NASA's OSDR Analysis Working Groups reuse mission data to study life in space

The Open Science Data Repository Analysis Working Groups (OSDR AWGs) are teams of scientists, students and members of the public who analyze NASA mission and experiment data in the online Open Science Data Repository to study how terrestrial life responds to radiation‑rich, low‑gravity space environments.

The online project launched in 2018. Nine AWGs examine OSDR datasets to address questions in basic science, applied science and health outcomes for space exploration. The OSDR provides free, open data analysis and visualization tools and offers free, open, on‑demand trainings in bioinformatics, artificial intelligence and machine learning for youth, students and the public.

The AWGs have two main activities: provide feedback on scientific standards that support reuse of life‑in‑space data, and mine and reuse OSDR data to conduct scientific analyses. Members have monthly calls, participate in sub‑group project meetings, and typically spend about five hours between meetings on writing, coding or data analysis.

An internet‑connected computer is required; no prior knowledge is required, though familiarity with data engineering, statistics, coding and space biology literature is helpful. The project website says prospective participants should read the AWG Charter and submit a request to join.

Key Topics

Science, Osdr, Analysis Working Groups, Nasa, Space Biology, Bioinformatics