Commercial Remote Sensing ProgramDavid P. Brannon, Gharles L. Hill, Bruce A. Davis, and Ronald J. Birk

AbstractThe mission of the Commerciql Remote Sensing Progrcm(casp) Office at NASA'I John C. Stennr's Space Center is Iomaximize U.S. industry's exploitation of remote sensing andrelated space-based technologies and to develop advancedtechnical responses to spatial information requirements. Tlrr'smission is accomplished through NASA partnerships withcompanies to develop remote sensrng technology applica-tions in response to market-driven spatial information de-mands. The program builds private-sector capability tosupply economically viable remote sensing solutions. ThecnsP conducts market research to identify technologr limita-tions that ultimately drive NASA research and developmentinitiatives. Through its commercial partnerships, the pro-gram hopes that market demand and advanced technologysolutions will increase ffre use and reduce the cost of spatialdata. This paper describes the CasP's method of addressingboth the demand for spatial information and its specific re-sponses to promote an economically uiable U.S. industry.

lntroductionIn response to NASA's mandates for maximizing the commer-cial use of space-based remote sensing and related technolo-gies, the Commercial Remote Sensing Program (cnsn) Officeat NASA's Stennis Space Center has created several remotesensing partnership programs. The cRSp works with compa-nies in both the supply sectors and demand segments toachieve systems and technology integration. The CRSP pro-motes a robust spatial information industry based on re-motely sensed data. A model of interrelationships among thecomponents of a spatial information industry has been devel-oped by the cRSP. This model will be described in the Chal-lenges section.

The first part of this paper describes the challenges iden-tified by NASA's CRSP in building a spatial information indus-try. The second part of the paper presents the programs andinfrastructure developed in response to those challenges andhighlights several partnership projects. The paper concludeswith a summary of benefits realized by the commercial sec-tor and by NaSn,

GhallengesThe mission of the Commercial Remote Sensing Program Of-fice at NASA's John C. Stennis Space Center is to maximize(1.5. industry's exploitation of remote sensing and relatedspace-based technologies and to develop advanced technicalresponses to spatial information requirements,

Fulfilling NASA'S desire to seek and encourage commer-

D.P. Brannon, C,L. Hill,and B,A. Davis are with the Commer-cial Remote Sensing Program Office, National Aeronauticsand Space Administration, Stennis Space Center, MS 39529.

R.J, Birk is with the Commercial Remote Sensing Program,Sverdrup Technology, Inc., Stennis Space Center, MS 39529.

cial use of space includes development of space-based re-mote sensing markets. Current markets for remote sensingand related technologies will expand in response to the in-creasing demand for spatial information. Experience withNASA programs indicates a growing demand for higher spa-tial resolutions of 1 to 5 metres and pixel-level geolocationaccuracies. Demand indicators include increased use of site-Ievel Geographic Information System (Gts) monitoring formanagement and operations. For example, the current de-mand for cIS data includes municipal, utility, and construc-tion applications. Site-level applications in these marketsegments will benefit from planimetric data in the 1- to 5-metre range. In order to serve many municipal tax and ca-dastral-level applications, data requirements will push thesub-metre level of spatial resolution and seek elevation ac-curacies of less than 2 metres (T. Alexander, personal com-munication, 1993).

The cIS data and services market is expected to expandfrom $zB in 1992 to $48 in 1996. These figures represent atwofold expansion over four years and a 19 percent com-pounded annual growth rate (Antenucci, 1993). The totalvalue of the remote sensing market during 1992, includingdata acquisition, hardware/software, and other components,is estimated at $850M fTable 1). Because the value of re-motely sensed data and its related products and services istied to the GIS market, a comparable increase in the remotesensing market is inferred from these figures.

Operational commercial satellite systems through 1992have provided spatial resolutions of 80, 30, and 10 metres.Foreign governments and U.S. firms have announced plansto launch remote sensing systems prior to the year 2000 thatwill provide 1- to S-metre spatial resolution with Iocationknowledge that approaches pixel resolution, This geolocationknowledge is based on information derived from the GlobalPositioning System (GPS) and a High Accuracy ReferenceNetwork (HARN) for ground control.

NAsA's challenge is to assist U,S. firms in developingstate-of-the-practice technologies that cost-effectively supportthis market. High resolution data are currently unavailable tovalue-added companies exploring the benefits of using re-mote sensing to derive information required by their cus-tomers. The lack of raw data for product development isIimiting the ability to serve new markets or expand existingmarkets. The CRSP responds by coordinating market-drivenrequirements to define a technology demonstration. NASAprovides opportunities to perform advanced satellite systemiechnology demonstrations by airborne simulation of satelliteinstrumentation. By providing U.S, businesses with the tools

Photogrammetric Engineering & Remote Sensing,Vol . 60, No, 3, March 1994, pp. 317-330.

0099-1 1 12l94/6003-3 1 7$03.00/o@1994 American Society for Photogrammetry

and Remote Sensinq

3 1 7

Supply Sectors

Teele 1. 1992 REuore Sersrr.rc MnnxEr Suppt-v aruD DEr'mtto NAsA's responsibility to provide assistance in building aremote sensing industry is founded in enabling legislationand policy; excerpts from pertinent legislation are shown inFigure 1.

