Science & cooperation
Programs
Our portfolio connects environmental research, common standards and scientific exploration. Each program has a defined purpose and contributes to a shared public record.
Earth Environmental Monitoring
Understand change at a site and across a planet.
The program combines satellite, airborne and field measurements of water, forests, coastal systems and atmospheric conditions. Teams preserve the conditions surrounding a measurement so later researchers can distinguish environmental change from a change in the instrument or method.
Work includes regional drought and soil-moisture assessments, coastal water-quality observations, wildfire smoke records and long-term station maintenance. Arbor and Boreal provide two complementary research campaigns.
Celestial Standards
Make independent observations comparable.
The program maintains astronomical reference frames, measurement comparisons and navigational data products. Reference revisions carry documented uncertainty and remain linked to previous versions. Teams preserve the original observations and the decisions behind a revised reference.
Meridian supports cross-observatory calibration and comparison. Training covers coordinate references, time standards and the limits of transforming an older record.
Expedition Science
Investigate planetary environments.
Scientific mission selection starts with a research question and a review of whether an instrument or expedition can answer it. Teams prepare payloads and crews, coordinate observation and sampling, and plan publication. Environmental responsibility and operational limits form part of the review.
Avenra is one mission within the portfolio. Its earlier daylight reconnaissance informs remote observations and surface field planning.
Global Research Infrastructure
Sustain the systems that research relies on.
The program coordinates shared field stations, laboratory access, data services and technical training with regional partners. Work includes facility operating agreements, instrument comparison and preservation of long records across equipment changes.
Researchers can seek instrument time, field placements and collaborative program access. Reviews consider scientific value, feasibility, regional participation and facility capacity.
Scientific review across the portfolio
Methods, readiness and the limits of interpretation are considered before field work and publication.