Other Documents and Resources
Key Documents
Decadal Surveys
“Thriving on Our Changing Planet: A Decadal Strategy for Earth Observation from Space,” National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine, 2017 (Second Decadal Survey)
"Thriving on our Changing Planet: A Decadal Strategy for Earth Observation from Space, An Overview for Decision Makers and the Public," National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine, 2019
“Earth Science and Applications from Space: National Imperatives for the Next Decade and Beyond,” 2007, National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine (First Decadal Survey)
Earth Science Division Management Handbook
Active management handbook as of January 2024
Earth Science Senior Review
A Senior Review Panel is convened to evaluate the scientific performance of each mission and the continued relevance of each mission to the NASA Science Strategic Plan. Missions that pass the senior review process may then be extended beyond their primary operational phase into an extended operational phase.
Earth Science Division Annual Reports
- 2016 - NASA Applied Sciences Report (4 MB)
- Earth Science Technology Office Annual Report (2016 - PDF)
NASA SMD Science Plan
- 2014 - Science Plan
- 2010 - SMD Science Plan
- 2007 - 2016 SMD Science Plan
- Summary of the 2007 - 2016 SMD Science Plan
NASA Strategic Plan
Additional Documents
NASA’s Science Mission Directorate commissioned an independent Landsat Mission Alternatives Assessment Team with the express intention of evaluating possible mission designs that align with the administration’s priorities. The team has now delivered its findings to the Science Mission Directorate and the U.S. Geological Survey. The agency is grateful for the team’s work in compiling this information. A summary of the Mission Alternatives Assessment Team's findings can be found here.
Responding to the Challenge of Climate and Environmental Change (PDF)
Civic Scientific Literacy in the United States in 2016 - PDF
Directive on Projects Application Program - Provides guidance to ESD Flight Program Missions/projects (competed and directed) about the required application-focused activities and deliverables.