Responses to GhallengesThe cRsP enables the use of remote sensing in business oper-ations by providing the following incentives:

. Access to government facilities and programs that supportbusiness/marketing development and technical innovation;

o Opportunities for cost reduction by examining potential mar-kets through viability demonstrations;

. Access to public service applications as emerging markets forU.S. companies; and

o Access to cost-effective, dedicated data acquisition sources ofearth observation information.

In order to address the various aspects of the supply anddemand process, a model of the remote sensing data flow be-tween organizations contributing to spatial information prod-uct development has been constructed to show the process'working relationships. Figure 2 illustrates the various tech-nology elements of this model. The arrow in the center of thediagram shows the data process flow from infrastructurethrough sensors, data transfer/handling, data processing/ar-chiving, analysis, and application to end-user information.Above the amow are major types of companies that contrib-ute both supply and demand within the process. Below thearrow are the supporting infrastructure and NASA Commer-cial Remote Sensing Programs that work with individualcompanies to enable capabilities for different elements in theprocess.

The aerospace, tool maker, and value-added companiesIisted at the top of the model are providing spatial data andinformation in response to market demand from emergingmarkets in both the oublic and commercial sectors, Aero-space companies thit have traditionally provided space sys-tems and related infrastructure for defense applications andscientific research are increasing their response to commer-cial needs. The tool-maker companies that build computers,software, and cps systems offer^space-based producti in u"r-ily usable, increasingly affordable packages. Value-addedcompanies transform data from the airborne and spacebornesystems developed by the aerospace community by using in-strumentation and software from the tool makers. Thesecompanies produce the information products to meet the de-mands of end-users in the existing and emerging markets.

The Nasa cRSr portfolio of programs shown below thearrow on the model is tailored to work with the different ele-ments of the data flow process. This portfolio includes theTechnologyfvlarket Program (rve), Earth Observations Com-mercial Applications Program (EocAP), and Visiting Investi-gator Program (ue), which provide opportunities fordeveloping applications. These programs are described in thePartnership Agreements section. Data acquisition is sup-ported by the Airborne Instrument Test System (AITS), Air-borne Terrestrial Applications Sensor (arms), HARN, andCommercial Remote Sensing Technology Initiative (cnsrI),These elements are described further in the Data AcquisitionInfrastructure section. Co-investment in remote sensing in-novation is encouraged by matching corporate dollars withNASA facilities and technical expertise. The partnership proj-ects are intended to demonstrate market acceptance of newremote sensing/cls products. The stimulated markets assist inestablishing incentives for corporate investment in airborne

1992 U.S.Revenue

($V1 Demand SegmentsMarket

(%)

Data Acquisition. Satelliteo Aircraft

Data DistributiorVConversion

o Standard DataProducts

o GIS Databases

Information Products/Services

Hardware/Software

Total:

InfrastructureManagement

Resource Manage-ment

Environmental

Public InformationSewices

1 5 0

100

30-35

35-40

20-25

J _ I U

300

300

850 100

Sources: EOSAT, "Services Survey" (1990); Matra, "Market Distribu-tion by Application" (1990); NASA, "UP/XOCAP Project Profile"(1992); Peat-Marwick, SRSC MapSat Study (1991); Scope and ProfileEstimated by SDS, Inc. (1992).

for new product development, NASA can facilitate develop-ment and growth of a dominant U.S. high-resolution spatialinformation industry.

In addition to higher spatial resolution, emerging mar-kets for remotely sensed data also demand more timely dataavailability, better quality assurance, and reliable data stan-dards. Integration of technologies, including communica-tions, small satellite systems, global positioning, and digitaldata storage, is required to establish economically viable so-lutions to these demands. The CRSP works with companies tofacilitate the successful introduction of advanced marketproducts, processes, and services and provides simulateddata sets for performing demonstrations,

As remote sensing technologies become more accessible,a strong potential for growth and expansion exists in fourmajor markets (Table 1). Resource Management represents awell-established remote sensing product market. Applica-tions include management of agriculture, wetlands, forestry,fisheries, petroleum, and mineral resources. Availability oflow-cost, high-performance computer systems has enabledcomoanies within this market to capitalize on informationderived from aerial photography, saiellite imagery, and mete-orological data. In response to the growing need for resourcemanagement information, demand for site-scale monitoring isincreasing in contrast to the regional-scale activities of thepast. Environmental and Infrastructure Management alsoshow an increasing demand for a lower cost, more timelyhigh-resolution monitoring capability. These markets requirethe ability to monitor facilities and sites that cover less than30 kilometres and features of 1 to 5 metres in size. Finally,new applications of remotely sensed data are being investi-gated for meeting the Earth observation needs of Public In-formation Services. Applications include education, publicsafety, media, and entertainment.

Many organizations that may benefit from remote sensingtechnology lack an understanding of its capabilities, NASA of-fers opportunities for matching user demands for spatial infor-mation with advanced technologies developed within NASA,other government laboratories, and the private sector.

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lor federal sanh obseryataonsars sstablished to encourag€ th€d€vslopmont oi U.S. @mmsrcial syslemscomp€tilive with or superior to foreign-op€rated civil or ommercid syst€ms."

