Connecting Federal Agencies to Earth Observations: The Impactful Legacy of Data Curation for Discovery

Since its establishment, the Data Curation for Discovery (DCD) project team has strived to improve the discovery of Earth observations, collaborating closely with federal agencies to optimize access to a collection of environmental datasets. Due to the team’s proven expertise in agency engagement and data stewardship, their scope was expanded to become a Satellite Needs Working Group (SNWG) solution. Now, after 10 years of service, DCD will become part of NASA’s SNWG Implementation TEam (NSITE). 

Every two years, SNWG releases a survey to gather information on unmet Earth observation needs across the federal government, and NSITE delivers targeted solutions in response. Across a decade as an SNWG solution, DCD assisted with the evaluation of survey responses and enhanced the discovery and use of other SNWG solutions, while offering critical assistance in NSITE’s engagement with federal agencies.  

Here follows a brief history of DCD and its valuable contributions as an SNWG solution. 

Origins of the DCD Project 

The DCD project originated with the 2014 Climate Data Initiative, which invited private sector entities to use open federal data to advance America’s preparedness for broad environmental challenges. In response, NASA and other federal partners were charged with making data and other resources more open, accessible, and useful to citizens and researchers.  

The initiative resulted in a decision-making toolkit developed collaboratively across federal agencies and scientific disciplines. For each area of risk and vulnerability that was identified, subject matter experts identified more than 700 environmental datasets and other forms of authoritative information.

The DCD project, managed by the Office of Data Science and Informatics (ODSI) at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, was responsible for ensuring that the datasets were openly available through trusted catalogs and platforms such as Data.gov and Geoplatform.gov. DCD also performed metadata quality checks to make resources easier to find and use in these repositories. Through these efforts, the DCD team honed its expertise in collaborating with federal agencies and optimizing discovery of Earth observation data.  

DCD as an SNWG Solution 

Each biennial survey of federal needs by SNWG leads to NASA-developed solutions—including new or modified data products, services, trainings, or other investments—to support informed decision-making across agencies. During the 2016 survey, several agencies identified data discoverability as a key challenge. The DCD team had already proven itself through the 2014 initiative, so SNWG adopted DCD as a solution to make Earth observations and resources easier to find and use and to support survey assessments.  

Supporting the SNWG Survey Assessment  

NSITE coordinates the SNWG survey assessment and oversees the implementation of SNWG solutions. DCD helped NSITE navigate an increase in engagement, with each new cycle drawing a greater number of surveys, participants, and potential solutions. DCD served a vital role in the SNWG assessment, analyzing the evolution of federal agency needs over time, while also streamlining operations with NSITE’s growing demand and workload. 

Analyzing Federal Needs 

The SNWG survey reveals valuable insights about federal needs that decision-makers can use to inform future projects. Each cycle, DCD organized extensive follow-up interviews with agency contacts to better understand their needs and to note potential solutions. DCD also thoroughly analyzed the survey responses to summarize the types of satellite data that agencies requested, to illustrate trends over time, and to generate aggregate statistics reports to inform NASA’s decisions on new data products, research, applications, tools, and priorities.  

For example, the SNWG 2024 assessment identified a strong interest in a 10-meter Harmonized Landsat and Sentinel-2 (HLS) solution. DCD’s survey analysis showed that most stakeholders only required coverage over the U.S., significantly reducing the cost of development and leading to its official selection as an SNWG solution.  

Streamlining Operations 

Because of the number of participants involved, each assessment requires extensive coordination, documentation, and training. DCD contributed to interactive workshops and created comprehensive training materials for participants—including user guides and step-by-step demonstration videos—to offer tailored support and ease the learning curve. DCD also provided technical expertise in the development of custom automations to streamline complex tasks. For example, DCD developed Python notebooks to generate needs statistics, organize materials for participants, and create a master interview schedule to increase efficiency throughout the assessment process.  

Enhancing the Discovery of SNWG Solutions  

While SNWG solutions are closely tailored to federal agency needs, DCD extended the value of these resources by promoting them to the broader community through a variety of avenues. 

In coordination with NASA’s Earth Science Data and Information System (ESDIS), DCD developed and maintained an SNWG Earthdata Search portal to refine access from the full range of data collections available in NASA’s Earthdata Search to SNWG-specific data products, easing the burden of search and discovery for SNWG stakeholders.  

The team also monitored usage metrics for each dataset within the SNWG portal to quantify the spread and value of SNWG solutions and to assist in planning and prioritizing future user engagements. For example, DCD’s usage metrics highlighted the growing number of HLS users, so NSITE organized an HLS Workshop in May 2026 to connect with new stakeholders and showcase innovative uses across public and private sectors.  

DCD also compiled a host of SNWG solution fact sheets, providing ‘one-stop’ informational materials used by NSITE and solution teams for distribution both digitally and at outreach events. These fact sheets are available through the SNWG Solutions webpages maintained by DCD. 

Beginning a New Chapter 

DCD connected users to the Earth observation data they needed and succeeded in keeping data, tools, and resources readily available to federal agencies. The team also played a major role in scaling the growth of SNWG assessments and broadening awareness of solutions.  

“The SNWG assessment is an important and multifaceted process, with 120 NASA, NOAA, and USGS scientists evaluating 125 surveys submitted by nearly 160 subject matter experts across 30 federal agencies. The DCD team provides critical support during every step of the assessment,” said Katrina Virts, NSITE’s Assessment Lead. “Their work is consistently outstanding, and NASA could not provide this level of service to our assessment participants and partner agencies without their support.”   

“In the words of the scientists they serve: ‘tremendous,’ ‘super helpful,’ ‘5 stars,’ ‘provided great support throughout the process,’ ‘fantastic to work with,’ and ‘perfect job,’" Virts added.

Although DCD has been closed out as an official SNWG solution, its legacy will carry on. Now part of NSITE, the DCD team will offer its expertise to advance the mission, foster interactions across the federal government, capture high-priority needs, and formulate impactful solutions.