top of page

DATA AND INFORMATION

DATA

Data can be thought of as the raw materials, inputs or signals received by or entered into an information system. Data is meaningless by itself and must be organised in order to gain meaning. A key role of an information system is to process data into information.

Data at NASA

Some data that is collected or inputted at NASA would include:

  • Quantitative Scientific Readings (Human or machine collected) [Numbers]

  • Qualitative Scientific Readings (Human or machine collected) [Text]

  • Satellite Photographs [Images]

  • Satellite Recordings [Video]

  • Radio Images [Video]

  • Radio Transmissions (Human missions) [Audio]

  • ​

 

INFORMATION

Information can be thought of as data that has been ordered, rearranged and given meaning and can be used for beneficial purposes. For information to be useful it must be relevant, accurate, up to date, appropriate and orginised.

Information at NASA

Some information that is processed and used at NASA would include:

  • Launch Info (Date, Time, Location, ID, Spacecraft Model, Purpose) [Numbers/Text]

  • Mission Info (Start/End Date, Duration, Location, ID, Spacecraft Model, Purpose, Solution) [Numbers/Text]

  • Experiment Info (Date, Time, Location, ID, Participants, Purpose) [Numbers/Text]

bottom of page