The use of standards and templates enables interoperability among data systems as future missions and data providers join the NASA Earth science network of data systems.

All NASA Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) documentation and standards are managed through the configuration control process involving review and comments from all affected organizations. Additional standards and conventions approved for use in NASA's Earth science data systems are managed by NASA's Earth Science Data and Information System (ESDIS) and the ESDIS Standards Coordination Office (ESCO).

Standards and Templates by Data Source

Orbital Missions and Airborne Investigations

Access information about standards and templates for data submitted from orbital missions, Earth Venture projects, or airborne and field investigations.

• Inter-Project Agreement (IPA) Template (PDF, 753KB)
• Open Science and Data Management Plan (OSDMP)
• Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document (ATBD) (examples)
• Program Level Requirements Appendix (PLRA) Spaceborne Mission/Instrument Science Data Requirements Template Version 5 (orbital) (PDF, 289KB). Previous versions below.
• Earth Science Division (ESD) Airborne Investigation Data System Requirements (EVS, airborne) (PDF)
• Preservation Content Specification (PCS)
• Science Data Processing Team-DAAC ICD (example) (PDF)

Competitive Programs and Other Data Products

Access information about standards and templates for data submitted from a competitive program, application, or ad hoc investigation.

• Create and maintain an Open Science and Data Management Plan (OSDMP)
• Cooperative Agreement
  • Advancing Collaborative Connections for Earth System Science (ACCESS) template (PDF)
  • Citizen Science for Earth Systems Program (CSESP) template (PDF)
• Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document (ATBD) (examples)
• Interim/Annual Reports template
  • ACCESS template (PDF)
  • CSESP template (PDF)

General Data Policies and Specifications

• Data Information Policy
• Earth Science Data Systems Level of Service Model
• ESDIS Standards, Requirements and References
• EOSDIS Terminology Specification (PDF)
• Open-Source Software Policy
• Open Source Software Development Plan Guidelines (PDF)