Information Technology Infusion Case Study: Integrating Google Earth into the A-Train Data Depot

The purpose of the NASA funded project, ‘Utilizing 3 Dimensional Data Views to Access Data and Discover Relationships Between Multiple Heterogeneous Data Sets Along the A-Train Tracks’ (Kempler, PI, NASA ROSES NNH07ZDA001N ACCESS Proposal) was to employ the latest 3 dimensional visualization technology to explore and provide direct data access to heterogeneous A-Train datasets, ‘operationally’, along, and on either side of the A-Train tracks. Google Earth (tm) provides the foundation for organizing, visualizing, publishing, and synergizing Earth science data in virtual 3 dimensions, for this project. Successful integration of Google Earth (tm) into the A-Train Data Depot (ATDD), resulted in: a) visualizing two-, three- and four-dimensional Earth science data on Google Earth (tm); b) visualizing and synergizing analyzed results derived from the Giovanni online analysis system; and c) visualizing results derived from other standard web services (e.g. OGC WMS). These implementations produce KMZ files that can be opened and visualized via a Google Earth (tm). Integrating A-Train data on Google Earth (tm) through ATDD (http://disc.gsfc.nasa.gov/atdd) affords users the ability to more efficiently discover, access, manipulate and analyze A-Train atmospheric data. The integration of Google Earth (tm) into the ATDD came with anticipated and unanticipated challenges, and solutions, insulated far beneath the easily obtainable ATDD Google Earth (tm) images and data downloads. In addition, some components of integration went rather smoothly. This presentation will discuss the challenges and non-challenges encountered and innovative solutions implemented to enable displaying NASA vertical and horizontal Earth science data within Google Earth (tm) technology. Findings discussed, include: - Interoperability between ATDD and Google Earth (tm) - Required enhancements to existing systems - Reuse of infused technology - Making the total greater than the some of the parts It is hoped that lessons learned and presented can be directly applied or extrapolated to better understanding and overcoming information technology infusion roadblocks.