Standing Committee on Earth Science and Applications from Space (CESAS)

The overarching purpose for the committee is to support scientific progress in Earth system science and applications, with an emphasis on research requiring global data that are best acquired from space. The scope for CESAS includes programs that develop a scientific understanding of the Earth system and its response to natural and human-induced changes in order to enable improved prediction of climate, weather, and natural hazards for present and future generations. These programs include an end-to-end approach encompassing observations from space-based and suborbital platforms, data and information management, research and analysis, modeling, scientific assessments, applications demonstration, technology development, and education. CESAS provides an independent, authoritative forum for identifying and discussing issues in earth sciences and applications from space between the research community, the federal government, and the interested public.

The CESAS will also monitor the progress in implementation of the recommendations of the Earth Science and Applications from Space (ESAS) decadal survey----building on the survey that was tasked with generating consensus recommendations from the Earth and environmental science and applications community regarding science priorities, opportunities afforded by new measurement types and new vantage points, and a systems approach to space-based and ancillary observations that encompass the research programs of NASA and the related operational programs at NOAA. The need for careful monitoring is underscored by the fact that developments that could trigger the need for reassessment include cost growth and/or changes of scope in the project baseline.

In fulfilling these responsibilities, the committee may formulate and oversee ad hoc studies related to the implementation of the ESAS survey and on issues in Earth science and applications from space more broadly, including the following:

• The scientific quality and the potential for discovery in the field;
• The scientific impact of a change in the technical design, cost estimate, schedule, or programmatic sequencing of one or more of the decadal survey recommended activities;
• The impact of scientific advances on the technical design, schedule, or programmatic sequencing of one or more decadal survey recommended activities;
• The impact of changing budget priorities, especially those that challenge the fundamental assumptions of the ESAS decadal survey, on the implementation of decadal survey priorities and on Earth science and applications from space research more broadly; and
• The potential impact on a recommended course of action at a decision point described in the decadal survey

The committee is pleased to acknowledge support from NASA for this activity.
 

Meetings and Events

March 6-8, 2013
Washington, DC
View Agenda |View Presentations

July 10-11, 2012
Washington, DC
View Agenda |View Presentations

Current Membership

Mark R. Abbott (Chair), Oregon State University
Joyce E. Penner (Vice Chair,) University of Michigan
Steven A. Ackerman, University of Wisconsin, Madison
Michael D. King (NAE), University of Colorado, Boulder
Antonio J. Busalacchi, Jr. University of Maryland
Lee-Lueng Fu (NAE), Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Chelle L. Gentemann, Remote Sensing Systems
Efi Foufoula-Georgiou, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Stacey W. Boland, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Walter S. Scott, Digital Globe, Inc.
William F. Townsend, Independent Aerospace Consultant
Inez Y. Fung (NAS,) University of California, Berkeley
David L. Skole, Michigan State University
Steven C. Wofsy (NAS), Harvard University
Molly K. Macauley, Resources for the Future
Kenneth C. Jezek, Ohio State University
Lennard A. Fisk (NAS), University of Michigan

View Member Bios

Staff

Arthur Charo, Senior Program Director
Lewis Groswald, Research Associate
Andrea Rebholz, Program Associate

Availailable Presentations

July 2012

Mary Kicza
Michael Freilich

March 6, 2013
Peter Colohan
Mike Freilich
Louis Uccellini
Rich Behnke
Vicki Elsbernd
Sara Ryker

March 7, 2013