Exploring the Unknown - NASA's History Office

sought if they do not increase risk to data continuity, and are attainable within
agreed-to funding. Potential improvements could include features such as
improved spatial or spectral resolution, stereoscopic viewing and other capabilities
that could improve the operational utility of the data.
• Evaluate the need, and alternative means, for implementing follow-on satellite
systems and improvements beyond Landsat 7. This would include evaluation of
potential changes in program management, funding responsibilities, data management/utilization,
system configuration and operational concepts, as well as
use of advanced technologies to improve performance and reduce cost.
Program Management Responsibilities
• DoD will have the lead responsibility for the acquisition and launch of the
Landsat 7 satellite, and with NASA and Department of Energy (DoE) participation,
will prepare a technology demonstration plan for post-Landsat 7 satellites.
In addition, the DoD Project Office will provide general systems level engineering
and integration services in support of both the NASA and DoD Project
Managers. The DoD portion of the program will be administered under the
Director, Defense Support Project Office, as part of the Defense Reconnaissance
Support Program. NASA will provide appropriate participation in the responsible
DoD project office as required.
[3] • NASA will have the lead responsibility for the development and operation of the
Landsat ground system, including data processing, archiving, distribution, user
support and mission operations management. The NASA portion of the program
will be administered under the Director, Earth Science and Applications Division,
Office of Space Science and Applications in coordination with the Mission to
Planet Earth Program. DoD will provide appropriate participation in the responsible
NASA project office as required.
• A jointly chaired Landsat Coordinating Group (LCG) will be formed, with appropriate
representation from both NASA and DoD. The group will be responsible
for coordinating top-level program plans, budgets and policies; handling interagency
matters related to the program; staffing any issues requiring adjudication
at senior departmental levels; and coordinating reports to Congress and other
tasks related to the program. Participation of other government agencies in LCG
activities will be sought as appropriate.
• The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Command, Control, Communications and
Intelligence and the NASA Associate Administrator for Space Science and
Applications will be the senior agency officials responsible for program oversight
and issue resolution. In addition, the Director, Defense Research and
Engineering (DDR&E), the NASA Associate Administrator of Aeronautics and
Space Technology, and the Director of the DoE Office of Space will be consulted
on matters related to advanced technology.
Funding Responsibilities
EXPLORING THE UNKNOWN 349
• NASA and DoD will each fund that portion of the program for which it is responsible.
Thus DoD will fund the procurement and launch of the Landsat 7 satellite,
and NASA will fund satellite operations, data processing, archiving, and data distribution
(including any ground hardware and facilities that are required). A
mutually acceptable cost baseline will be developed, with each agency’s total funding
responsibility approximately equal as spread across the development and
operational life of Landsat 7. Any significant funding disparities incurred in program
planning or execution will be resolved through mutually acceptable