Space, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences

SAIC supports NASA, NOAA, EPA, USGS, other Federal agencies, and a diverse set of commercial and international customers in a broad range of space, earth, ocean, and atmospheric sciences. Our strong focus on global change and meteorological research includes both scientific research and the development of data systems that support that research. Our capabilities cover software development, satellite data acquisition, instrument calibration, science data systems, information management, and global modeling. Program support involves technology assessments, advanced mission planning, and space technical studies. SAIC also is involved in environmental modeling and engineering management.

Space, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences is comprised of the following solutions:

Aircraft Campaigns and Field Studies
SAIC provides logistical support services for field missions around the world, involving the movement of research aircraft, instrumentation and ground support facilities. Mission duration may vary from a few days to several months. SAIC's field mission specialists take care of advance preparations for equipment transport, in-country support and supply, diplomatic coordination and travel and accommodations for all mission participants aircraft campaigns and field studies.

Atmospheric Sciences
SAIC is involved in a variety of research projects on atmospheric processes. We have processed and analyzed visible and infrared data from the Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) to develop and study the radiation budget of the Earth. Data from the Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) experiment, launched on the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission in 1997, the EOS Terra satellite in 1999, and the Aqua satellite in 2002, are leading to a better understanding of the role of clouds and the energy cycle in global climate change. SAIC has been involved in atmospheric chemistry and aerosol modeling research using data from a variety of ground-, aircraft-, and satellite-based sensors.

Global Change Research
SAIC is a major participant in the development of measurements and modeling techniques to accurately describe the global climate and the Earth's environment. SAIC is currently supporting NASA and NOAA in many important programs predicting global change. Major contract efforts are ongoing at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA's Langley Research Center, and the NOAA/ National Centers for Environmental Prediction. Efforts include the operation of several supercomputer-based general circulation models.

Infrared Astronomy
From 1989 to 1996, SAIC provided science analysis support for the Diffuse Infrared Background Experiment and Far Infrared Absolute Spectrometer aboard NASA's Cosmic Background Explorer. The work included development and testing of science, calibration, quality control and statistical algorithms, and certification of data products. SAIC staff were given the responsibility of leading science analysis efforts, and were co-authors on 26 peer-reviewed publications. These collective contributions to the success of the mission were recognized by NASA awards for Group Achievement.

The advent of infrared arrays has revolutionized the field of infrared astronomy. SAIC staff have participated in this revolution by using imaging and spectroscopic arrays to carry out research in fields such as studies of the coolest stars and the evolution of radio galaxies. Parts of this research involved the use of prototype arrays, and SAIC researchers teamed with instrument engineers at national astronomy facilities to develop improved calibration algorithms and analysis to improve understanding of the performance of the SE arrays.

Instrument Calibration and Characterization
SAIC supports NASA's Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), a key instrument in NASA's Mission To Planet Earth program. MODIS acquired its first image from the Terra satellite on February 24, 2000 and a twin instrument was launched on the Aqua satellite on May 4, 2002. MODIS observations cover the globe every one to two days, providing measurements of the land, ocean, and atmosphere over 36 spectral bands for the study of biological and physical parameters.

SAIC supports pre- and post-launch instrument characterization and the development, integration, testing, and maintenance of the Level-1B software that calibrates the 490 MODIS detectors. The MODIS calibration approach spans optical and thermal emissive bands using data from the on-board Calibrators (Solar Diffuser, Solar Diffuser Stability Monitor, Spectroradiometric Calibration Assembly, and Black Body) and observations of the Moon.

SAIC also supports NASA's Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) and the Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) instruments by providing gain and offset values which are used in the instrument's governing equations to provide the radiative flux measurements. Both experiments are earth observing, thermal remote sensing, multi-satellite systems which rely on both ground based and in-flight calibrations. ERBE covers the total, longwave and shortwave spectral regions, while CERES covers the total, shortwave, and window (water vapor) regions. SAIC performs the reduction and analysis of the ground-based and in-flight calibration data, and the subsequent derivation of the gain and offset terms to ensure that the integrity of the reduced data is maintained in accordance with international thermal standards. This includes any dynamic modifications to the governing equations necessary to correct for unforeseen phenomena or events.

