NASA and USDA Sign Earth Science Data Agreement
NASA and USDA signed a memorandum expanding cooperation on Earth observation, geospatial analytics and data technologies for U.S. agriculture.
The story in focus
NASA announced that Administrator Jared Isaacman and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins signed a memorandum of understanding on October 24 during NASA's Inspiration Tour at the University of Alabama, expanding cooperation in Earth observation, geospatial analytics and data technologies to support USDA's data modernization for U.S. agriculture.
- The agreement was signed October 24 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and announced by NASA on October 26.
- It focuses on Earth observation, geospatial analytics and advanced data technologies supporting USDA's data modernization plan.
- The agencies may explore agricultural statistics, remote sensing science, modeling, geospatial data engineering and super intelligence.
- Potential uses include improved crop monitoring, acreage and yield estimates, and drought and disaster assessments.
What the agreement covers
NASA said the memorandum expands cooperation in Earth observation, geospatial analytics and advanced data technologies, supporting USDA's data modernization plan for United States agriculture. The agreement deepens a longstanding partnership that has included collaborative research and data-sharing.
Under the agreement, the agencies can explore activities in agricultural statistics, remote sensing science, modeling, geospatial data engineering and super intelligence. NASA and USDA will also examine how to better align Earth observation data and analytical tools with agricultural needs, including improved crop monitoring, acreage and yield estimates, and assessments of drought and other disasters.
A second area is data management: the agencies will examine new approaches for managing and analyzing large datasets, with the aim of strengthening USDA's data systems while providing farmers, ranchers and policymakers with more timely and reliable information.
How it was announced
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins signed the agreement on October 24 during NASA's Inspiration Tour at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, according to the agency. NASA announced the signing on October 26.
In NASA's release, Isaacman said NASA's sensing, computing and analytical capabilities should be applied where they can deliver outcomes for the American people. Rollins said the partnership would enhance USDA acreage and yield estimation and support profitability for American agriculture.
The release describes the work as a set of areas the agencies can explore rather than a schedule of committed programs or new funding. No start date for specific projects was given.
When and where was the NASA-USDA agreement signed?
According to NASA, Administrator Jared Isaacman and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins signed it on October 24 during NASA's Inspiration Tour at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
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