Mission Statement
Ensuring that planetary data are usable for any purpose, now and in the future.
Background
The Mapping and Planetary Spatial Infrastructure Team was established by NASA and the planetary science community in the fall of 2014, following recommendations from the Planetary Science Subcommittee of the Science Committee of the NASA Advisory council. Originally named the Cartography Research Assessment Group (CRAG), the MASPSIT name was adopted in the fall of 2015 to be more inclusive of all aspects of spatial data analysis and associated infrastructure. The team consists of all interested members of our community and has a Steering Committee which actively solicits input from the scientific community and reports its findings to NASA as requested.
If you have interest in becoming a member of MAPSIT, please fill out the MAPSIT Indication of Interest form.
Recent Activities
November 2020 Findings
- Analysis-ready planetary data accelerates scientific progress. Missions should strive to provide analysis-ready data, but if they do not, then their data delivery plans should include all of the needed descriptions and algorithms in order for a 3rd party to take their archived data and produce analysis-ready data.
- The MAPSIT steering committee has commissioned a group of data users, mission stakeholders and data experts to examine the possibility of a Europa Spatial Data Infrastructure. We request that NASA support the idea of this study and similar future ones as agreed upon by the MAPSIT steering committee.
- Given the importance of spatial data in the upcoming exploration of the Moon by robotic missions and the Artemis program, we request that NASA, through MAPSIT and possibly LEAG, establish a Lunar Spatial Data Infrastructure. A coordinated effort would ensure this process is done correctly and not involve unnecessary duplication. MAPSIT and LEAG would help determine the members of a committee to establish this infrastructure and would oversee and ratify the results of the study.
- MAPSIT supports the existence of the Planetary Data Ecosystem review and is glad to see community input is being encouraged and prioritized. MAPSIT would be happy to make a presentation to the PDE IRB on MAPSIT topics of expertise, if requested.
- We request that NASA continue robust support for the PDART program, as it is necessary to fully realize the potential of planetary spatial data. Many products that are prioritized by MAPSIT (e.g., creation of registered data products) only have PDART as their means of production.
- We request that NASA work with MAPSIT and the spatial data community to continue to create opportunities to train new data users and data product creators. Examples include the Planetary Data Users Workshop and short courses associated with conferences, the scope and occurrence of which could be expanded.
PSDI WHITE PAPER FOR PLANETARY SCIENCE AND ASTROBIOLOGY DECADAL SURVEY 2023-2032
The following White Paper, titled "Maximizing the Value of Solar System Data through Planetary Spatial Data Infrastructures", was submitted for consideration for the Planetary Science and Astrobiology Decadal Survey.
Radebaugh, J., Thomson, B.J., Archinal, B., Beyer, R., DellaGiustina, D., Fassett, C., Gaddis, L., Goossens, S., Hare, T., Laura, J. and Mouginis-Mark, P. (2020). Maximizing the Value of Solar System Data through Planetary Spatial Data Infrastructures, white paper submitted to the 2023–2032 Planetary Science and Astrobiology Decadal Survey, https://arxiv.org/pdf/2008.06171.
THE MAPPING AND PLANETARY SPATIAL DATA INFRASTRUCTURE (MAPSIT) ROADMAP
Executive Summary
Spatial data contribute to the success of endeavors at NASA if they are correctly acquired and accessible to all interested groups. We encourage the creation of initiatives to ensure that planetary spatial data are correctly obtained and processed and are discoverable and usable for a wide range of research and exploration purposes. We describe steps needed to work toward these goals. We also evaluate the needed expertise, tools and capabilities for development and delivery of planetary spatial data products. We suggest these efforts should be initiated by the planetary science community and coordinated by NASA and should focus on how to most effectively enable NASA science and exploration goals.
PLANETARY GEOSCIENCE MAPPING SURVEY PUBLISHED
The United States Geological Surveys (USGS) Planetary Geologic Map Coordination Group (Flagstaff, Ariz.) surveyed planetary geoscience map makers and users to determine the importance, relevance, and usability of such products to their planetary science research and to current and future needs of the planetary science community. This survey was prepared because the planetary science community lacks a modern assessment of the value invested in geoscience map products and processes (including the diverse scientific and technical personnel who add to and maintain this infrastructure) and a strategy that ensures these efforts appropriately prioritize mapping efforts across all solid surface bodies in the Solar System.
This publication is available at https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/ofr20191012
Suggested Citation
Skinner, J.A. Jr., Huff, A.E., Fortezzo, C.M., Gaither, T., Hare, T.M., Hunter, M.A., Buban, H., 2019, Planetary geologic mapping program status and future needs: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 20191012, 40 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20191012