NASA Open Data Policy

NASA Open Data Policy
Name	NASA Open Data Policy
Formed	2013
Jurisdiction	United States
Headquarters	Washington, D.C.
Parent agency	National Aeronautics and Space Administration

NASA Open Data Policy

The NASA Open Data Policy establishes principles and directives for the release, management, and reuse of scientific data collected, produced, or curated by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to maximize public value, foster innovation, and support scientific research. It coordinates with executive guidance from the Office of Science and Technology Policy and legal frameworks such as the Freedom of Information Act and interacts with federal initiatives including the Federal Data Strategy and the Open Government Initiative. The policy aligns NASA data practices with international efforts represented by bodies like the Group on Earth Observations and multilateral agreements such as the Paris Agreement where applicable.

Overview

The policy articulates NASA’s commitment to open access to datasets originating from programs such as Apollo program, Landsat program, Hubble Space Telescope, Terra and Aqua, while balancing considerations from statutes like the Privacy Act of 1974 and agreements with partners including the European Space Agency, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and Centre National d'Études Spatiales. It builds upon precedents from initiatives like the NASA Earth Observing System and programs administered at centers such as Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Goddard Space Flight Center, and Ames Research Center. The policy is situated among broader data movements exemplified by OpenStreetMap, Creative Commons, and the Digital Agenda for Europe.

Scope and Definitions

The policy defines covered assets: observational datasets from missions such as International Space Station, Voyager program, and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter; derived products from programs like MODIS and GRACE; research data produced by centers including Langley Research Center and Marshall Space Flight Center; and metadata catalogues interoperable with registries like Global Change Master Directory. It distinguishes proprietary or sensitive holdings subject to Export Administration Regulations, proprietary agreements with entities such as SpaceX or Boeing, and personally identifiable information protected under the Privacy Act of 1974. Terms like "open", "public", "metadata", and "derived product" reference standards established by organizations such as the World Meteorological Organization and the International Organization for Standardization.

Policy Requirements and Implementation

The policy requires that NASA data be made discoverable, accessible, and reusable, following mandates from the Office of Management and Budget and expectations shaped by reports from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Agencies and programs must produce data management plans consistent with guidance from bodies like the National Science Foundation and funding partners such as the European Research Council. Implementation tasks are carried out at center level by data stewards and program officers, coordinating with enterprise services like Earthdata and repositories similar to Planetary Data System. Exceptions for national security or contractual restrictions are adjudicated with counsel offices and overseen in consultation with entities like the Department of Defense when applicable.

Data Access, Formats, and Standards

NASA prescribes machine-readable access via APIs and distribution formats that adhere to standards promulgated by the International Organization for Standardization, Open Geospatial Consortium, and domain groups including Committee on Earth Observation Satellites. Common formats include NetCDF used by climate communities, HDF employed by missions like MODIS, and GeoTIFF for geospatial raster data, with metadata conforming to schemas such as ISO 19115 and Dublin Core implementations used in portals like NASA Earthdata Search. Interoperability efforts draw on examples from Copernicus Programme, Global Earth Observation System of Systems, and data citation practices recommended by the DataCite consortium.

Compliance, Governance, and Roles

Governance involves NASA leadership, the Chief Data Officer cadre, program managers, and compliance teams working with oversight from the Office of Inspector General (United States). Roles include data stewards at centers including Goddard Space Flight Center and Jet Propulsion Laboratory, who coordinate with legal counsel, contracting officers, and partners such as National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and academic institutions like Massachusetts Institute of Technology and California Institute of Technology. Compliance mechanisms reference audit processes analogous to those used by the General Accountability Office and reporting aligned to the Federal Data Strategy milestones. Training and workforce development draw on resources from entities like the United States Digital Service and professional societies such as the American Geophysical Union.

Impact, Use Cases, and Public Engagement

Open NASA data fuels applications in science and industry, supporting research published in journals like Science and Nature, operational systems used by agencies such as Federal Aviation Administration, and commercial ventures including satellite analytics firms exemplified by Planet Labs and Maxar Technologies. Citizen science platforms such as Zooniverse and educational programs at institutions like University of Colorado Boulder leverage NASA datasets for outreach, while collaborations with initiatives like Google Earth Engine and Amazon Web Services public datasets extend access. The policy amplifies contributions to international assessments like the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and informs policy dialogues at forums such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Category:National Aeronautics and Space Administration