NASA’s Earth observation satellite missions monitor critical changes across the planet, including atmospheric aerosols, ocean levels, land cover, sea surface temperatures, and cloud patterns. Maintaining this long-term record for scientists, policymakers, and operational communities requires more than advanced engineering. It also demands careful planning for an uncertain future, including the possibility of mission delays, unexpected in-orbit events, and gaps in satellite data.
Lindsay Jacobson’s research is helping NASA anticipate potential disruptions and develop response options before they affect Earth science data users.
Jacobson, a Pathways engineering intern, supports NASA’s Earth Sciences Division through the NASA Earth Sciences Strategic Integration Environment (NESSIE) team within the Systems Analysis and Concepts Division (SACD) at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia.
NASA’s Pathways program connects undergraduate and graduate students with NASA centers through internships that can lead to full-time public service positions following satisfactory performance. Jacobson has returned to NASA Langley each summer since 2022 while dividing time between the research center and North Carolina State University, where she is completing a doctoral dissertation in mechanical engineering.
“The way we do Earth science is changing.”
Jacobson and the NESSIE team support a broad portfolio of NASA Earth science satellites. These missions measure specific features of the planet, from atmospheric conditions and cloud cover to sea surface temperature, ocean levels, and land use. Their goal is to ensure that scientists and other end users continue receiving the Earth observation data products they depend on. The central challenge is preparing for uncertainty.
“There’s uncertainty about the lifespan of each mission, what may happen in orbit, and how schedules could change,” Jacobson explained. Through a coordinated team effort, NASA senior leaders can better manage that uncertainty. This includes identifying where gaps in satellite coverage could occur and evaluating strategies to prevent or reduce their impact. The initiative helps NASA manage a complex and interconnected Earth observation portfolio while continuing to meet the needs of data users.
As part of this effort, Jacobson is developing analytical tools that provide teams with what she calls “foresight.”
“It’s the ability to anticipate different events and changes across the Earth observation mission portfolio, then have a strategy ready for how to respond so we can continue providing data to end users,” she says.
Not every change represents bad news. A satellite mission may operate well beyond its planned lifespan, creating an opportunity to extend its scientific value. Whether an adjustment is unexpected or beneficial, the principle remains the same: NASA needs to understand its options before a change occurs.
Jacobson compares the process to preparing for hurricane season. “Get the shutters, buy the sandbags, and pre-install them,” she says. “That way, when an alarm goes off, you don’t panic or risk finding that supplies are unavailable. You already have what you need.” NESSIE applies the same logic to NASA’s Earth observation portfolio by assessing the effects of potential disruptions and establishing response plans in advance.
“We proactively suggest strategies and alternatives that can be implemented if changes occur,” Jacobson says. “We do it upfront so people understand their options.”
Her approach also reflects her graduate research on how complex infrastructure systems must evolve over time. Unlike systems that can be dismantled and rebuilt from the ground up, major infrastructure must often be improved while it remains in use. “We designed the grid, and now we’re living with that grid forever,” she says. “You can’t tear it down and build something new. All we can do is modify, extend, and improve what we have.” That same focus on improving existing systems shapes Jacobson’s work supporting NASA’s Earth science missions.
Engineers joining NASA may expect the technical work to be the most challenging part of the job. Jacobson discovered that adapting to a rapidly changing Earth science landscape can be just as demanding.
“The way we do geoscience is changing,” she says. Commercial companies are increasingly providing data alongside government agencies, new space agencies are entering the field, and innovative satellite technologies and mission architectures are emerging. Keeping pace with these developments—and understanding how NASA’s capabilities can best serve communities that rely on Earth observation data—is now an essential part of the work.
That adaptability is also reflected in the increasing use of artificial intelligence tools in her team’s workflows. “Langley has done a lot of firsts,” Jacobson said, recalling comments from NASA Langley Director Trina Dial at a recent intern event. “And we want to continue to be at the forefront. That means learning new things and thinking about how to incorporate them into the way we work.”
The Sirens of Titan by Kurt Vonnegut
Jacobson received the novel in high school but left it on her shelf for years before reading it during the pandemic.
“It was something very special. It explored the meaning of life in a big way, and that connects to some of the reasons I became interested in space in the first place—the idea that space exploration can bring humanity together and offer a cosmic perspective.”
Part of the Systems Analysis and Concepts Division at NASA Langley Research Center.
To learn more about NASA Earth science missions and our work supporting satellite data continuity, please visit our website.
Source: www.nasa.gov