Meteorology
For more than a decade, SAIC has provided support in the analysis, preparation, review, and development of hydrometeorological techniques for the implementation of the National Weather Service's Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System. For the National Centers for Environmental Prediction, SAIC staff is developing an enhanced processing system; adding new functions and ensuring that system production code is robust. SAIC also provides highly specialized modeling and simulation, scientific programming, and technical support to NCEP's Environmental Modeling Center. We play an essential role in the maintenance and enhancement of complex atmospheric models and the large observational data sets required to initialize and verify model forecasts.

Oceanography
SAIC studies ocean processes using data from space. SAIC has used NOAA AVHRR, GOES VISR, and SEASAT IR to establish the global sea-surface temperature distribution that is useful in climate studies, and to establish the sea-surface temperature distribution in ocean events and currents such as the Gulf Stream off the east coast of the United States, the Loop Current in the Gulf of Mexico, warm core rings, cold core rings, and boundary eddies. SAIC has also used Coastal Zone Color Scanner data for oceanography studies.

Remote Sensing
SAIC's satellite remote sensing expertise includes instrument development, characterization and calibration algorithm development, instrument modeling, development of operational monitoring systems, development of Level-1 through Level-3 data processing systems, Computer-Aided Systems Engineering tools to optimize software, geographical information systems combined with remote sensing data, and geolocation. NASA programs include the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment instrument, Coastal Zone Color Scanner, AVHRR/Pathfinder, the Halogen Occultation experiment instrument on the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite, the Earth Radiation Budget Experiment, the Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System, the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission, the Sea-Viewing Wide-Field-of-View Sensor, and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer.

Research Management and Peer Review
SAIC provides technical support to the Space Station Payloads Office at NASA's Johnson Space Center, which is responsible for representing all US user research requirements to the International Space Station program office and for managing development of facility-class payloads. In another area of expertise, SAIC provides peer review support to the NASA Headquarters Office of Space Science and Office of Mission to Planet Earth. For peer review support, SAIC participates in the full range of tasks performed in the solicitation, review and selection of research investigations for NASA funding.

Satellite Image Analysis
SAIC conducts research using images derived from various satellite sensors, including the Coastal Zone Color Scanner and the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer. Activities have included development of image analysis software, acquisition and use of remotely sensed data from satellites and aircraft, acquisition and use of oceanographic and meteorological data, and development of a PC-based image analysis system. SAIC also developed SeaDAS, an ocean image analysis system, and the Pathfinder AVHRR Land processing system.

Space Artwork
Paintings, illustrations, conceptual designs, blueprints and computer-generated imagery are the products of one of the leading space artists in the world, SAIC art director Mr. Pat Rawlings. His work has been reproduced in hundreds of magazines and books, as well as in motion pictures and video. This artwork reflects the last decade of space exploration plans, ranging from robotic planetary missions to the human exploration of Mars and other planets.

Space Mission Planning
SAIC has been involved since 1973 in the advanced planning of space missions through a continuous series of contract awards. SAIC has provided mission planning expertise to NASA Headquarters and virtually all the research centers for robotic missions to all the planets, satellites, and small bodies of the solar system and for missions of human exploration of the Moon and Mars. Areas of study and analysis include trajectory optimization, instrument and spacecraft design feasibility, mission options and performance expectations, system design analysis, advanced propulsion, mission development and life cycle cost estimation, resource utilization, risk assessment, and environmental impact analysis.

Trajectory Optimizer – a sophisticated tool for interplanetary mission design developed by Science Applications International Corporation. For the fast trajectory calculations and payload assessments commonly required for preliminary design evaluation and trade studies, Trajectory Optimizer is ideal. Design a mission to any solar system target: select from flyby, rendezvous, orbiter, or round trip (or solar system escape).

Trajectory Optimizer is available in two different versions. Both versions include animated graphics showing the trajectory path and the motion of the pertinent bodies.