An all-day meeting from 9 a.m. until approximately 4:30 p.m. will be held to discuss the concept and approach for the Space Science Data System (SSDS), and to receive feedback and input from potential participants in the activity.
The NASA Space Science Enterprise plans to establish a unified Space Science Data System (SSDS) to improve the quality, accessibility, and useability of NASA's space science data holdings for scientists, educators, and the general public. This will build on and evolve in phases from the current configuration of distributed data systems closely associated with the science community.
The formulation and implementation of the SSDS will be led by the science community and draw upon advances in technology to enhance effectiveness and quality of service.
NASA is pleased with expressions of interest to date in this activity, primarily from current data system providers, and looks forward to their participation at the open meeting. NASA also welcomes participation at this meeting from the broader set of communities that have a stake in the endeavor, including active science users, the private sector, technology innovators, educators and the general public.
A Space Science Strategic Plan is currently being developed by the Office of Space Science (OSS) to integrate roadmaps for each of its four science themes into an overall plan with corresponding priorities. Both research infrastructure and technology programs will need to be adjusted accordingly to best accommodate the OSS strategic plan and priorities. The space science data system infrastructure is one such area with an anticipated need to move toward a unified environment allowing seamless access to data holdings, as well as enabling interdisciplinary research across the traditional space science disciplines.
In addition, a recent report of an ad hoc Task Group on Science Data Management recommended a unified Space Science Data System, as well as reaffirming the guiding principles and practices for effective science data management. The report of this group chaired by Dr. Jeffrey Linsky of the University of Colorado is available electronically at the following address: http://adc.gsfc.nasa.gov/~gass/linsky/report_available.html.
Further motivation and challenge is provided by the need to extend the level and quality of science operations (including science data product generation, archiving, and dissemination) within constrained budgets. Again, it is vital that our customers be actively involved in making these determinations, alternatives, and trades and we encourage your participation.
The meeting will be conducted as an interactive forum to identify and discuss the key technical and management issues associated with achieving the envisioned SSDS. The concept and approach for SSDS will be presented, as well as a synopsis of the current OSS data environment. Formal presentations will be limited, however in order to preserve the majority of time for discussion, feedback, and input from the audience.
The results of the collective discussions will be considered in refining the process and sequence of events for planning and implementing the SSDS. A planning and implementation strategy will be distributed shortly after the meeting to all participants, as well as more broadly to the science community and other prospective partners.
To help with logistics and meeting arrangments, please register your intent to attend via email to joe.bredekamp@hq.nasa.gov. Please also include your e-mail, surface mail, and telephone and fax numbers for receiving material prior to the meeting. We also welcome any other comments, questions, and/or suggestions and they should be directed to Joe Bredekamp at that address.