by NASA

“ I. Introduction The U.S. Global Change Research program (USGCRP) , is a key component of the nation's overall approach to global stewardship and is one of the nation's highest priority science programs. ”

“ This program's goal is to provide a sound scientific basis for developing national and international policy relating to natural and humaninduced changes in the Earth system. The ultimate success of the USGCRP depends upon an integrated set of ground-and spacebased observation and research programs. The United States is planning and implementing a series of satellite missions that include NASA's Mission to Planet Earth, related environmental satellites, and activities of other agencies to provide these global observations for the next several decades. ”

“ Provide data to help identify and understand the complex interactions that characterize the Earth system in order to anticipate changes and differentiate between humaninduced and natural processes. Provide for a data system to manage the information collected by SGCOS as an integral part of the Global Change Data and Information System, consistent with the USGCRP data policy. ”

“ The Department of Energy shall participate with NASA and the other appropriate SGCOS agencies in developing satellite systems to maintain data continuity for the understanding of the Earth's radiation budget, consistent with the Space-based Global Change Observation System Program Plan, with an initial capability by 1995. ”