NASA's Decade for Ocean Observing from Space

Summary and Expectations

The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) welcomes OceanObs’19 participants to a dialogue about NASA’s ocean observation plans for the 2020’s. A panel will share highlights of NASA’s on-orbit oceanography missions, upcoming launches – the Surface Water Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission and the Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, and ocean Ecosystem (PACE) mission, airborne field campaigns – the Oceans Melting Greenland (OMG) project and the Sub-Mesoscale Ocean Dynamics Experiment (S-MODE) project. If time allows, broader links to NASA’s ocean-related science team activities will be discussed. Topics will be presented as “flash” talks by a panel followed by audience questions and discussion with the panelists.

Expected Outcomes/Recommendations

• Feedback processes with identified users and resource stakeholders are needed from the beginning, and should be reviewed on an ongoing basis to identify what is fit-for-purpose for users and societal benefit (and to adjust as needed).
• Case studies can highlight the value of ocean observing information products so that nations will want to commit to sustained ocean observing activities.
• Take into account existing pieces, commitments and regulations for developing a fit-for-purpose ocean observing system.