4 min read<\/p>\n
CSDA Releases New Data Acquisition Request System<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/sdx-dashboard.jpg?w=1266\")
<\/a><\/figure>\nThis screen capture of the SDX dashboard shows a map of Earth\u2019s surface, and on the right, the search filters SDX users can manipulate to find the imagery that they need.<\/div>\nCredit: CSDA<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nNASA\u2019s Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition (CSDA<\/a>) Program released a new Data Acquisition Request System, which lets authorized users submit proposals for yet-to-be-collected data from CSDA\u2019s commercial partners and track their requests through an easy-to-use dashboard.<\/p>\n\u201cWith the Data Acquisition Request System, approved users will be able to \u2018task,\u2019 meaning to request future data, from a CSDA commercial partner\u2019s satellite,\u201d said Aaron Kaulfus, CSDA Data Management Team Lead. \u201cThe process begins with a user submitting a proposal that is subject to an approval process. If approved, the proposal will be processed by a\u00a0 CSDA commercial partner in accordance with the user\u2019s other parameters.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Data Acquisition Request System has been incorporated into the CSDA Program\u2019s Satellite Data Explorer (SDX<\/a>), an online tool for searching, discovering, and accessing the commercial satellite data acquired by NASA. (Note: Although anyone can browse the CSDA\u2019s data holdings, only authorized data users can log into the SDX and request data. Information on the user authentication and authorization process is provided below.)<\/p>\n\u201cThe dashboard shows users the proposals they\u2019ve submitted and informs them of each proposal\u2019s status and whether it\u2019s been approved. In the case a proposal is partially approved, the dashboard will also include information supporting that decision,\u201d said Kaulfus. \u201cAfter approval, the proposal will be processed by the vendor, and the requested data will be collected and delivered to the system for download. This means that users can now request data from a vendor, track the status of their proposal, and download the data all in one place.\u201d<\/p>\n
By providing these services in a single, centralized system, the CSDA aims to make the process of requesting future data from CSDA vendors more efficient and user-friendly.<\/p>\n
\u201cCurrently, the proposal process relies on users filling in a PDF-type form about their data needs followed by a series of email exchanges among users, CSDA Program staff, and vendors,\u201d Kaulfus said. \u201cThe Data Acquisition Request System confines all of these interactions in a single, streamlined system, which allows users\u2019 proposals to move through the [proposal review] process as quickly and efficiently as possible.\u201d \u00a0<\/p>\n
That process includes in-depth proposal reviews by CSDA staff to ensure the requested data fall within the program\u2019s budget and the vendor\u2019s capabilities. Therefore, the program\u2019s response to users\u2019 proposals won\u2019t be immediate. Still, Kaulfus says the Data Acquisition Request System\u2019s dashboard will help CSDA staff stay abreast of each proposal\u2019s status and any actions required to keep it moving through the evaluation process.<\/p>\n
In addition to expediting users\u2019 proposals, the Data Acquisition Request System will help the program address CSDA data users\u2019 needs over the long term by providing the program with information it can use to expand its catalog of commercial satellite data.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve realized that, through the Data Acquisition Request System, we can collect and catalog our users\u2019 requests to inform future CSDA initiatives and add to our current capabilities,\u201d said Kaulfus. \u201cFor example, in regard to fire applications, we really don\u2019t have vendors that will support hotspot detection right now. But if a large number of users\u2019 submit proposals requesting hotspot detection data, then that points to a need that we\u2019ve not addressed.\u201d<\/p>\n
This ability to zero-in on unmet user needs supports the program\u2019s goal of expanding the use of commercial data within NASA\u2019s data-user community.<\/p>\n
\u201cExpanding the use of commercial data is a big part of this effort,\u201d said Kaulfus. \u201cWe want to grow the audience of people who use our data and we want to do it efficiently, but for that to happen, we need information about the data that users need. Along with direct feedback from users themselves, the Data Acquisition Request System will help us get it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Learning Resources<\/h2>\n