(Th. Nrllonrl Spac. Pollcl andcommrcld Spaco lnl0atlve - 1988)

will iniliate a t€chnology sharerm involving multiy€ar, jointand aooli€d rsssarch walhrrtia of U.S. lirms and univs6iti€s."

CRSP'NASA will implsmsnt initiativos torodu€ th€ lshnical, financial andinstilutional risks Miated withdoing busin€s in spa@.'

(NASA Commerclal Usa

"ln partno6hip with slate and localgovernments and privat€ @mpani€s,we will creat€ a Nalional Spatial DatalntEstruclu rs.'(Boporl ol tho Natloml Porfonnanco

Tho INASAI Administrator is aulhorized and encouragodto onducl srch rssearch and develoomenl incoopemtlon wilh other U.S. Govsrnm€nl agencies endpublic and pivale msearch entities (induding privateindustry, . , .) and to enisr into arEngoments (indudingjoint venturos) ilhich will toster such cloperation.''Tho (NASAI AdministEtor and th€ Sscrdary ol D€l€nseshall prcvid€ lor a Technology Demnstrdion Prcgram todemonslEtg advancod land romote sensing tshnologies, . . to yleld a les expensivo, more r6ponsiva syst€mthan ths c{rr€nt Landst system . . , '

(bnd R.ml. S.nrlng PollcyAct ot .t992)

"NASA shall s€€k and encourage, tothg mdimum oxlent Dosible. thetullost ommercial use ol soa€. "

(sp|a. Act ot 1958,

Figure 1. Enabling legislation and policies.

and satellite remote sensing systems and in defining areas forNASA technology development programs.

The CRSP plans a combination of terrestrial, airborne,and spacecraft initiatives involving data acquisition, productinnovation, and software applications to expand the demandand capabilities in the field of remote sensing,

Partnership AgreementsThe CRSP has developed the programs shown in Figure 2 inresponse to the challenge of enabling a spatial informationindustry based on remotely sensed data while protectingcompanies' proprietary interests. The vIP offers partnershipopportunities for end-user companies to explore the utility ofthe technologies to meet specific demands. The nocal helpstool-maker and value-added companies further develop andintegrate available technologies and overcome market, cost,distribution, and demonstration hurdles. The TMP encoura8esaerospace and tool-maker companies to use their capabilitiesand uasA's technology, facilities, and expertise to integratesensor, data handling, and archiving technologies to createmarketable products, processes, and services. The followingsections describe each of these programs and present briefcase studies.l

Visiting Investigator ProgramImplemented in 1988, the Visiting Investigator Program pro-vides businesses in emerging markets with low-risk opportu-nities to assess the commercial applications of remotesensing and cts technologies. Program partners develop pro-

totype applications and perform market acceptance tests.This process results in new commercial product lines thatbenefit the company, the public, and NasA (Davis ef o1.,1ee3 ) ,

These three- to six-month projects allow partner compa-nies to investigate remote sensing solutions to their spatialinformation needs, Costs to the partner are limited to com-pany personnel's salary, travel, and Iiving expenses whileworking with the CRSP at NASA'S Stennis Space Center. vtPprojects are solicited through an open invitation,

The CRSP provides access to facilities and technology ex-perts encompassing a full range of remote sensing and imageprocessing capabilities. The facilities allow partners to con-duct viability demonstrations and create marketing products,

goz-ouF

eoco

ahz

figure 2. Remote sensing data flow.1 Specificinvolved.

projects are described with the consent of the companies

319

TreLe 2. VIP Conponere PrnrNeRs

VISITING INVESTIGATOR PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS

Company MarkeVTechnology Topic

BellSouth TelecommunicationsBirmingham, AL

Comrnunity CoffeePort Allen, l,A

DataStar, Inc.Picayune, MS

Earth Search SciencesMcCali, ID

Environmentai Enterprises USASlidell, LA

Fraiser Group, Inc.Nacogdoches, TX

GeoSpectra CorporationAnn Arbor, MI

Global Analysis, Inc,Columbia, MD

Gulf Weather CorporationStennis Space Center, MS

Law Environmental, Inc.Kennesaw, GA

Vernon F. Meyer & AssociatesNew Orleans, LA

Natural Systems Analysts, Inc.Winter Park, FL

Pacific BellSan Ramon, CA

Pyron ConsultantsPottstown, PA

Site Engineering Consultants, Inc.Murfreesboro, TN

Subra CompanyNew lberia, LA

Infrastructure Management

Resource Management

Resource Management

Resource Management

Resource Management

Resource Management

Data Processing

Environmental Monitoring

Data Processing/Analysis

Environmental Monitoring

Infrastructure Management

Infrastructure Management

Infrastructure Management

Resource Management

Infrastructure Management

Environmental Monitoring

Digital Mapping/GlS Development

Coffee Crop Forecasting

Lower Pearl River Valley Hydrology

Mineral Exploration

Change Detection and Wetland Monitoring

Environmentaj Consulting

Aircraft Digital Data Geometric Correction

Landf ilUHazardous Condition DetectionMonitoring

Sonar Software Development

Environmental Effects of Thermal Effluents

Digital Land Information Analysis

Pristine Area Environmental Impact Analysis

Forecasting and Network Planning

Petroleum Exploration

Rutherford County Comprehensive Plan

Non-Point-Source Pollution

Partner companies become familiar with the theoreticaland practical bases for remote sensing, airborne/spacebornedata acquisition, related instrumentation, and data analysistechniques. Participants work with NASA personnel in allstages of the project from needs analysis through dataprocessing to solutions/product development. As a result, re-mote sensing technology is integrated into corporate portfo-lios. The uP has worked with 16 companies through thisprogram, 12 of which decided to incoiporate the teihnologyinto their businesses, Table 2 lists these 16 companies alongwith their market segments and project titles, Two recentlycompleted VIP projects are described in detail in the follow-ing sections.

