Welcome to the Summer Meeting for the Earth Science Information Partners (ESIP)! The 2017 theme is Strengthening Ties Between Observations and User Communities. The theme is based on one of the goals in the 2015 - 2020 ESIP Strategic Plan, which provides a framework for ESIP’s activities over the next three years.
Now that smallsats and cubesats have demonstrated the ability to produce science-quality data, new types of observing strategies are possible. Commercial/scientific viability is being demonstrated with PlanetLabs, CYGNSS, TROPIC and others. Specifically, constellations of small, inexpensive satellites can be effectively used to make observations that were impossible with single, large satellites. What new types of phenomena would be observable (think transient and transitional)? What new scientific questions can be answered? How would this data be different than that from a traditional battlestar gallactica? What would it take to permit the integration of such data into a more cohesive picture of the environment? The output of this session would be a concept paper, reflecting the potential opportunities and issues in information output from this type of platform.
