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Review of NASA's Solid-Earth Science Strategy (2004) / Chapter Skim
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Executive Summary
Pages 1-4

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From page 1...
... is an ambitious program of continuous measurements of the changing surface of the earth and its external fields. As explained in the SESWG report Living on a Restless Planet,1 the justification of and motivation for this vision are the scientific and societal benefits that will be derived from NASA's undertaking this program and its unique role in mitigating a broad range of natural hazards.
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From page 2...
... We endorse the SESWG near- and longterm goals of collecting enhanced observations from increasingly dense constellations of satellites in coordinated orbits. Such instrument configurations are needed to separate out large-scale temporal and spatial variations in the external field, to study the effects of dynamo activity in the earth's liquid outer core and the electrical properties of the mantle, and to evaluate the impact of space weather on communications and satellite observations.
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From page 3...
... Rather than simply refining existing techniques, new sensor technologies will be required to enable identification of minerals, rocks, and soils and to monitor landscape change, volcanism, tectonics, and ice dynamics. In addition to airborne and spaceborne hyperspectral capabilities, continued operation of multispectral instruments would help meet a number of scientific objectives, although multispectral equivalent products could be derived from hyperspectral data if choices must be made.
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Key Terms

  • observational strategies
  • restless planet
  • gravity field
  • using imaging
  • imaging spectroscopy

  • scientific objectives
  • surface properties
  • properties using
  • mantle dynamics
  • hyperspectral capabilities

  • gravity measurement
  • increasingly dense
  • interagency organizations
  • societal benefits
  • land topography

  • space weather
  • appropriate gravity
  • nasa reaches
  • addressing major
  • spaceborne hyperspectral

  • sensor development
  • measurement technology
  • space mission
  • refining existing
  • topography mission

  • magnetics scientific
  • associated hazards
  • shuttle radar
  • dynamo activity
  • planned instruments


    • This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
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