RAPID: Workshop and Planning Report for GEOScan: a Geosciences Facility from Space

这是一项为期一年的项目设计研究，旨在为拟议中的新NSF研究设施GEOScan进行设计研究。所有相关科学学科的代表都将被确定并参与这项研究，这将为拟议的地球地质扫描项目提供一份概念设计报告。还将通过计划中的社区讲习班寻求对这项研究的广泛科学投入。GEOScan计划背后的想法是利用下一代铱星。从2014年开始，铱星将开始发射下一代通信卫星。新的航天器将取代铱星公司目前的66颗低地球轨道卫星。世界上最大的商业卫星系统。被称为铱星NEXT的新星座将提供一个独特的机会，在通信卫星上承载额外的传感器有效载荷，用于广泛的地球观测和其他科学或操作目标。该星座将提供整个地球表面及其大气的连续实时可见性。GEOScan的计划是在每颗铱星上搭载一个小型科学有效载荷，称为传感器pod。每个传感器pod将由两个系统传感器组成，这些传感器适用于所有有效载荷，另外还有一个额外的传感器将由个人调查员提供。GEOScan的附加（托管）传感器将通过竞争过程进行选择。本研究的主要目标是确定系统传感器，为最具影响力的发现提供全球数据，同时对最广泛的地球科学学科感兴趣。除了科学目标之外，拟议的GEOScan计划还将追求一些更广泛的影响目标。首先，该项目将与工业界建立一种独特的、前所未有的合作，用商业卫星运载科学有效载荷。它还将促进合作，加强大学与跨科学学科的国际研究人员、资助他们的机构和美国航天工业之间的联系。其次，该项目将提供实时地球观测数据，使决策者能够获得可操作的信息。最后，该项目将通过托管传感器项目为下一代仪器工程师和地球科学家提供一线培训机会。

This is a one-year effort to conduct a project design study for a proposed new NSF research facility named GEOScan. Representatives from all relevant science disciplines will be identified and involved in the study, which will result in a conceptual design report for the proposed GEOScan project. Broad scientific input to the study will also be sought through a planned community workshop. The idea behind the proposed GEOScan project is to utilize the next generation of Iridium satellites. Starting in 2014, Iridium will begin launching its next generation of communication satellites. The new spacecraft will replace Iridium's current constellation of 66 low-earth orbit satellites ? the world's largest commercial satellite system. Known as Iridium NEXT, the new constellation will offer a unique opportunity for hosting additional sensor payloads on the communication satellites for a wide range of Earth observation and other scientific or operational objectives. The constellation will provide continuous, real-time visibility over the entire Earth's surface and its atmosphere. The plan for GEOScan is to fly a small scientific payload, called a sensorPOD, on each of the Iridium satellites. Each sensorPOD will consist of two system sensors that are the same for all payloads plus an additional sensor that will be supplied by an individual investigator. The set of additional (hosted) sensors for GEOScan will be selected through a competitive process. The primary goal of this study is to identify system sensors that provide global data for the highest impact discoveries and yet are of interest to the broadest possible range of geoscience disciplines. In addition to the scientific objectives, the proposed GEOScan program will pursue a number of broader impacts goals. First, the project will establish a unique and unprecedented collaboration with industry to carry science payloads on commercial satellites. It will also foster collaborations and strengthen ties between university and international researchers across science disciplines, the agencies that fund them and the American space industry. Secondly, the project will provide real-time Earth observing data that enable policy makers with actionable information. Finally, the project will provide front-line training opportunities for the next generation of instrument engineers and Geoscientists via the hosted sensor program.