# Presentation: 694559

## MODIS Science Team Meeting:Parting Thoughts

**Paula Bontempi**
- MODIS Program Scientist
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration HQ
- MODIS/VIIRS Science Team Meeting
- 13-16 May 2008

## Missions to Measurements: Thoughts

- Continuing/evolving measurement streams, there will be one science team, competed periodically, that provides scientific guidance to present and future missions and for the utilization of past data sets
- EOS Recompete:  Three categories
- 3.1 - EOS Instrument-specific Algorithm Refinement and Cal/Val Activities
- 3.2 - Algorithm Refinement and Cal/Val for Earth System Data Records
- Potential incorporation of NPP responsibilities
- 3.3 – Science Data Analysis – opportunity for new science and data products
- One data system to ensure a “seamless” time series
- Scientific guidance and priorities must represent broad user community
- Blending of instrument science teams (MODIS, ASTER, CERES) to discipline (land/ocean/atm) or measurement teams (cryo under land?)
- Terra and Aqua Science Team Meetings – interdisciplinary science team meeting that focuses on science questions that require properties of the Earth System from multiple sensors – 6 month time frame, perhaps November?
- Evolution of efforts to support current missions, prepare for NPP/NPOESS era (and any associated NASA responsibilities – research quality data?) as well as any future DS missions being planned or under study

## Future Research....ESDRs: Thoughts

- Utilize MODIS (and EOS) data products to create new scientific understanding of planet Earth and how it is changing – and new applications of this knowledge for decision support
- Systematic observations from current NASA sensors (MODIS) – what products are key for climate and Earth System research
- e.g., TOA radiances or aerosol optical depth?
- Need for white papers (e.g. land community)
- Gaps in systematic obs vs. new obs needed (DS Role/timeline?)
- Future Sensors – VIIRS (NPP – 2010; NPOESS C1 - 2013) – agency that has responsibility for climate?  What 	products?  Requirements/Funds for data (re)processing, 	calibration, validation?  New science challenges?

## New EOS Data Product Review Needed

**We need:**
- A plan for review of algorithms for the new and alternative EOS algorithms
- Current algorithms/products – Algorithm refinement PIs to provide
- compelling justification for the importance/utility of the algorithm and (as needed) improvements;
- plan for transition to core production (recognizing infusion of new knowledge)
- data product documentation broadly reviewed by user communities (web-based posting for review/comments?)
- regular data product/algorithm reviews – maintain, refine, review as needed
- New algorithms/data products – draft new proposal, documentation and requirements, follow with review and endorsement by user communities
- Assess quality and importance of data product suites (and their components)
- Prioritize EOS data products relative to each other and relative to other needs of the community they serve
- Recommend changes, improvements, level of service by data systems and archives
- Must involve community (peer review by mail, panel, telecon)
- Must take into account NASA (or other) resources / program components required to support the products; involve data system and archive management, NASA HQ Focus Area Leads (program/project managers

## Mission Extension/Senior Review Process

- Effort coordinated by Steve Volz at NASA HQ
- Process for extending missions beyond the prime life
- 2-year cycle
- Up for renewal in April 2009:
- Terra (CERES, MOPITT, MISR, ASTER, MODIS)
- Aqua (AIRS, MODIS, AMSR-E, CERES)

## Future Research....Accomplishments: Thoughts

- Tremendous disciplinary and interdisciplinary science progress
- Intrasensor (MODIS) interdisciplinary and intersensor challenge
- Public outreach
- Newsworthy publications
- NASA Science Update – interdisciplinary with a flavor of Applied? Perhaps high latitude or IPY?
- Inspiration for the next generation of explorers and researchers
- DAACs – reaching the research communities, operational managers, and public
- Connection to international programs and partners – missions and international programs (e.g., GEOSS, CEOS)
- Coordination telecons by discipline?  Suggested at MCST session.