DAAC Data Policies
The Alaska Satellite Facility (ASF) downlinks, archives, processes, and distributes synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data. The SAR data in the ASF archive is restricted and its distribution is limited to the scientific research community and U.S. Government Agencies. In accordance with the Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) between the relevant flight agencies (CSA, ESA, NASDA) and the U.S. State Department, ASF does not distribute SAR data for commercial use.
In order to obtain SAR data from ASF, prospective users must submit a proposal to NASA for approval. If NASA approves the proposal, the user is required to sign a research agreement with NASA Headquarters stating that:
Termination of the research agreement and potential loss of funding support by NASA.
Termination of the research agreement and notification by NASA to the investigator's sponsoring agency and to the relevant space agency of the violation. Further access to data must fall into the category of commercial use.
NASA will support sanctions imposed by sponsoring agencies on non-U.S. users.
In order to obtain SAR data from ASF, prospective users must submit a proposal to NASA for approval. If NASA approves the proposal, the user is required to sign a research agreement with NASA Headquarters stating that:
- The data are for the researcher's use for bona fide research purposes only.
- The data will not be reproduced or distributed to any other parties, as consistent with the relevant MOU.
- Users will publish in the open literature results of research accomplished with the requested data, including derived data sets, and the algorithms and models used.
- The users will provide, if requested, a copy of such results including derived data sets, algorithms, models, and documentation to ASF for archival and distribution.
- Sanctions will be placed on those users who receive data from ASF under the above conditions and who subsequently violate the research agreement.
Termination of the research agreement and potential loss of funding support by NASA.
Termination of the research agreement and notification by NASA to the investigator's sponsoring agency and to the relevant space agency of the violation. Further access to data must fall into the category of commercial use.
NASA will support sanctions imposed by sponsoring agencies on non-U.S. users.