Evaluation model for long term data archiving systems in the context of Earth Observation

The Long term data Archive Study on new Technologies (LAST) project aims to assess and benchmark long term data archival technologies supporting the European Space Agency Earth Observation Long Term Data Preservation Program. A classification of technologies is performed in the main technological areas involved in Long Term Archiving. An evaluation method based in Analytic Hierarchy Process is used to identify the most appropriate technologies in each technological area, addressing with the specific user preferences and the identification of relevant evaluation criteria (i.e. evaluation model). As a case of study, an evaluation model is defined for Storage Hardware Systems, considered as a main Technological Area in Long Term Archiving.