Site Engineering Consultants, Inc,Site Engineering Consultants, Inc, (SEC, Inc.) is a consultingengineering company whose primary activities involve civil/mechanical engineering applications. Through vtP participa-tion, SEC, Inc. developed an in-house remote sensing/cIs ca-pability for land use planning using satellite digital data andcommercially available vector data to determine the optimalIocation for siting a spray irrigation system for waste water(Figure 3). This application allowed SEC, Inc. personnel todevelop an understanding of digital image processing tech-niques and cls data manipulation. SEC, Inc.'s experience in

320

building land-cover classification maps and conducting spa-tial analysis for municipal facility sites is being incorporatedinto the company's services.

This vtp opportunity has incorporated the use of remotesensing/GIS tools into a non-traditional user forum - a con-sulting civil engineering company. Secondary benefits in-clude integrating more economical solutions directly into theworking environment and thereby introducing other clientsof the firm to the technology through presentations and capa-bility demonstrations.

Law Envircnmental, Inc.Law Environmental, Inc. (LAW) is an environmental engineer-ing and earth sciences consulting firm. LAw's Mp projectevaluated the use of thermal remote sensing to monitor anelectric generating plant's hydrothermal discharge (Plate 1).

The Calibrated Airborne Multispectral Scanner (cAMS),mounted in Stennis Space Center's Learjet, was used to ana-Iyze characteristics of the power plant's thermal plume. LAWused remote sensing techniques to produce images indicatingthe thermal plume's shape, isotherms, and areal coverageand measuring the spatial distribution of surface water tem-perature within the plume. A r"Aw scientist assisted NasApersonnel with thermal data analyses and photographicinterpretation, including development of graphic results.

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Figure 3. Spray inigation system siting analysis.

Plate 1. Plume characteristics,

The environmental community has benefitted from theintroduction of a monitoring source with synoptic and tem-poral revisit capability. The government agency responsiblefor regulating the discharge area commended the effort as ex-emprary.

The vIP has benefitted end-user companies throughshort-term, low-risk investigations exploring the use of re-mote sensing/GlS technologies to meet their needs.

Earlh Obseruations Commercial Applications ProgramEOCAP supports technical, market, and business innovationto develop new products that serve emerging domestic andinternational markets. Technical innovation is augmented byimprovements in product performance, establishment ofstandards, reduction in costs, and expansion of market size.EocAP sponsors an annual solicitation for proposals througha NASA Research Announcement. The competitive review ofthe proposals is based on evaluation of business and techni-cal criteria. Winning proposals typically exhibit the follow-ing characteristics:

. Strong business and marketing plans to introduce innovativesolutions to spatial information demand through effectivepackaging of mature technology,

o Product Advisory Boards to guide the quality of the productto market stage, and

o Substantial financial commitment to the project by the com-panles.

Two solicitations, each with contracts for three-yearprojects, have resulted in EOCAP I (1986-90 with nine compa-nies) and EocAP II (1990-94 with ten companiesJ. The resultsof the EocAP I projects are highlighted in a final program re-port (Hill, 1ssz).

EOCAP is experiencing increasing demand from compa-nies and end-users in emerging and new markets - infra-structure management, environmental monitoring, and publicinformation services. A shift has occurred in market focusfrom regional-scale monitoring to site-scale monitoring in lo-cal management applications. Site-scale applications indicatea need for high spatial resolution data (< 5 metre) with in-creasing geolocation accuracy (< pixel size) and more fre-quent revisit capability (< 1 week) from data acquisitionsources. A comparison of 2.5- and 10-metre data is shown inFigure 4. NASA's EOCAP provides opportunities for companiesto address solutions to these developing market demands.

Corporate partners for E0CAP I and ti are listed in Table3. Selected examples of rocap partnerships are briefly de-scribed below. Please refer to articles published in this jour-nal describing additional NASA EocAP II partnerships withBellsouth Services, James W. Sewall Company, and PacificMeridian Resources.

Applied Analysis, Inc.Applied Analysis, Inc. is developing a new multispectral im-age processing software product for management of wetlandsand other natural resources. The product will be marketed asa module for commercial off-the-shelf (cors) image process-ing systems, such as ERDAS2. The Applied Analysis SpectralAnalytical Process (AASAP) Module will provide a sub-pixeldetection capability to enhance multispectral discriminationpower significantly, provide finer spatial scale detections of

, Mention of specific vendors and/or products is provided for thereader's benefit and does not constitute endorsement on the part ofNASA or Sverdrup Technology, Inc.

322

surface units, and increase existing systems'mensuration ac-curacies. Such tools facilitate the use of remote sensing forexpanding and emerging markets. An advisory panel rep-resenting a significant fraction of potential customers withresource management interests in the southeastern U.S. isclosely reviewing the product and assessing its utility forwetlands delineation.