For more information on the CSDA Program\u2019s SDX, see the SDX user guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/sdx-dashboard.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>NASA\u2019s Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition (CSDA<\/a>) Program released a new Data Acquisition Request System, which lets authorized users submit proposals for yet-to-be-collected data from CSDA\u2019s commercial partners and track their requests through an easy-to-use dashboard.<\/p>\n \u201cWith the Data Acquisition Request System, approved users will be able to \u2018task,\u2019 meaning to request future data, from a CSDA commercial partner\u2019s satellite,\u201d said Aaron Kaulfus, CSDA Data Management Team Lead. \u201cThe process begins with a user submitting a proposal that is subject to an approval process. If approved, the proposal will be processed by a\u00a0 CSDA commercial partner in accordance with the user\u2019s other parameters.\u201d<\/p>\n The Data Acquisition Request System has been incorporated into the CSDA Program\u2019s Satellite Data Explorer (SDX<\/a>), an online tool for searching, discovering, and accessing the commercial satellite data acquired by NASA. (Note: Although anyone can browse the CSDA\u2019s data holdings, only authorized data users can log into the SDX and request data. Information on the user authentication and authorization process is provided below.)<\/p>\n \u201cThe dashboard shows users the proposals they\u2019ve submitted and informs them of each proposal\u2019s status and whether it\u2019s been approved. In the case a proposal is partially approved, the dashboard will also include information supporting that decision,\u201d said Kaulfus. \u201cAfter approval, the proposal will be processed by the vendor, and the requested data will be collected and delivered to the system for download. This means that users can now request data from a vendor, track the status of their proposal, and download the data all in one place.\u201d<\/p>\n By providing these services in a single, centralized system, the CSDA aims to make the process of requesting future data from CSDA vendors more efficient and user-friendly.<\/p>\n \u201cCurrently, the proposal process relies on users filling in a PDF-type form about their data needs followed by a series of email exchanges among users, CSDA Program staff, and vendors,\u201d Kaulfus said. \u201cThe Data Acquisition Request System confines all of these interactions in a single, streamlined system, which allows users\u2019 proposals to move through the [proposal review] process as quickly and efficiently as possible.\u201d \u00a0<\/p>\n That process includes in-depth proposal reviews by CSDA staff to ensure the requested data fall within the program\u2019s budget and the vendor\u2019s capabilities. Therefore, the program\u2019s response to users\u2019 proposals won\u2019t be immediate. Still, Kaulfus says the Data Acquisition Request System\u2019s dashboard will help CSDA staff stay abreast of each proposal\u2019s status and any actions required to keep it moving through the evaluation process.<\/p>\n In addition to expediting users\u2019 proposals, the Data Acquisition Request System will help the program address CSDA data users\u2019 needs over the long term by providing the program with information it can use to expand its catalog of commercial satellite data.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve realized that, through the Data Acquisition Request System, we can collect and catalog our users\u2019 requests to inform future CSDA initiatives and add to our current capabilities,\u201d said Kaulfus. \u201cFor example, in regard to fire applications, we really don\u2019t have vendors that will support hotspot detection right now. But if a large number of users\u2019 submit proposals requesting hotspot detection data, then that points to a need that we\u2019ve not addressed.\u201d<\/p>\n This ability to zero-in on unmet user needs supports the program\u2019s goal of expanding the use of commercial data within NASA\u2019s data-user community.<\/p>\n \u201cExpanding the use of commercial data is a big part of this effort,\u201d said Kaulfus. \u201cWe want to grow the audience of people who use our data and we want to do it efficiently, but for that to happen, we need information about the data that users need. Along with direct feedback from users themselves, the Data Acquisition Request System will help us get it.\u201d<\/p>\n For more information on the CSDA Program\u2019s SDX, see the SDX user guide<\/a>.<\/p>\nLearning Resources<\/h2>\n