Sciences and Exploration Directorate

National Space Science Data Center

The NSSDC provides master catalogs, data standards, and other information services. It oversees the preservation of NASA space science data for the next generation of researchers. The Center ensures access to existing and future NASA space science archives.

Application Controlled Parallel Asynchronous Input/Output

An MPI-based Parallel Asynchronous I/O (PAIO) software package that enables applications to balance compute and I/O resources directly

Atmospheric Lidar for Validation, Interagency Collaboration and Education

ALVICE (Atmospheric Lidar for Validation, Interagency Collaboration and Education) is a ground based mobile lidar that is a roving transfer standard within the Network for the Detection for Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC). The lidar measurements are water vapor mixing ratio, aerosol backscatter, extinction, depolarization, cloud liquid and ice water and rotational Raman temperature measurements. In addition to these lidar-based measurements additional equipment is carried in the trailer to provide balloon borne measurements (Vaisala RS-92 and Cryogenic Frostpoint hygrometer), surface reference measurements of pressure, temperature and RH as well as total column water using GPS.

Cloud Physics Lidar

The Cloud Physics Lidar (CPL) is a backscatter lidar designed to operate simultaneously at three wavelengths: 1064, 532, and 355 nm. The purpose of the CPL is to provide multi-wavelength measurements of cirrus, subvisual cirrus, and aerosols with high temporal and spatial resolution. From the fundamental measurement, various data products are derived, including: time-height cross-section images; cloud and aerosol layer boundaries; optical depth for clouds, aerosol layers, and planetary boundary layer (PBL); and extinction profiles.

Crustal Dynamics Data Information System

The Crustal Dynamics Data Information System (CDDIS) supports data archiving and distribution activities for the following missions within the space geodesy and geodynamics community: ADEOS, ADEOS-2, Ajisai, ALOS, ANDE, ANDE-RRA, BE-C, BLITS, CHAMP, Compass-M1, DIADEM-1C, DIADEM-1D, Envisat, ERS-1 and -2, Etalon-1 and -2, ETS-8, FIZEAU, GEOS-3, GFO-1, GFZ-1, GIOVE-A, GIOVE-B, GLONASS, GOCE, GP-B, GPS, GRACE-A, GRACE-B, ICESat, Jason -1 and -2, LAGEOS-1 and -2, Larets, LRE, Meteor-3, Meteor-3M, Moon reflectors, MSTI-2, OICETS, PROBA-2, Reflector, RESURS, SOHLA-1, SPOT, Starlette, STARSHINE-3, Stella, SUNSAT, TerraASAR-X, TIPS, TOPEX/Poseidon, WESTPAC, ZEIA

Deformation, Ecosystem Structure and Dynamics of Ice

Surface deformation is linked directly to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and landslides. Observations of surface deformation are used to forecast the likelihood of earthquakes occurring as a function of location, as well as predicting both the place and time that volcanic eruptions and landslides are likely. Advances in earthquake science leading to improved time-dependent probabilities would be significantly facilitated by global observations of surface deformation, and could result in significant increases in the health and safety of the public due to decreased exposure to tectonic hazards. Monitoring surface deformation is also important for improving the safety and efficiency of extraction of hydrocarbons, for managing our ground water resources, and, in the future, providing information for managing CO2 sequestration.

Earth Observatory

NASA's Earth Observatory is an interactive Web-based magazine where the science-attentive public can obtain new satellite imagery and scientific information about our home planet. The focus is on Earth's climatic and environmental change. The site is also designed to be useful to public media and educators. Any and all materials published on the Earth Observatory are freely available for re-publication, re-use, or re-broadcast (except in rare cases where copyright is indicated).

Fermi Science Tools

The Fermi mission is providing a suite of tools called the Fermi Science Tools for the analysis of both LAT and GBM data. This suite was developed by the FSSC and the instrument teams, and was reviewed by the Fermi Users' Group.

FITSIO

CFITSIO is a library of C and Fortran subroutines for reading and writing data files in FITS (Flexible Image Transport System) data format. CFITSIO provides simple high-level routines for reading and writing FITS files that insulate the programmer from the internal complexities of the FITS format. CFITSIO also provides many advanced features for manipulating and filtering the information in FITS files.

FV: The Interactive FITS File Editor

Fv is the easy to use graphical program for viewing and editing any FITS format image or table.