Earth Satellite CorporationDetecting and mapping natural marine oil seeps has longbeen an important goal of offshore petroleum exploration.Hydrocarbon seeps provide conclusive evidence of petro-Ieum generation and migration within a basin, guidance forfurther exploration, and a crude measure of ultimate basinreserves, thereby greatly reducing a company's explorationrisk. Earth Satellite Corporation (EarthSat) is examining andsynthesizing data from a variety of satellite-based and air-borne sensors to determine which wavelengths of the electro-magnetic spectrum, and which operational and plannedsensors, are the most useful for detecting naturally occurringmarine oil seeps. The company defined two study areas andconstructed a database of known, reported, and suspected lo-cations of natural marine oil seepage in these areas. EarthSatthen acquired, processed, interpreted, and analyzed remotelysensed data in these areas. Surface sampling and examina-tion using a deep submersible then confirmed two of the pre-viously undocumented seeps detected. One digital LandsatThematic Mapper scene was acquired, interactivelyprocessed to enhance the numerous oil slicks present, andprinted for marketing and demonstration use. This scenegenerated much interest and discussion among EarthSat's in-dustry contacts and figures prominently in their planning offuture sea-truth efforts. EarthSat has initiated data-sharingagreements with several oil companies to investigate possibleoil seepage and comparison of the results of their surveytechnique with the results of passive airborne laser fluoro-sensor surveys,

E0CAP EconomicsNASA uses rigorous analysis methods to determine the suc-cess of EocAP. Analysis of nocap I reveals positive net reve-nues and favorable qualitative developments. Figure 5illustrates the actual economic return from EOCAP I with anextrapolated return to 1994 (Macauley, 1993), EOCAP I com-panies show gross cumulative revenues of $7.6M throughFY92 and net return of just under B percent on the total (in-dustry plus government) investment. These results indicate abreak-even return on investment within four years. As ofearly 1993, EOCAP I and II commercial partners have contrib-uted more than $13M (54 percent), which more than matchesNASA'S $11M (46 percent) public investment,

Technology/Market ProgramNAsA uses the TechnologyAr.{arket Program to work with sup-pliers of hardware, software, or services with the potential toexpand remote sensing data sources and tools to address re-lated spatial information markets. Partnership candidatesmay be developers seeking a link to potential markets orseeking to move from prototype to operational status. TheTMP emphasizes exploration of new markets, drawing onNASA and other federal resources to provide technology solu-tions.

Past TMP projects have included a GPS receiver study inconjunction with airborne data acquisition (Rockwell-Col-lins), the investigation of commercial applications for NASA's

figure 4. High resolution comparison of small satellite and sPor.

Large Format Camera, and a study of thermal applications ofthe Thermal Infrared Multispectral Scanner (TIMS) sensor togeological phenomena. Current TMP projects include agree-ments with Lockheed Missiles and Space Company (LMSc)and the Getty Conservation Institute (ccD.

Lockheed Missiles and Space CompanyLMsc is investigating commercial product development is-sues and applications for high spatial resolution, multispec-tral remotely sensed data. LMSC is examining the feasibilityof improved airborne sensor svstems and/or new remotesensing satellites to provide more efficient and cost-effective

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infrastructure mapping, environmental monitoring, and natu-ral resource assessment,

Based on market analysis results, including presenta-tions of prototype high spatial resolution products developedwith Stennis Space Center, LtvISC has filed an applicatio!with the Department of Commerce for a license to launchand operate the Commercial Remote Sensing System (cRsS)satellite.

Getty Conse rvation InstituteThe Getty Conservation Institute (GCt) is examining the util-ity of remotely sensed data and related spatial information

TreLE 3. EOCAP ConponrrE PrRrreRs

EOCAP I CORPORATE PARTNERS

Company MarkeVTechnology Topic

Battelle Space SystemsColumbus, OH

CROPIXHermiston, OR

NASA"iAmes Research CenrerMoffett Field, CA

NASA,/Stennis Space CenterStennis Space Center, MS

Research Planning, Inc.Columbia, SC

San Diego State UniversitySan Diego, CA

James W. SewaII CompanyOId Town, ME

Systems West, Inc.Carmel, CA

The University of California/BerkeleyBerkeley, CA

Infrastructure Management Commercial Development of an Ice Data and Forecasting System

Resource Management Using Landsat to Provide Potato Production Estimates to ColumbiaBasin Farmers and Processors

Resource Management Application of the Airborne Ocean Color Imager for CommercialFishing

Public Information Services An Environmental and Archeological Assessment of the PiedrasNegras Region of Guatemala and Mexico

Environmental Monitoring Comrnercial Environmental Sensitivity Index Mapping Using Re-mote Sensing and GIS Technology

Infrastructure Management Efficient Updates of Vector-coded GISs Using Remotely SensedData

Resource Management Development of Practical, Cost Effective Methods Utilizing SatelliteData for Forest Resources Management

Infrastructure Management Algorithm Development for an Integrated Satellite SST and OCSReceive,Frocess/Display System for Ocean-Going Vessels

Resource Management An Evaluation of Current and Recommendations for Future Uses ofRemotely Sensed Data for Commercial Forest Inventory

