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Airborne Platforms to Advance NASA Earth System Science Priorities Assessing the Future Need for a Large Aircraft (2021) / Chapter Skim
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1 Introduction
Pages 13-16

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From page 13...
... Accurate predictions require developing the understanding that is required to make predictions -- that is, understanding Earth system predictability, which comes only from fundamental, curiosity-driven, and applied research in Earth system science. This report focuses on the airborne observation component of an integrated approach to Earth system science research, particularly that of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
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From page 14...
... These science areas include coupling of the water and energy cycles; physics and dynamics for improving weather forecasts; air quality and atmospheric chemistry -- chemistry coupled to dynamics; ecosystem change -- land and ocean; sea level rise in a changing climate and coastal impacts; and surface dynamics, geological hazards, and disasters. Building on this, the committee also considered how large aircraft can enable expanding use of interdisciplinary research approaches.
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From page 15...
... BOX 1.1 STATEMENT OF TASK The National Academies will appoint an ad hoc committee to conduct a study to inform NASA's future investments in suborbital airborne facilities, with a particular focus on the role of "large" airborne facilities, such as the current NASA DC-8, whose lifetime is limited and for which a potential replacement in the 2025 time frame may be required. In addition, there is interest in how newly available platforms (currently flying, or on track toward availability for scientific use with all necessary development funding in place)
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From page 16...
... Chapter 3 then provides an overview of the evolution of DC-8 usage and how long-range, heavy-lift aircraft have enabled science. Chapter 4 discusses how airborne platforms have advanced science within the six focal science areas listed earlier in this chapter and whether a large aircraft is needed in the future to address the ESAS questions.
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Key Terms

  • science questions
  • science priorities
  • earth science
  • airborne component
  • integrated studies

  • accurate predictions
  • future earth
  • decadal survey
  • questions posed
  • nasa airborne

  • alternative airborne
  • suborbital airborne
  • airborne observation
  • uncrewed airborne
  • esas decadal

  • technology balloons
  • committee solicited
  • state based
  • future investments
  • upper troposphere

  • changing climate
  • technology advancements
  • particular focus
  • additional benefits
  • sustainable environment

  • lower stratosphere
  • panel discussions
  • applications activities
  • predictions require
  • studies addressing


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