Global Change Master Directory

GCMD enables users to locate and obtain access to Earth science data sets and services relevant to global change and Earth science research. The GCMD database holds more than 25,000 descriptions of Earth science data sets and services covering all aspects of Earth and environmental sciences. One can use the search box or select from the available keywords to search for data and services. We encourage your participation in writing and maintaining the information in our databases. You will find authoring tools to assist you. In addition, subscription services are available to notify you of new entries. The Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) International Directory Network (IDN) Interoperability Forum is available to discuss content and database issues.

Goddard Earth Science Data and Information Science Center

We are one of eight NASA Science Mission Directorate (SMD) DAACs that offer Earth science data, information, and services to research scientists, applications scientists, applications users, and students. The GES DISC is the home (archive) of Precipitation, Atmospheric Chemistry and Dynamics, and information, as well as data and information from other related disciplines. The GES DISC is located at Goddard Space Flight Center, in Greenbelt, Maryland.

HEASoft

A Unified Release of the FTOOLS and XANADU Software Packages

Hera -- Astronomical Data Analysis over the Internet

Hera is the new data processing facility provided by the HEASARC at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center for analyzing FITS format. astronomical data files.

Hierarchical Image Segmentation

The Hierarchical Image Segmentation project develops software to partition imagery data into hierarchically related sections or regions.

High End Computer Network

The High End Computer Network (HECN) Team supplies and maintains high performance networks for GSFC users that require advanced network capabilities, along with conducting advanced network technology research and development.

High Energy Astrophysics Science Archive Research Center

The High Energy Astrophysics Science Archive Research Center (HEASARC) is the primary archive for NASA missions dealing with extremely energetic phenomena, from black holes to the Big Bang. Having recently merged with the Legacy Archive for Microwave Background Data Analysis (LAMBDA), it includes data obtained by NASA's high-energy astronomy missions from the extreme ultraviolet through gamma-ray bands, along with missions that study the relic cosmic microwave background.

−/+ Key Staff

- Project Scientist: LORELLA ANGELINI
- Project Manager: ALAN SMALE

HIMALA

This project, referred to as 'HIMALA', studies climate impacts on glaciers in the Himalaya region. It was created in response to the 2008 NASA Decisions Support request for proposals. The overarching purpose of the Applied Sciences Program is to discover and demonstrate innovative applications of NASA Earth science research products and to maximize the benefits of Earth science data.

Hypo-G

The purpose of the EPA Gulf of Mexico Modeling and Monitoring project is to provide the scientific basis to guide a reduction in the frequency, duration, size, and degree of oxygen depletion in the northern Gulf of Mexico as outlined in the recently released Hypoxia Action Plan.

International Chemistry Experiment in the Arctic LOwer Troposphere

A Springtime Study of Aerosol Properties and Atmospheric Chemistry over an Ice-Free Region of the Arctic

International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project

ISCCP was established as part of the World Climate Research Programme to collect and analyze satellite radiance measurements to infer the global distribution of clouds, their properties, and their diurnal, seasonal, and interannual variations. The resulting datasets and analysis products are used to improve understanding and modeling of the role of clouds in climate, with the primary focus being the elucidation of the effects of clouds on the radiation balance. The Global Processing Center for ISCCP is located at the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies.

Invasive Species Forecasting System

The Invasive Species Forecasting System, a partnership between NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey, is a tool for detecting and responding to invasive species on Department of Interior and adjacent lands.

Laser, Vegetation and Ice Sensor

NASA's Laser Vegetation Imaging Sensor( Land, Vegetation, and Ice Sensor) or LVIS, is a scanning laser altimeter instrument that is flown, by aircraft, over target areas to collect data on surface topography and vegetation coverage. The LVIS, which also includes data from an integrated inertial navigation system (INS) and global positioning system (GPS), is designed, developed and operated by the Laser Remote Sensing Laboratory, at Goddard Space Flight Center.

Lunar Data Node

The Lunar Data Node was formed at the NSSDC under the auspices of the PDS Geosciences Node to recover Apollo data, much of which is on old media or in obsolete formats, convert it into usable forms, and make it available online to researchers and mission planners. We are currently restoring data from surface and orbital instruments on Apollos 12, 14, 15, 16, and 17.

Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter

The Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA) will provide a precise global lunar topographic model and geodetic grid that will serve as the foundation of essential lunar understanding. This will aid future missions by providing topographical data for safe landings and enhance exploration-driven mobility on the Moon. LOLA will also contribute to decisions as to where to explore by looking at the evolution of the surface.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Goddard Space Flight Center

For Researchers, Code 600