The Novel Observing Strategies Testbed (NOS-T) is a cloud-based platform that helps researchers design and test new ideas for Earth observation missions. Hosted on NASA’s Science Managed Cloud Environment, NOS-T makes it easier to build and simulate systems that collect data about our planet. The latest version of NOS-T includes improvements like secure login, better messaging between system parts, and simpler setup using configuration files.

To show how NOS-T works, a recent demonstration focused on observing snow. This Snow Observing Strategy (SOS) project used NOS-T to test a flexible mission setup that combines different types of satellite data. It aimed to improve how we measure snow water equivalent—an important factor in understanding water resources. The system used data from NASA’s Land Information System to find the best times and places to collect snow data, then simulated satellite operations to guide those observations. A web app showed the system’s behavior in real time.

Overall, NOS-T helps researchers quickly test new ideas, combine different data sources, and improve mission planning. By making these tools easier to use and more collaborative, NOS-T supports innovation across NASA’s Earth science efforts.