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CX2SA > NASA 03.09.05 00:30l 88 Lines 3934 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 29537_CX2SA
Read: GUEST
Subj: NASA'S SCIENCE AGENCIES RESP..
Path: ON0AR<F6KMO<KP4IG<TU5EX<CX2SA
Sent: 050903/0028Z @:CX2SA.LAV.URY.SA #:29537 [Minas] FBB7.00e $:29537_CX2SA
From: CX2SA@CX2SA.LAV.URY.SA
To : NASA@WW
SUBMITTED BY ARTHUR N1ORC - AMSAT A/C #31468
Dolores Beasley/Erica Hupp
Headquarters, Washington Sept. 2, 2005
(Phone: 202/358-1753/1237)
NASA'S SCIENCE RESOURCES HELP AGENCIES RESPOND TO KATRINA
NASA science instruments and Earth-orbiting satellites are providing detailed
insight about the environmental impact caused by Hurricane Katrina. Images and
data are helping characterize the extent of flooding; damage to homes,
businesses and infrastructure; and potential hazards caused by the storm and
its aftermath.
NASA, along with academic institutions and partner agencies, is working to
ensure the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA) have the best available information to aid in responding to this
catastrophic event.
NASA's partner agencies in this endeavor include the U.S. Geological Survey
(USGS), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the
National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, the Environmental Protection Agency,
and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Coordinated assistance by numerous academic institutions and laboratories
working under NASA grants will be employed by the Gulf Coast relief and
recovery efforts to provide geospatial information useful to first responders
and decision makers.
NASA aircraft are providing detailed observations of the disaster area. The
aircraft are taking high-resolution observations that can be used to assess the
amount of damage to communities and the environment. For example at the request
of USGS in cooperation with FEMA and the Army Corps of Engineers, NASA's
Experimental Advanced Airborne Research LIDAR (EAARL) system is surveying the
gulf coastline.
The EAARL system, carried on a Cessna 310, surveyed the northern gulf coastline
on Thursday. Tomorrow the aircraft is scheduled to fly over the perimeter and
surrounding levee around New Orleans to assist in damage assessment of the
system.
While making its observations of the land, EAARL has the ability to "see"
through vegetation, like trees and shrubs, to view the land underneath. Near
the coast it can map the beach surface under water. This will help in the
recovery of the shoreline infrastructure; determine hazard areas and
environmental loss.
The Terra, Aqua and Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellites have
already provided Earth observations for land cover and rainfall. Terra's
Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) is
providing data on the magnitude and extent of damage and flooding to the USGS
Emergency Response Team through its Earth Resources Observation Systems Data
Center in Sioux Falls, S.D.
NASA's Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument on the
Terra and Aqua satellites provided images of flooding, pre and post disaster
comparisons. Data from NASA's QuikScat satellite was one source of wind
observations used by NOAA's Hurricane Research Division to analyze the wind
field of the storm and to track its path.
Another NASA satellite in use is the Earth Observing Mission 1 (EO-1). The
Advanced Land Imagery (ALI) multispectral instrument on EO-1 provided land use
and land cover observations useful in determining hurricane damage areas and in
aiding in recovery, response and mitigation.
NASA satellites are used to improve weather predictions, to study climate and
natural hazards. The knowledge gained during these missions aids assessment and
recovery operations.
For satellite images and additional information on the Web, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/hurricane
http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/Storm_pages/katrina2005/wind.html
For information about NASA and agency programs on the Web, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/home
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