EOCAP II CORPORATE PARTNERS

Company MarkeVTechnology Topic

Applied Analysis Inc.Billerica, MA

BellSouth Services, Inc.Birmingham, AL

CROPIXHermiston, OR

Earth Satellite CorporatiorrRockville, MD

Earthscan, Inc.Austin, TX

Natural Resource ConsultantsSeattle, WA

Pacific Meridian ResourcesEmeryville, CA

James W. Sewall CompanyOld Town, ME

Statistical Sciences, Inc.Seattle, WA

Terra-Mar Resource In-formation ServicesMountain View, CA

Resource Management

Infrastructure Management

Resource Management

Resource Management

Environmental Monitoring

Resource Management

Analysis/Applications

Infrastructure Management

Data Analysis

Public Information Service

Wetlands Information Services: A Commercial Application of Re-rnote Sensing and GIS for Economic Development Planning andWetlands ManagementImproved Urban Infrastructure Mapping for Market ForecastingUsing Remote Sensing and GIS TechnologySatellite Remote Sensing for Agricultural Production Management

Demonstrate and Market Oil Seep Surveys

Hazardous Waste Detection: A Pilot Remote Sensing Assisted Envi-ronmental AuditMarketing Remote Sensing Data for North Pacific Fisheries Devel-opment and ManagementDevelopment and Marketing of Land Use and Cover Change Analy-sis System (LUCCAS)Gas Pipeline Infrastructure and Monitoring and Management

Integrated Software System for Analyzing Remotely Sensed Data

Application of Remote Sensing Technology for Realtime DisasterAssessment

technologies in conservation efforts for World Heritage sitesaround the world. The Convention Conceming the Protectionof the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, an internationalagreement dedicated to the conservation of cultural and nat-ural resources at approximately 370 sites worldwide, wasdrafted by the United Nations in 7972. The ccl and the CRSPare evaluating the use of remote sensing to support site man-agement programs for managing the protection of culturaland natural resources. The CRSP and the cCI are focusing ontwo World Heritage sites as prototypes. The ccI/StennisSpace Center partnership wil l compile and analyze cosvben-efit information and will examine the economic returns of aglobal information, monitoring, and communications system.

Working with the GCI, NASA has the opportunity to intro-

324

duce remote sensing to a major new application area, poten-tially opening up new markets for private-sector suppliers.

Public ServiceThe remote sensing capability which resides at StennisSpace Center also serves public needs for remotely senseddata in times of emergency or when commercial systems areunavailable. This need was dramatically demonstrated in1992 by Hurricane Andrew and again by the MississippiRiver flood in the summer of 1993. Stennis Soace Center ac-quired valuable digital remote sensing data and color in-frared photography for use in disaster assessment duringthese periods,

Using remotely sensed data, information concerning

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€

g.-9oo

Fiscol Yeorsourcer SSC/CRSP Oftice

Figure 5. EocAp I investment and revenue stream.

'89 '90 '9.| ',92 '93 ',94

damage from a particular area is collected, analyzed, andcompiled more quickly than with traditional cartographicand windshield survey methods. Changing conditions de-tected through remote sensing are integrated into the disasterresponse plan immediately, providing important informationfor disaster relief efforts.

In August 1992, personnel from Stennis Space Centerflew a Learjet equipped with NASA sensors to southern Flor-ida to acquire digital images of the areas hit hardest by Hur-ricane Andrew (Figure 6). Researchers used NASA's facilitiesand capabilities to demonstrate the viability of analyzing theurban area of south Florida. Areas of severe damage weremapped and priorities were set for the use of limited reliefresources. State officials used the remotely sensed data tomake an accurate assessment of economic impact and de-velop convincing documentation to illustrate the requirementfor assistance. Land-cover maps were generated to show stateofficials the hurricane's impact on commercial, residential,and natural resources. This information will be used to de-

Figure 6. Hurricane Andrew damage assessment,

Sourcei Hi l l et ol , , l99l

Figure 7. AtTs components,

velop long-term land-use plans and more effective disasterresponse measures for southern Florida.

More recently, Stennis Space Center assisted the FederalEmergency Management Administration [rnMA) in the inven-tory of damage caused by flooding on the Mississippi andMissouri Rivers. NASA personnel collected digital multispec-tral data and color infrired photography to alsist FEMA inmapping the extent of flooding and assessing damage.

The acquisition of remotely sensed data to support Fed-eral relief efforts served a dual purpose. First, and most im-portant, was the support to relief efforts in the many citiesfor which data were acquired. The second was verificationand understanding of the market for data that could be usedin future disasters to develop data bases and assess damaee.Furthermore, use of this damage assessment method by n6d-eral agencies may stimulate greater demand for remote sens-ing services provided by U.S. industry,

Data Acquisition InfrastructureNASA supports the spatial information industry through adata acquisition and processing infrastructure. Stennis SpaceCenter has developed an airborne testbed for validating newsensor systems and acquiring prototype data sets that cansimulate future satellite products. Location accuracv reouire-ments are met by infrastiucture based on the CrS, which pro-vides a universal reference for co-registering cIS data. StennisSpace Center has developed and is testing the use of the

Teele 4, ATI-AS Penronv*.rce

ATLAS SPECTRAL, RADIOMETRIC,AND SPATIAI, SPECIFICATIONS

Channel #

HARN for precisely geolocating GIS base-map data layers. Inresponse to the aerospace industry's interest in developingremote sensing systems, Stennis Space Center has conductedfeasibility studies for a remote sensing small satellite system(Birk ef o/., 1991). These NASA activities are described in thefollowing sections.

