Development of A Regional Capability For the Use of Remote Sensing Products, The Northeast Area Remote Sensing System (NEARSS)

Northeast U. S. researchers and managers are beginning to acquire the capability to manipulate satellite data and to apply it regularly and routinely in their endeavor to solve problems that are associated with the environment. To make full use of this powerful and revolutionary tools however, it is necessary to have timely access to the data, as well as convenient access to processing and analytical equipment. Twelve major and diverse institutions are now formal members of a Northeast Area Remote Sensing System (NEARSS) Association. Through contributions (support, people, money, equipment) from these institutions, a regional net for the distribution of analog images transmitted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)/National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) over the GOES-tap has been put in place. The NEARSS Federal Data Processing Center (FDPC) was authorized by the General Services Administration (GSA) in the fall of 1982 to facilitate phased acquisition, processing and dissemination of remotely sensed environmental data. The first phase, to become operational this winter, is an interface to access and redistribute within the region real-time digital GOES data. A receiver and interconnection network for accessing, storing and manipulating digital data was designed in the spring of 1983. The priority now is to gain near-real-time access to full resolution digital data from NOAA´s polar orbiting satellites. The Northeast Area Remote Sensing System Association First Annual Report 1983, a review of progress made in the 15 months (September 1981-December 1982) of the NEARSS Association, its history, mode of operation, and the interests of the member institutions is available upon request.