Building Foresight for Earth Science, featuring Lindsey Jacobson
NASA intern Lindsey Jacobson develops tools to anticipate disruptions in Earth-observing satellite data, helping leaders plan for potential gaps and maintain continuous scientific records.
NASA’s Earth-observing satellites monitor key planetary features such as aerosols, sea levels, and land cover, generating data relied upon by scientific and operational communities. Sustaining this record requires anticipating mission delays or on-orbit events that could create coverage gaps. Lindsey Jacobson, a Pathways intern in engineering, supports NASA’s Earth Science Division through the NESSIE team at Langley Research Center, helping assess risks and develop mitigation strategies for the agency’s satellite portfolio.
Jacobson’s work focuses on building analysis tools that provide "foresight ability," enabling NASA to predict potential disruptions and prepare responses before they occur. By modeling mission lifetimes and operational uncertainties, the NESSIE team identifies alternative pathways to ensure end users receive uninterrupted data. This approach mirrors Jacobson’s graduate research on evolving complex systems like power grids, emphasizing incremental improvements over complete overhauls.
The NESSIE team’s efforts help NASA leadership manage a dynamic portfolio of over 20 Earth-observing missions, each measuring distinct planetary features. Jacobson compares the process to hurricane preparedness, where pre-positioning resources ensures readiness when disruptions arise. The team proactively outlines strategies to address changes, whether missions extend beyond their planned lifespans or face unexpected challenges.
Jacobson highlights the evolving landscape of Earth science, where commercial entities and new space agencies contribute additional data alongside government missions. Adapting to these shifts—including the integration of AI tools—requires flexibility in workflows and strategic planning. Her work reflects NASA Langley’s commitment to innovation, aiming to maintain leadership in Earth observation while ensuring continuous support for the scientific communities that depend on these critical data streams.