earth every 16 days / Eo-1 is an NMP demo 
Far-term
Weather – is the same sensors targeted differently or working at various repeat rates, resolutions, etc.
NatHaz – is sensors used for different purposes (e.g. imagers looking at fires or floods).

## By introducing a feedback path between a forecast model and a sensorweb-based observing system, future observations could be tailored to the specific data acquisition needs identified by the forecast model.

This approach applies the flexibility of the sensorweb to enable observing strategies that produce special data sets when and where it makes sense to have the highest impact on the forecast model run.

**This approach applies the flexibility of the sensorweb to enable observing strategies that produce special data sets when and where it makes sense *****to have the highest impact on the forecast model run*****.**

**Advanced Weather Predictive System**

**Notes:**
A control ‘loop’ could direct changes to the types and schedules of data collections, or engage additional assets / sensors to observing at locations where perceived needs are greatest, and where greatest forecast impacts from those data are likely to be realized.

The specific observing strategy implementation might be driven by where and when a model predicts rapid significant future development, by where the model forecast shows greatest uncertainty, or by where observations reported real-time from the sensorweb reveal deficiencies in model performance. 

## Weather Predictive System ‘Control Loop’

**Weather Predictive System ‘Control Loop’**

## Advanced Hazard Management System

**Sensorweb-enabled observations linked with predictive models would provide reliable hazard warnings and monitor events *****to provide real-time data sets***** ****needed to drive decision-support systems.**
** **
**This approach applies the flexibility of the sensorweb to enable observing strategies that produce special data sets when and where it makes sense *****to guide actions******—******such as evacuations or deployment of relief efforts******—that ******mitigate losses*****.**

**Notes:**
Sensorweb-based warning systems could predict the likelihood of events, estimate and convey the expected effects of events before they develop, and monitor developments to provide real-time updates.
A more advanced application would provide forecasts and real-time assessment of loss-of-life, property damage, and accessibility of areas (e.g. condition of highways, bridges, and waterways).

## Hazard Management System ‘Control Loop’

**Hazard Management System ‘Control Loop’**

## Technical Challenges of Sensorweb Development

**Implementation will require research and development of technologies such as:**
- Smart software ‘agents’, data fusion algorithms, and other software capabilities needed for automatic decision-making.
- Interface languages, operational policies, and protocols that enable transparent communications across systems-of-systems.
- Scalability that supports incremental addition and retirement of assets while providing commensurate performance.
- Visualizations that provide human operators with a consistent picture across all layers and components of the architecture.

## Programmatic Challenges of Sensorweb Deployment

**Deployment will require new ways of thinking and doing business for both NASA and the international ES community:**
- Understanding of how to apply the concept for maximum benefit to ES constituents must develop.
- New business models for mission planning, selection, and procurement must be adopted.
- Collaboration from partners and commitment to a long-term strategy will be needed to design sensorweb-capabilities across mission sets.

## The Earth Science (ES) Vision:An intelligent Web of SensorsIGARSS Paper 02_06_08:20

**Eduardo Torres-Martinez – ES Technology Office****Gran Paules – NASA HQ ES Enterprise****Mark Schoeberl – Goddard Space Fight Center ****Michael W. Kalb – Global Science and Technology Inc.**
***http://esto.gsfc.nasa.gov***

***EARTH SCIENCE ENTERPRISE***