A new Space Act Agreement between NASA and Esri, a major provider of geographic information system (GIS) software, location intelligence, and mapping, further expands global access to NASA's geospatial content for research and exploration—including new datasets from nearly 100 space-borne sensors. Through the agreement, NASA data will be increasingly available to more than 10 million users of GIS software in ArcGIS and open geospatial consortium (OGC)-based formats.
The vision of NASA's Earth Science Data Systems (ESDS) Program is to identify and deliver high-value Earth science data in formats compliant and compatible with GIS standards; to ensure data are interactive, interoperable, accessible, and GIS-enabled through primary GIS platforms; and to provide the maximum impact to research, education, and public user communities requiring data visualization and spatial analysis.
“We want NASA data to be used by the broadest possible audience for societal benefit,” said the NASA ESDS Program’s Dr. Gerald Guala. “We appreciate Esri's vast community and are proud to take another step forward in making Earth science data more accessible.”
Partner efforts under the Agreement also will add to existing NASA data in Esri's Living Atlas of the World, including maps and apps.
Learn More
- Esri announcement
- GIS at NASA
- Earthdata GIS Team (EGIST)