To directly align critical computing resources with the highest-priority Earth system modeling objectives, NASA is transitioning the NASA Center for Climate Simulation (NCCS) to become Earth Modeling Nexus Core Computing (Nexus Compute). This shift directly aligns with the agency’s strategy to integrate flagship Earth system models into an efficient unified framework under the Earth Modeling Nexus (Nexus).
The primary goal of this evolution is to strengthen stewardship for this essential agency capability and strengthen strategic alignment with the highest-priority Earth system modeling objectives under Nexus—delivering the scalable performance, modernized code environments, and agility needed to advance next-generation Earth system science.
What this means for current NCCS users?
- Most current computing activities directly support core Nexus modeling efforts and, therefore, the majority of active users will be unaffected by the transition to Nexus Compute.
- A small number of current computing activities will be redirected while existing infrastructure and services are aligned more strategically with Nexus; the Nexus Compute team is managing this process gradually through FY27 to prevent disruption to ongoing research and data services.
- All current users will be informed of the transition, including plans for the continuation or transition of their specific activities by September 30, 2026.
What this means for the NCCS team and website?
- The Scientific Computing team, systems, and services will remain in place as we transition to become Nexus Compute, ensuring that critical expertise will be retained and operations will continue uninterrupted during this process.
- Contents of the current NCCS website will be migrated to the new Nexus Compute webpage by the end of 2026.
Nexus Frequently Asked Questions
Continuing: Nexus Compute provides computing services to support Nexus’ core Earth system models – the Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS), ModelE, the Land Information System (LIS), the Ice Sheet and Sea-Level System Model (ISSM), and Estimating the Circulation and Climate of the Ocean (ECCO). Much of NCCS’ computing capacity is already supporting core Nexus activities, so most existing, active users will simply continue their work under Nexus Compute. Other projects ending during FY27 will be asked to complete their work on Nexus Compute and migrate their data to long-term storage (like NAS tape archives or cloud cold storage) by 9/30/27.
Transitioning out: A small number of current projects using NCCS resources have been identified as unrelated to core Nexus modeling efforts and will therefore not continue under Nexus Compute; however, this transition will also take place gradually to support continuity of ongoing research and data services.
Transitioning in: To further optimize efficiency and support greater interoperability for core Nexus models, some computing activities currently supported by the NASA Advanced Supercomputing (NAS) Division at Ames Research Center will move to Nexus Compute. This will be a gradual process, beginning with pilot testing in FY27 to ensure operational readiness and preserve continuity of critical modeling activities during the transition.
Activities identified as unrelated to Nexus core models will be redirected to other computing resources, including NAS’ High-End Computing Facilities or the NASA Science Cloud.
FY27 has been identified as a transition year to preserve continuity for ongoing research and data services. The process of transitioning unrelated work will be gradual and rationally timed based on specific project needs and status:
Active NCCS projects can continue current activities within Nexus Compute while they work to secure alternative computing services and data storage; this transition must be complete by the end of FY27.
Projects which were previously directed to NCCS but have not yet started will be directed to alternative computing resources; users will not receive access to Nexus Compute.
Inactive NCCS users and projects will be decommissioned.
Computing activities unrelated to core Nexus models will not be supported by Nexus Compute from FY28 onward.
All NCCS users will be informed of the Nexus Compute transition, including plans for the continuation or transition of their specific activities, by September 30, 2026. If you are a current user and have not received a message by September 30, 2026, to the email registered to your NCCS account, please contact user services.
Nexus is evaluating opportunities to move some core modeling activities from NAS to Nexus Compute. This process will begin with pilot testing in FY27 to ensure Nexus Compute operational readiness. More specific information on process and timeline for the transition will be provided to affected NAS High-End Computing users following successful completion of pilot tests.
Nexus is working to establish a unified data hosting strategy for core Earth system models. While this strategy remains in development, existing data hosting platforms for core Nexus model outputs will remain unchanged.
In alignment with the Nexus data hosting strategy and timelines, Nexus Compute will work with affected users during FY27 to support the transition of data to other storage resources (e.g., NAS, NASA Science Cloud) or, in cases where continued access is not needed, remove the data.
Active NCCS users working on core Nexus model activities having current resource allocations will simply continue their work under Nexus Compute; no action is needed.
Most of Nexus Compute’s computing capacity is required to support core modeling computing activities, though some resources will be reserved for competed opportunities. Proposals submitted through NASA’s Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Science (ROSES) must include computing resource needs.
For new users on directed or awarded Nexus modeling activities, Nexus Compute access requests can be submitted via the existing NCCS process in the Request Management System (RMS). Nexus management will review requests to validate appropriate allocation of Nexus Compute resources. Requests for computing activity unrelated to core Nexus models will be redirected to alternative computing resources.
Several core Nexus modeling activities involve close collaboration between Earth science and other NASA science divisions, including upper atmosphere and space weather forecasting and the adaption of advanced Earth system models for planetary simulations. This work will continue under Nexus Compute.
Computing activities which are otherwise unrelated to core Nexus models will be redirected to other computing resources, including NAS’ High-End Computing Facilities or the NASA Science Cloud.
NASA launched its Web Modernization Project in 2019 to ensure compliance with federal laws, regulations, policies, and guidelines regarding public-facing agency websites. It is NASA policy to consolidate existing public-facing websites and digital services into a unified public web experience that is fully modernized, accessible, secure, and centered on user needs. Under this directive, the agency’s multitude of websites have been progressively migrating into the flagship nasa.gov or science.nasa.gov domains.
Accordingly, the NCCS website, alongside many others, was earmarked for migration by the end of 2026. Although this requirement predates the Nexus Compute transition, it presents an opportunity for synchronous updates to better reflect new strategic direction and ensure adherence with NASA’s Web Policy (NID 2800.147).