Opportunities for Space-Based Observations to Advance Priorities for Water Cycle Science and Applications in the Next Decade

To inform the next NASA Earth Science Decadal Survey and help clarify what is most needed now, this effort seeks to identify how Earth observations and water cycle science can be strengthened to better support decision-making and real-world applications. The project will examine how to sustain and enhance the rigor, relevance, and impact of NASA’s water-related observations in a resource-constrained environment.

The project will convene interdisciplinary teams with expertise spanning remote sensing, hydrologic science, modeling and prediction, data science, and decision support. These teams will focus on societally relevant, water-specific priority areas such as drought, water supply and demand, water quality, and flooding. Within each topical area, teams will:

• Evaluate the value of existing data and observational assets
• Assess opportunities enabled by new technologies, partnerships, and approaches
• Identify emerging or evolving science priorities that could improve how space-based observations inform hydrologic science and applications

Insights from these teams, combined with community survey input and cross-team discussions, will help shape not only what the community prioritizes, but how water cycle science can most effectively advance decision-making and applications in the coming decade.