Airborne Platforms to Advance NASA Earth System Science Priorities : Assessing the Future Need for a Large Aircraft

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and other U.S. science research agencies operate a fleet of research aircraft and other airborne platforms that offer diverse capabilities. To inform NASA's future investments in airborne platforms, this study examines whether a large aircraft that would replace the current NASA DC-8 is needed to address Earth system science questions, and the role of other airborne platforms for achieving future Earth system science research goals. Table of ContentsFront MatterSummary1 Introduction2 Setting the Stage: The Role of Airborne Platforms in Earth System Science3 The DC-8 Airborne Research Platform4 The Role of Airborne Platforms in Addressing Emerging Science5 Workforce Training and Development6 Recommendations for the Future Need of a Large AircraftReferencesAppendix A: Committee Member BiographiesAppendix B: Statement of TaskAppendix C: AcronymsAppendix D: 2017 Earth Science and Applications from Space Decadal Survey Table 3.2Appendix E: Atmospheric Chemistry Detailed Measurements