The TIMED Science Data System: Experiences in Operating a Distributed Data System

The Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics (TIMED) Science Data System (SDS) operates, after more than two years since launch, as the distributed system for the acquisition, archive and distribution of science data in support of TIMED investigators and the ITM scientific community. The SDS maintains a single integrated user interface, implemented as a World Wide Web (Web) site, by which users locate, understand and use its collection of data. The SDS unites resources distributed across a number of different facilities: a Mission Data Center (MDC), four remote instrument Payload Operations Centers (POC), and collaborating GBI sites and CEDAR. Presented are the experiences and lessons learned, from the perspective of the centralized components of the MDC and SDS, in providing data and services to the community and plans for meeting users' needs in the evolving data environment.