Enabling earth science continuity measurements with advanced airborne capabilities

In response to recent guidance from the federal government, NASA has developed a plan - “Responding to the Challenge of Climate and Environmental Change” - to provide measurements and observations of Earth system characteristics that allow continuity in the data sets of climate-related phenomena and processes. Unique measurements from aircraft provide original data as well as data that support satellite measurements. In addition, the National Research Council has made recommendations to provide systematic research using aircraft, thus contributing to the science community´s knowledge of temporal trends. This paper describes NASA´s airborne science capabilities and examples of missions providing temporal data sets contributing to NASA´s data continuity plan.