Decadal Survey for Earth Science and Applications from Space 2028-2037 (ESAS 2028)

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine is conducting "ESAS 2028," the Decadal Survey for Earth Science and Applications from Space 2028–2037. This community-based effort will develop a comprehensive strategy that builds on the 2018 decadal survey and identifies an innovative, fiscally realistic path for addressing the highest priority Earth science and applications challenges that can be advanced in the coming decade through space-based and ancillary observations.

Unlike the 2018–2027 survey, which used a two-step RFI process, this RFI combines broad input on science and applications priorities with input on potential measurement approaches, implementation strategies, and contextual issues affecting the Earth science and applications enterprise.

Please do not respond to this RFI without carefully reading the RFI guidance document and the Frequently Asked Questions. The guidance document provides additional information on the planned survey process, NASA Earth System Science Research Spheres, questions intended to inform the survey, contextual topics for which input is sought, and submission instructions.

White papers may address candidate science targets, implementation approaches, contextual topics, or a combination of these areas. Respondents are encouraged to make clear which questions or topics their submission addresses.

Submissions addressing candidate science targets and proposed implementation approaches should, where possible, describe the science question and/or societal challenge; explain the importance of the question or challenge and its relationship to one or more NASA Earth System Science Research Spheres; identify relevant measurements, observing capabilities, data products, modeling or analysis capabilities, or implementation approaches; discuss key performance or capability requirements; and assess feasibility within the decadal time frame, including relevant heritage, maturity, partnerships, workforce, infrastructure, or institutional capacity considerations.

Submissions addressing contextual topics should clearly identify the issue or opportunity being addressed, describe its significance to the Earth science and applications community, and, where possible, suggest actions, priorities, or considerations relevant to the decadal survey. Contextual topics may include, but are not limited to, workforce capacity, institutional readiness, modeling, data assimilation, prediction, analysis and decision-support capabilities, AI and machine learning, economic impacts of Earth observations, alignment with agency goals, partnerships with commercial, international, and other entities, data stewardship, user engagement, and approaches for assessing whether third-party data meet science and applications requirements.

All responses will be included in the Public Access File created for the survey. Submissions should be no longer than seven single-spaced pages, using at least 11-point font, excluding figures, tables, and references.

For full consideration, please complete your submission by July 20, 2026, 11:59 Pacific Time. Questions about the RFI may be directed to esas2028@nas.edu.

Return to the ESAS 2028 decadal survey website.

1. Principal Author

Given Name *This question is required.

Family Name *This question is required.

ORCID iD
What's This?

Affiliation *This question is required.

Email Address *This question is required. This question requires a valid email address.

Phone Number *This question is required.

2. If you have five or fewer co-authors provide their information here. Please fill in as much information as you have available, and leave unknown or inapplicable cells blank.

	Given name(s)	Family name(s)	ORCID iD	Email	Affiliation
	Given name(s)	Family name(s)	ORCID iD	Email	Affiliation	Co-Author 1	Given name(s)	Family name(s)	ORCID iD	Email	Affiliation
Co-Author 2	Given name(s)	Family name(s)	ORCID iD	Email	Affiliation
Co-Author 3	Given name(s)	Family name(s)	ORCID iD	Email	Affiliation
Co-Author 4	Given name(s)	Family name(s)	ORCID iD	Email	Affiliation
Co-Author 5	Given name(s)	Family name(s)	ORCID iD	Email	Affiliation

3. If you have six or more co-authors please download this form, complete it, and upload here. Click on "Browse" button to locate and select your file.

File: {{filename}} delete

4. Type of submission
Please indicate the area or areas addressed by your white paper. Select all that apply. *This question is required.

Candidate science target
Implementation approach, observing strategy, mission concept, data product, modeling or analysis capability, or related capability
Contextual topic affecting the Earth science and applications enterprise
Other - Write In (Required) Please enter an 'other' value for this selection. * This question is required.

