DATA AND INFORMATION POLICY

The EOS data policy is designed to be consistent with the U.S. National Data Policy and to further the EOS objectives of acquiring a comprehensive global, long-term data set; maximizing data utility for scientific purposes; and simplifying access to and analysis of EOS data. A common set of data exchange principles will cover the Japanese, European, and U.S. missions comprising IEOS (see the International Cooperation and Mission Elements sections). In realizing this goal, NASA has adopted the following data policy:

• Data from EOS instruments will be acquired according to priorities recommended by IWG and EO-ICWG, and confirmed by NASA Headquarters.

• Where EOS sensors make site-specific observations, EOS will be an "acquire-on-demand" system. Data will only be taken in cases where there is an identified user who has requested and will analyze the data.

• All acquired EOS data will be processed at Level 0 or at a higher level from which Level 0 may be recovered.

• Raw data from instruments designated as having operational potential will be made available to NOAA as soon as they are received on the ground.

• Routine processing and reprocessing of EOS data by the EOS Project to standard products at Levels 2 and above will be done according to science requirements and using algorithms approved by IWG.

• Following the post-launch checkout period, all Level 0 data will be available within 21 hours of receipt on the ground. Level 1 standard products will be processed and made available by EOSDIS within 24 hours after the Level 0 input data are available; Levels 2 and 3 standard products will be made available within 24 hours after receipt of the required input data. These higher level products will be archived.

• EOS data and products will be available to all users; there will be no period of exclusive access.

• All data requests for approved research, non-commercial operational, and applications demonstration purposes will incur a modest charge consistent with the actual marginal costs of filling the request. This system will ensure reasonable allocation of EOSDIS resources, while not discouraging full use of EOS data. Data will be provided for other uses, including commercial activities, on the same time scales and at non-discriminatory prices and terms to be established by the relevant instrument provider and platform operator.

• EOSDIS will provide the capability for archiving and making available all science data products, models, algorithms, and documentation generated as part of the EOS mission. All products derived from EOS data provided for research purposes at the marginal cost of filling the user request, and which are the basis for refereed articles--including models, algorithms, and associated documentation--must be made available to the research community.

• EOSDIS will include and make available information about the data, such as quality assessments, supporting literature references, and catalog and directory entries.

• EOSDIS project management, in consultation with IWG, will establish protocols and standards to encourage and facilitate data software exchange and interoperability.

Four general categories of users are expected to access EOS data: Research users, including U.S. Government-sponsored and other researchers; non-commercial operational and environmental monitoring public sector agency users (e.g., NOAA and EUMETSAT); applications demonstrations (limited proof-of-concept resulting in a published technical report); and other users (primarily commercial).

Research Users. These users will be designated through an A0 or similar mechanism based on a brief proposal describing the research activity. Designated research users, whether funded by the EOS Program or through other channels, must sign a "research agreement" and are granted access to the data appropriate for the proposed research from EOS and its foreign partner programs at no more than the marginal cost of filling the specific user request. The research agreement includes a brief description of the proposed research and confirms that the data are to be used in a study or investigation 1) that aims to establish fans or principles; 2) where the data may not be sold, and may be reproduced or provided only to other researchers covered by a research agreement and for whom the researcher takes responsibility; 3) where the results of the research will be submitted for publication in the scientific literature; and 4) where detailed results--including data, algorithms, and models--will be made available to the research community at the time they are accepted for publication.

Public Sector Agency Users. Operational and environmental monitoring involves non-commercial routine use of data to carry out a mandate of environmental observation and prediction as part of an agency's responsibilities to provide for the general welfare. Such users include those Government agencies affiliated with the parties that conduct environmental monitoring and/or operational observations, and can include larger agencies to which the parties belong, such as the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Operational agencies may obtain real-time access through their own direct readout facilities and/or via relay satellites, or as available from the appropriate data and information systems. Operational users may be asked to report periodically on their activities.

Applications Demonstrations. Users who fall into this category are involved in limited proof-of-concept studies to demonstrate new techniques or to test the feasibility of operational applications.

Results of applications demonstrations must be published as technical reports and be provided to the data system that supplied the data. Data requests for applications demonstrations must include a brief proposal describing the intended use. Selected users will be required to sign an agreement confirming that the data will be used only for the proposed applications demonstration, that the data will not be used for commercial purposes, that the data will not be reproduced or provided to third parties without permission, and that the results will be published as a technical report.

Commercial Users. Commercial agreements will be established for each sensor or data set to serve users who do not fit into one of the above categories. Procedures will be in place prior to EOS launch for commercial distribution of all EOS data on a non-discriminatory basis for "other" users.

The data exchange principles described above will be included in each of the bilateral Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) that NASA will have with its international partners, and a joint implementation plan is being developed to define the implementation of these principles in the participating agencies.