The NASA Mass Change Designated Observable Study: Overview, Progress, and Future Plans

摘要

The 2017–2027 US National Academy of Sciences Decadal Survey for Earth Science and Applications from Space classified mass change as one of five designated observables having the highest priority in terms of Earth observations required to better understand the Earth system over the next decade. In response to this designation, NASA initiated multi-center studies with an overarching goal of defining observing system architectures for each designated observable. Here, we discuss the progress made and future plans for the Mass Change Designated Observable study. Progress includes the development of a Science and Applications Traceability Matrix, as well as the definition of different architectural classes from which mass change can be measured. The development of a Value Framework is in progress to assess and evaluate each observing system architectural option.