NASA's DESDynI InSAR and Multibeam LIDAR Mission

InSAR has been used to study surface deformation of the solid Earth and cryosphere and more recently in combination with LIDAR to study vegetation for estimates of biomass. The NRC decadal survey recommends that DESDynI (Deformation, Ecosystem Structure, and Dynamics of Ice), an integrated L-band InSAR and multibeam LIDAR mission, launch in the 2010-2013 timeframe. The mission will measure surface deformation for solid Earth and cryosphere objectives and vegetation structure for understanding the carbon cycle. The objectives of DESDynI are to 1) determine the likelihood of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and landslides, 2) Predict the response of ice sheets to climate change and impact on sea level, 3) characterize the effects of changing climate and land use on species habitats and carbon budget, and 4) monitor migration of fluids associated with hydrocarbon production and groundwater resources. This requires that surface deformation be measured globally at the level of 1-2 mm/yr to study geophysical processes and ice sheet mass balance. The mission also needs to develop globally consistent and spatially resolved estimates of aboveground biomass and carbon stocks to 10 Mg/ha or to within 20% and changes and trends to 2-4 Mg/ha.