The Earth Science Vision

One key goal of NASA´s Earth Science Enterprise is answering the question: What will sustain the habitability of Earth? To bring this question into focus, and to chart a course to our future, the Earth Science Vision Initiative (ESVI) was established to develop the Earth Science Vision (ESV), a series of key science and application targets which can be achieved in the 2020 time frame and beyond. Assuming a strong partnership with operational and other national agencies, the ESVI has formulated science, technology and information science investment priorities needed to reach the targets. For identified applications, critical technology is paired with required measurements to reach the target. ESVI also takes into account commercial and other agency investments in technology as part of its strategy. It is intended that the ESV process be ongoing with a review of progress toward goals and identification of new targets taking place on an annual basis. The ESV, as it exists today, is a starting point for discussions with other governmental and non-governmental entities. These entities need to reach consensus on participation and the broad requirements needed to reach the Earth science and applications goals