Article Posted on : - May 14, 2009

NASA logo. A File Photo

WASHINGTON (BNS): Twenty years ago NASA embarked on a revolutionary new mission for its Earth science program: to study our home planet from space as an inter-related whole, rather than as individual parts.

NASA is holding a symposium from June 22-24 to examine the accomplishments of 20 years of NASA's Earth system science program and discuss what discoveries and opportunities lay ahead.

The symposium is sponsored by the Earth Science Division of NASA's Science Mission Directorate and co-hosted by the National Academy of Sciences' Ocean Studies Board, Space Studies Board, and Board on Earth Sciences and Resources.

NASA's current Earth system science program -- which includes the Earth Observing System suite of satellites, a data distribution network, advanced computer modeling capabilities, and basic research -- originated with the landmark 1988 report led by Francis Bretherton titled "Earth System Science: A Closer View." That vision laid the groundwork for advances in global climate change and understanding natural and human-induced changes in the land surface, atmosphere, oceans, biosphere and Earth's interior that affect all aspects of life.

The symposium will feature more than 20 invited talks on scientific breakthroughs, future directions in Earth system science, and the evolution of NASA's Earth system science program. In addition, press briefings will be held on new developments in societal applications of Earth system science and promising new directions in the field.