Airborne Instrument Test SystemThe AIIS is an end-to-end data acquisition and processing fa-cility. AITS optimizes the data acquisition process by provid-ing a digital data handling environment from application todelivery. Quality control, sensor reliability, documentation,and ease of operation are prime performance objectives. Sys-tem implementation entails the integration and enhancementof five elements {Figure 7J: aircraft, iensor systems, data con-version, analysis and applications, and archival distribution(Hil l ef 01., 1se1).

The primary objective in using the ArTS is to developnew products and markets for remote sensing data. The sys-tem provides all the engineering and computational supportrequired for scientific and commercial remote sensing marketdevelopment, Specidized sensor system requirementi can bedetermined for meeting niche markets. Niche-specific sys-tems may allow less expensive fabrication, operation, anddata processing costs.

The AtrS supports the VIP, EOCAP, and TMp projectsthrough access to a dedicated data acquisition and process-ing system.

Nrborne Terrestrial Applications SensorATLAS is designed specifically to support NASA's industrypartners in commercial applications. ATLAS provides versatil-ity- in acquiring high- and mid-resolution spectral and spatialinformation as shown in Table 4 [DaMommio and Kuo, inpublication).

The system consists of an operator console rack and ascan head designed to mount in the equipment bay of a Lear-jet 23 aircraft. ATLAs is available to the cRsp's partners forinvestigating potential remote sensing applications. Optimalspatial and spectral specifications for individual applicationscan be determined through acquisition of coincident spectralc-overage over a range of spatial resolutions. These data spec-ifications can then either be obtained from an existing com-mercial data acquisition service or be provided tocommercial sensor manufacturers for production. ATI,AS isdesigned to simulate the high resolution satell i te data sys-tems of the future (Birk and Spiering, 1992).

The sensor system provides quaiity imagery, high geo-metric fidelity, and the ability to record digital data on an B-mm media Exabyte tape recorder, enabling a direct sensor-to-computer interface. An example of ATLAS data is shown inFigure B.

High Accuracy Reference NetworkThe rnnN, established using GpS technology, is a set of state-wide networks of precisely determined benchmarks refer-enced to the North American Datum 1983 geoid. TheMississippi FTARN network serves both general and special re-quirements at regional, state, area-wide, and Iocal scales (Fig-ure 9J.

An A-order station, enabling cps measurement accura-cies to within a millimetre, has been installed at StennisSpace Center along with regional network leveling (i.e., ele-vation). rnRN benefits for commercial and public users in-clude the followingl

Band Limits, 0.45- O.52-pm 0 .52 0 .60

0 . 6 9 - 0 . 7 6 - 7 . s 5 - 2 . 0 8 -0 .76 0 .90 7 .75 2 .35

0.60 - 0 .63 -0 .63 0 .69

Channel # 1 5I Jt z1 11 0

Band Limits, 3.35 - 8.20 -pm 4 .20 8 .60

9.60 - 10.2 - 71.2 -70.2 17.2 72.2

8 .60 - 9 .00 -9 .00 9 .40

Source: DaMommio and Kuo, in publication

326

Airborne Terrestrial Applications Sensor {ATLAS}

ATtAs b c 15 charn€l lnultbpectral sconner devebped et.StenniC Advsnced S€nsor Deielopttl€lrt ttborstory

Figure 8. AnAs multispectral data.

NASA Stennis StOCe c€ntelconnrercial Reirote teilsing Progrorn

Channef 4 Channel 6Chsnnet 2 Ckannel 10 chonnet 15

o An efficient network of reference stations in Mississippi andits adjacent states supporting crs-based data collection andpositioning accuracies at the centimetre level,

o A physical and communications infrastructure facilitating ap-plication of GPS technology to cts development within theregion,

o A common reference system that facilitates sharing of spatialdata between regional organizations, and

. A universal grid for tying together cIS data,

HARN is used by the cRsP to demonstrate the viability ofa highly accurate georeferencing system for GIS base maps'cIS data layers can be registered with high accuracy in a sin-gle reference system, allowing adjacent areas to form a seam-Iess mosaic and avoiding controversy over discrepancies inboundaries and site perimeters (Mick ef o1., 1993).

Commercial Remote Senslng Technology InitiativeThe prime objective of the cRsTI is to facilitate successfulspace-based remote sensing ventures in the Earth observationand aerospace industry. The CRSTI is dedicated to enablingmarket viability tests and demonstrations to prove the effi-ciency of small satellite systems,

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Through evaluation of performance parameters derivedwhile worliing with VIP and EOCAP partners, the cRsP hasdeveloped an envelope of system nerformance specificationsfor VisibleAlear Infrared (vmn), Short Wave Infrared (swIR)'and Long Wave Infrared (lwn) small satellite systems (Table5 ) .'

