Introduction to the Web Unification Project

The Web Unification Project is driven by the 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act (IDEA) that was signed into law in 2018. The IDEA Act requires all agencies in the executive branch to ensure their websites are compliant with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, have a consistent look and feel, are searchable, secure, mobile-friendly, and without duplicative information. This motivation was followed up with a mandate from the NASA Earth Science Data Systems (ESDS) Program Executive to unify all ESDS-funded public-facing web properties into the Earthdata domain.

Background

Today, many entry points lead to NASA Earth science dataset landing pages/data collections across the program. Since 1994, the Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) has provided end-to-end capabilities for managing this data archive through interconnected nodes across the United States. Each node has a website that represents a Science Investigator-led Processing System (SIPS) or a Distributed Active Archive Center (DAAC) that houses access to data and information unique to an Earth science discipline, platform, or instrument. There are also specialty websites that focus on certain data properties such as near real-time (LANCE) or fire data (FIRMS). These sites are the predominant focus of the Web Unification project.

The New Earthdata Website

The unified Earthdata website design launched at earthdata.nasa.gov in October 2024. Some of the data center sites will be a part of the new site with the first launch. The remaining public-facing ESDS Program web properties will migrate into the new domain over the next two years. The projected completion date is the end of 2026.

Site users will be able to find, access, and visualize NASA Earth science data through text search, science topic, observation method, data resolution, data format, DAAC, SIPS, or data processing level.

More Information

Please visit the Earthdata Forum to access the project's Frequently Asked Questions.