In recent weeks there has been a "buzz" and angst about NASA's Earth Sciences mission. I am a former NASA Earth scientist and also engage in research within its Earth Science framework. Staring at the ceiling this morning, I realized there are 5 pragmatic reasons NASA should study Earth and they all started with the letter "B." I am not kidding. I have no interest in focusing on political issues surrounding the topic. I just want to lay out my 5 "B" reasons.
Broad. The NASA Earth Science mission is broader than you think. I was a research meteorologist at NASA for 12 years and during much of that time I served as the Deputy Project Scientist for the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission. This satellite is now in orbit and providing critical weather information for forecasters, the weather research community, National Hurricane Center, the military, agricultural organizations, and hazard-emergency management communities. It also provides critical information on how Earth's water cycle is functioning and changing. Yes, this is a part of climate research, but did you notice how many things I mentioned before I got to climate. In partnership with the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency, GPM is providing valuable information to agencies, stakeholders, and countries around the world that do not have robust Doppler radars, rain gauge networks, and resources. Yet, these countries deal with hurricanes, droughts, landslides, and flood threats just like the United States. I encourage you to explore the broad value and reach of NASA's Earth Science missions.
Basis. Observations, modeling advances, and expertise from NASA's Earth Science program are the basis for many aspects of our society. I can point to so many things in your daily lives that are benefiting from NASA Earth Science. Did you consume a weather forecast today? European and U.S. weather models ingest NASA and other satellite data sets into them to improve forecasts. Did you wake up worrying about harmful doses of UV radiation searing your skin? I doubt it. We take for granted that our ozone layer is mending. NASA satellite data helped determine the scale of the ozone hole. I could go on and on with examples like this. But why NASA?
Because. The Space Act of 1958, which created NASA, explicitly says
The aeronautical and space activities of the United States shall be conducted so as to contribute materially to one or more of the following objectives: The expansion of human knowledge of phenomena in the atmosphere and space … The establishment of long-range studies of the potential benefits to be gained from, the opportunities for, and the problems involved in the utilization of aeronautical and space activities for peaceful and scientific purposes… .The preservation of the role of the United States as a leader in aeronautical and space science and technology and in the application thereof to the conduct of peaceful activities within and outside the atmosphere…
The agency has a mandate to study Earth and its atmosphere and always did. Think of an automotive company. It has operational or assembly line functions. It also has a research and development (R&D) component developing future engines and car designs. They have distinct roles that complement each other. NASA is very much the R&D arm exploring new ideas and methods that ultimately benefit more operational agencies like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the military, U.S. Forest Service, and others.
Brainware. This term used by Dr. Tony Busalacchi of UCAR describes the institutional knowledge, expertise, and intellectual property. If various NASA Earth Science missions, science, and capacity are significantly shuttered, we essentially cripple one of the most exemplary science efforts in the history of mankind. NASA's contributions to the study of our planet are held in high regard globally. The greatness of our science, technological, engineering, and math (STEM) position would be weakened on the world stage for years to decades. Why? You can't just ramp back up and retrain the types of engineering, scientific, and computational "brainware" lost in a purge. Building a satellite like GPM that can take "cat-scans" of hurricanes is not something you can learn how to do on You Tube.
Business. NASA's mission has always been more than launching space shuttles and astronauts. What I don't think many people realize is that if you go to any of NASA's 20 centers or facilities (yep, I said 20), you will find a significant number of private contractors working alongside NASA civil servants. NASA's Earth Sciences program is no different. It supports a vibrant and large mix of private jobs, contracts, and services. Private companies build the satellite components, provide launch vehicles, support research, and so forth. The state that you reside in likely benefits too. Many of the research projects at Universities directly benefit from the overhead from NASA funding. Some small business in your state may support a NASA Earth Sciences mission in some way that you never imagined.
Obviously there are more reasons to keep NASA's Earth Sciences program strong than I have discussed herein, but I hope this gives you some insight beyond the "low-hanging" fruit discussions. We currently have no "Plan B" for living on another planet in mass numbers so I kind of like that NASA studies the planet with humans on it too.
