Team: EO Data Management Services
The German Satellite Data Archive (D-SDA) is a key component of numerous national and international Earth observation missions as well as a data center for scientists and other users of Earth observation data. The responsibilities of the D-SDA Services team range from representing the D-SDA externally, e.g. in the German Spatial Data Infrastructure GDI-DE, in INSPIRE, or in the Group on Earth Observations GEO, to providing operational services in data archiving, cataloging, and access. Of particular relevance is the associated data curation, ensuring long-term data preservation and providing sustainable user-friendly data access. The D-SDA Services team comprises the EOC Earth observation data librarian and the multi-mission system operations.
The Earth observation data librarian is the central point-of-contact of the German Satellite Data Archive. He interfaces with internal and external specialist groups and facilitates increased use of the earth observation data archived at the EOC. He matches requirements of various user groups with the data available from the EOC and promotes user-friendly access to the archived data and products while observing applicable data policy restrictions. The data librarian represents the D-SDA internally as well as externally which involves participation in national and international committees and projects related to data access, interoperability, and long-term data preservation.
Through multi-mission system operations D-SDA multi-mission data management services are consistently available. Data management is based on the 'Data and Information Management System' DIMS the numerous software components of which are being run by system operations. In addition, system operations operates the Geospatial Data Access Systems GDAS which provides INSPIRE-compliant catalog access and data retrieval.
Earth observation data archiving and cataloging are two of the central services maintained by system operations. Furthermore, system operations ensures data are accessible for processing systems as well as for various user communities who can download data, place an order for customized products, or task the acquisition of new satellite images. Managing these orders and observing the automated processing chains for product generation and delivery extend the responsibilities of system operations. Continuous monitoring ensures high availability of all system components.
The D-SDA extends across two DLR sites, Oberpfaffenhofen und Neustrelitz, as does system operations of DIMS which is in use at both locations. Meanwhile the multi-mission service manages a data volume of over 2.5 petabyte from 23 missions (as of 07/2013). The missions supported include:
- National missions such as TerraSAR-X, TanDEM-X, Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM), and airborne missions using radar instruments and optical sensors,
- European missions such as the ESA missions ERS and ENVISAT or the EUMETSAT missions METEOSAT and METOP
- International missions such as TERRA and AQUA or the Landsat Data Continuity Mission
The D-SDA Services team also coordinates the EOC-Geoservice, providing INSPIRE-compliant data and catalog access, D-SDA Reporting for generating and analyzing archive statistics as well as various activities in engineering and system integration.