5. NASA Earth System Science Research Sphere alignment
If your submission addresses a candidate science target, implementation approach, observing strategy, measurement, data product, modeling or analysis capability, or other topic associated with one or more NASA Earth System Science Research Program Spheres, please identify the Sphere(s) best aligned with your submission. Select all that apply. *This question is required.

Input Specifications

White papers should be consistent with the following guidelines.

Length: A maximum of seven pages in length, exclusive of the cover page and cited references;
Formatting: Use 11-point font with 1-inch margins on all sides of the document;
Cover page: Required 1- page cover (not counted in the 7-page limit) should include the title of the white paper, the primary author’s name and institution, and a list of co-authors with their respective institutions; the cover page may include a synopsis;
References: Cited reference list may be on an additional page and should include hyperlinked DOIs (digital object identifiers) whenever possible;
Figures and graphics: Graphics should be sufficiently large to illustrate clearly the point being made. Hyperlinks can be used to access higher-resolution graphics;
Synopsis: A short synopsis or abstract at the beginning of the paper. This may be included on the cover page. The length of the synopsis is your choice; however, if it does not fit on the cover page with the other necessary information, it will be counted as part of the page limit.

File Name Format and Upload Instructions:

Filename format:"FamilyNameGivenNameMiddleInitial"
Do NOT use spaces or underscores in the file name.
Examples: "SmithJohnB.pdf" or "WilliamsJaneA.doc" (If you do not have a middle initial, do not worry about including one in the filename.)
If submitting more than one paper, add a number to the filename. Examples: “SmithJohnB1.pdf” or “SmithJohnB2.doc”
Only PDF and DOC/DOCX formats will be accepted.
There is a maximum single file size limit of 50 MB.

6. Title *This question is required. (150 character limit)

7. Short Description (400 character limit) *This question is required.

8. Upload Input
*This question is required.Click on "Browse" button to locate and select your file. When done, agree to consent form and click on "Submit" button to post your contribution.
There is no need to contact staff to confirm submission. However, If you have any difficulties with the upload process, please contact the Decadal Survey for Earth Science and Applications from Space staff at esas2028@nas.edu.

File: {{filename}} delete

9. Copyright Notice

Your contribution will be disseminated by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS)and may be disseminated by the American Astronomical Society (AAS) through the Bulletin of the AAS (subject to your decision to opt-out below). As a contributor of a white paper to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Decadal Survey for Earth Science and Applications from Space 2028-2037 (“White Paper”), I hereby grant a nonexclusive, no-cost, worldwide, transferable, irrevocable license authorizing both NAS and AAS and others acting on their behalf to publish, use, duplicate, disclose, and display my White Paper. (Nonexclusive means that you may grant these same rights to other parties without violating this licensing agreement.)

I understand and agree that the foregoing White Paper may be edited and used by NAS or AAS or their agents in whole or in part for the following purposes: (1) posting to the NAS website and other dissemination via the world wide web and other electronic media; (2) listing in the Public Access File created for the Decadal Survey; and (3) reproduction in NAS’ print publications and the Bulletin of the AAS subject to your decision to opt-out of publication by AAS by checking the box below.

By checking the box below, I confirm that I am authorized to provide the license granted herein, and I further confirm that: (1) the White Paper is original to me and does not contain any material that would violate the copyrights, trademarks, or any other property rights of others; and (2) I have obtained or I am willing to assist in obtaining sufficient rights with respect to any third-party materials included in the contributed materials to provide the license herein, and that I am able to produce evidence of such rights, if such rights are requested.

*This question is required.

I agree with the above terms and conditions.

10. Check the box below to opt out of formal publication of your white paper in the Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society (BAAS). Publication means that your white paper is assigned a DOI, becomes citeable as a journal article, and has its full text accessible via the NASA Astrophysics Data System in perpetuity. If you choose to opt out of publication by the BAAS, your paper will still be available on the Earth Science Decadal Survey website.

I opt out of publication of my White Paper in the Bulletin of the AAS.

Decadal Survey for Earth Science and Applications from Space 2028-2037 (ESAS 2028)

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