Remote sensing data availability from the Earth Observation System (EOS) via the Distributed Active Archive Center (DAAC) at NSIDC

In 1989 NSIDC was invited to become one of eight Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAACs) in the Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS). The Earth Observing System (EOS) is a long-term interdisciplinary and multi-disciplinary research effort to study global-scale processes that shape and influence the Earth as a system. Recent deliberations within the EOS community is fostering change in the originally planned EOSDIS structure towards a federated system. This paper reports on the current status of the federated approach to EOSDIS, and offer an assessment as to the impact this will have on provision of remote sensing data from EOS sensor systems to the polar research community.