World-wide demand for remotely sensed data with spec-ifications similar to those in Table 5 has stimulated thelaunch of a number of satellites over the next six years. Atechnoloev challenge is presented to the U.S. in that the firstsatellites-icheduled- to be launched are from foreign competi-tors, giving them an early advantage. A list -of the commer-cial'siteilile initiatives tfiat have announced plans for launchprior to the year 2000 are presented in Table 6'^

If the cost of placing a remote sensing satellite in orbitcould be significantly reduced, the industry would have ahigher inceirtive for U.S. corporate invest-m-ent, For-example,uslng the AITS to simulate data and to validate markets andrelatlve parameter specifications before sending u-p a s^atellitecould help prove th-e feasibility of the satellite before fundingis commitiei, reducing the investment risk. Two key meth-

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TneLe 5, Svell SnreLure Penronvrlce PnRnvgrens industry, The Visiting Investigator Program provides low-cost, entry-level inveJtigation of remote sensing technology.The Earth Observations Commercial Applications Programprovides larger scale, reduced-risk- oppor-tunities for compa-nies to package innovative technologies for market. TheTechnology/lvlarket Program allows companies to use NASA.rrorrr".r"io perform en-d-to-end spatial information demon-strations and to develop new and emerging markets.

The Airborne Instrument Test System, including its ded-icated commercial applications development multispect-ralsensor and high accuiacy reference network, supports th-esepartnership piograms with dedicated data acquisition infra-structure. t[e Commercial Remote Sensing Technology Initi-ative encourages commercial investment in advanced remotesensing instrumentation deployment.

Through the CRSP, NASA is supporting the developmentof new products, processes, and services utilizing remotesensing^and related spatial technologies. Olly successfulcompa-nies create jobs, accumulate capital for further invest-menl, and produce economic utility to boost long-termgrowth potential. The working partnerships between NASAind the U.S. commercial sector described in this paper facili-tate a two-way flow of ideas and innovation capabilities thatmakes optimum use of the government's investment in re-mote sensing.

AcknowledgmentsThe program is funded by Nasa's Office of Ad-vanced Con-cepti an? Technologies under Unique Projec! Numbers7[22028 and t42zosz. NASA's Commercial Remote SensingProgram Office recognizes the contributions of Paul Maughanand Timothy Alexander, Space Development Services, Inc';Molly Macauley, Resourcei for the Future; and Stennis SpaceCenter contracfor personnel from Sverdrup Technology, Inc'authorized under NASA Contract NAS13-2s0.

ReferencesAntenucci, John C., 1993. GIS: A Postrecession View, Geo Info Sys-

tems, 3(7):60-62.Birk, R. J., and B. Spiering, 1992. Commercial Applications Multis-

peciral Sensor System, Small Satellite Technologies & Applica-t ions II , SPIE, 1691:49-59'

Birk, R. I . , I . M. Tompkins, and G' S. Burns, 1991. Comrnercial RSSmall-Satellite Feasibility Study, Smo1l-S atellite Tech nologtand Applications, SPIE, 7459:2-11.

VNIR SWIR LWIR

Spectral Range (pm)o Resolution. Number of bands

Spatial Resolutiono Zoomo Swath. Stereo

Revisit FrequencyRadiometric Resolution

0.4-1 ,010-15 nm

10-30< q m

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Yes

< Dailyo.s% (NER)

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50-100 nm2-5

= 1 0 m

< Weekly0.5% (NER)

8-72500-1000 nm

1-10

s 2 0 m

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Source: SSC, CAMEO/ARPA (Advanced Systems Technology Office)

ods are available for decreasing development and implemen-tation costs associated with a remote sensing system:

o Implementation within the framework of a small satelliteconfiguration, and

o Utilizition of subsystems derived from proven off-the-shelftechnology.

For a privately funded remote sensing satellite to becommercially profitable, the development and implementa-tion budget must promise a reasonable opportunity for totalcost recovery and profit, This budget implies recovery ofcosts during the period of satellite operations, profit from thecontinued sales of archived data, and development of a rangeof value-added services. Current remote sensing satellite sys-tems, such as Landsat 5 and spor 2, have development costsin the range of $350M and $sroM, respectively. Given lim-ited system operational lifetimes of 3 to 5 years, revenueswould have to exceed $60M annually just to recover thesecosts. In comparison, the estimated lower limit for a S-metrepanchromatic system is around $20M, including integrationand ground station implementation and operational costs.Available technology in small launch vehicles and space-oualified subsvstem miniaturization, with associated de-ireased costs,tould provide a development environment ca-pable of reducing overall costs while maintainingperformance (Birk ef 41., 1991).

SummaryThe Commercial Remote Sensing Program Office at StennisSpace Center supports three programs and a technology baseto assist in developing a competitive U'S. spatial information

TnaLe 6. Scxeouleo SrrElwe LAUNCHES

SYSTEM SPONSOR LAL'NCH SPECTRAL SPATIAL (m)

MIR PRIRODARADARSATINDIASATGREENSATSPOT 4SPOT 5

WORLDVIEWCRSSLANDSAT 7EDOSCAMEO

RUSSIACANADAINDIASOUTH AFRICAFRANCEFRANCE

USA,tlVorldView Imaging Corp./CTA Inc.

USA/Lockheed Missiles and Space Company

USA/Defense Landsat Program OfficeUSA/JAPANUSA,/Advanced Research Projects Agency

199419941995199519962000

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15m

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Source: Space News, Aviation Week & Space Technology

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