Office of the Chief Science Data Officer

A light blue circular graphic identifier, which contains stars, a satellite, and a DNA strand. A jagged graph line cutting through the middle of the circle represents NASA science data. Everything lies on a dark blue background.

The Office of the Chief Science Data Officer (OCSDO) within NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD) plays a pivotal role in advancing transformative science. Established in 2021, the OCSDO focuses on identifying and fostering collaborations in data, computing, and analytics across NASA’s astrophysics, biological and physical sciences, Earth science, heliophysics, and planetary science divisions.

Led by Kevin Murphy, Chief Science Data Officer, the OCSDO collaborates with the five science divisions within the SMD to drive innovation in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and data science. The OCSDO is committed to fostering cutting-edge data practices, open science, and the continuous evolution of scientific data and computing systems. By ensuring NASA’s scientific data are accessible and usable by researchers world wide, the OCSDO contributes significantly to scientific progress.

Mission Statement

The OCSDO advances NASA’s unique science missions and enables groundbreaking discoveries by supporting innovative data science and expanding the accessibility of scientific information through open practices.

Portrait of Kevin Murphy, male, in front of a blue background wearing a black suit jacket and dark blue tie.
Kevin Murphy, Chief Science Data Officer
NASA

OCSDO Objectives

  1. 01

    Data Accessibility

    Develop and oversee programs and projects to ensure that NASA’s science data are accessible to all, producing practical benefits for society.

  2. 02

    Policy Implementation

    Enable the adoption, monitor effectiveness of, and periodically update the Scientific Information Policy for the Science Mission Directorate (SMD Policy Document SPD-41a).

  3. 03

    Technological Evolution

    Oversee the continuous evolution of SMD’s scientific data and computing capabilities, enabling efficiencies and meeting strategic needs across science divisions and research communities.

  4. 04

    Advanced Data Science

    Develop strategies and activities to support the use of advanced data science techniques, including AI/ML, to meet SMD's science objectives.

  5. 05

    Strategic Planning

    Maintain and update the SMD Strategic Plan for Data Management and Computing every five years.

  6. 06

    Partnerships

    Develop and maintain strategic partnerships to increase the adoption of open science and the use of advanced data science tools and techniques to drive scientific discovery.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

The OCSDO explores ways to improve the use of NASA science data through artificial intelligence. This includes the development of AI foundation models trained on NASA science data to help researchers easily conduct AI-powered studies, as well as large language models and intelligent search tools to improve data discovery.

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Green, orange, blue and purple blobs of glowing light mingle with the shining galaxies in a massive cluster. Blue and green is concentrated in the middle and orange and purple is in splotches on the outskirts.
This composite image shows dark matter, galaxies, and hot gas in the merging galaxy cluster Abell 520. Artificial intelligence at NASA has been used to conduct research in many areas, including astrophysics.
NASA, ESA, CFHT, CXO, M.J. Jee (University of California, Davis), and A. Mahdavi (San Francisco State University)

Open Science

The OCSDO advocates for the application of open principles at every stage of the scientific process and shapes scientific policy within NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, allowing for greater technological and scientific innovation. The office provides guidance and training to help researchers follow open science best practices. It also provides funding for projects that advance open science.

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Studying Biological Impacts of Space Radiation
Making space biology data, such as this simulation of radiation effects on the human brain, openly available helps scientists get important answers more quickly and encourages innovation.
Estrella Passerat de la Chapelle, Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, and Egle Cekanaviciute, NASA’s Ames Research Center

Core Data and Computing

The OCSDO's Core Data and Computing Services Program (CDCSP) supports NASA's five science divisions with an SMD-wide cloud computing infrastructure that each division can build upon for their own unique needs. This approach gives all science divisions access to the same resources while keeping them in charge of their own data and software.

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NASA supercomputer model shows how greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO2) – a key driver of global warming – fluctuate in Earth’s atmosphere throughout the year. Higher concentrations are shown in red. Credit: NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio/NASA’s Global Modeling and Assimilation Office
NASA supercomputer model shows how greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO2) fluctuate in Earth’s atmosphere throughout the year. Higher concentrations are shown in red. Robust computing infrastructure is vital to NASA's science approach.
NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio/NASA’s Global Modeling and Assimilation Office

More on OCSDO Open Science

  • The Transform to Open Science logo, which shows a rocket shaped like a spinning top blasting off against a blue shield-shaped badge.

    Transform to Open Science (TOPS)

    NASA's Transform to Open Science (TOPS) initiative is designed to transform agencies, organizations, and communities to an inclusive culture of open science, including through the free online Open Science 101 course.

  • A presenter giving a Transform to Open Science talk.

    Scientific Information Policy

    The information produced as part of NASA’s scientific research activities represents a significant public investment. Learn more about how and when it should be shared.

OCSDO Accomplishments

  • A light blue circular graphic identifier, which contains stars, a satellite, and a DNA strand. A jagged graph line cutting through the middle of the circle represents NASA science data. Everything lies on a dark blue background.

    OCSDO Year in Review 2024

    Learn about the OCSDO's accomplishments promoting science data discovery and innovation in the year 2024.

Science Mission Directorate Science Data

The Science Data Portal provides a comprehensive list of NASA science data repositories.

Explore NASA Science Data
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