Our data, analysis tools, and analytical methods are used to support satellite architecture studies, determine science mission requirements, inform international collaborations, and support investment decisions such as commercial data purchases.
You can explore examples of the work we do and what we've achieved.
Landsat Next Requirements
Challenge: Over the past 50 years, the Landsat user community has grown exponentially. Understanding community user needs is crucial to informing the design of future Landsat missions. We were tasked to identify user needs to move beyond 'heritage' capabilities of the existing Landsat system to address critical emerging applications.
What we did: We initiated a community-wide user needs collection process, build an analytical tool and supported the Landsat Next Architecture Study Team. We delivered the most comprehensive and data-driven user needs study since the beginning of the Landsat Program.
Results: We identified specific enhancements that are a part of Landsat Next. NASA and USGS are evaluating architecture options based on our user needs and analysis in Landsat Next pre-formulation.
Learn more about the Landsat Next Mission.
United States Group on Earth Observations Reports
2023 Earth Observations Assessment Report: Agriculture & Forestry
Challenge: Provide high level findings and recommendations from the 2023 National Earth Observation Assessment (EOA) for the Agriculture & Forestry Societal Benefit Area (SBA), conducted by the U.S. Group on Earth Observations, an interagency coordination mechanism for Departments and Federal Agencies' civil Earth observations activities.
What we did: Leveraged capacities in collecting and modeling Earth observation data to support a National assessment focusing on the agriculture and forestry sectors
Results: The EOA 2023 Agriculture & Forestry report provides a quantitative assessment of the Nation’s then-current portfolio of Earth observations (data, measurements derived from the systems, platforms, sensors, networks, etc.) that measure the Earth and its processes in support of agriculture and forestry objectives.
Access the 2023 EOA for agriculture and forestry report.
Several USGS observing systems ranked in the top 10 percent of most impactful Earth observation inputs. Visit this
USGS story to learn more about the USGS contributions to Earth observations.
National Earth Observation Assessment: Summary of 2016 Results
Challenge: Provide analytical support in developing the National Earth Observation Assessment (EOA) 2016, conducted by the U.S. Group on Earth Observations.
What we did: Leveraged our capacities in collecting and modeling Earth observation data to support a National assessment under the auspices of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
Results: The EOA 2016 report provided a quantitative assessment of the Nation’s then-current portfolio of Earth observations (data and measurements derived from the systems, platforms, sensors, networks, etc.) that measure the Earth and its processes.
Access the 2016 EOA for agriculture and forestry report.