Evolving the Geodetic Infrastructure to Meet New Scientific Needs

Satellite remote sensing is the primary tool for measuring global changes in the land, ocean, biosphere, and atmosphere. Over the past three decades, active remote sensing technologies have enabled increasingly precise measurements of Earth processes, allowing new science questions to be asked and answered. As this measurement precision increases, so does the need for a precise geodetic infrastructure. Evolving the Geodetic Infrastructure to Meet New Scientific Needs summarizes progress in maintaining and improving the geodetic infrastructure and identifies improvements to meet new science needs that were laid out in the 2018 report Thriving on Our Changing Planet: A Decadal Strategy for Earth Observation from Space. Focusing on sea-level change, the terrestrial water cycle, geological hazards, weather and climate, and ecosystems, this study examines the specific aspects of the geodetic infrastructure that need to be maintained or improved to help answer the science questions being considered. Table of Contents Front Matter Summary 1 Introduction 2 Progress in Maintaining and Improving the Geodetic Infrastructure 3 Sea-Level Change 4 Terrestrial Water Cycle 5 Geological Hazards: Earthquakes and Volcanoes 6 Weather and Climate 7 Ecosystems 8 Priorities for Maintaining and Enhancing the Geodetic Infrastructure Appendix A: Science and Applications Traceability Matrixes Appendix B: Speakers and Workshop Participants Appendix C: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members Appendix D: Acronyms and Abbreviations