Remote Sensing Aircraft Supports Disaster Response Mark Foster Computer Sciences Corp. NASA Ames Research Center CENIC 2008 - March 10-12, 2008 CENIC 08: Lightpath to the Stars 1
Outline Disaster Scenarios Remote Sensing Aircraft: Ikhana Data collection and redistribution Field Retrieval of Data/Imagery Successes, feedback Affiliated efforts: Google NASA Disaster Response Project CENIC 08: Lightpath to the Stars 2
Disaster Scenarios fire Zaca Fire - Santa Barbara Harris Fire - San Diego Lick Fire - Bay Area large scale flooding regional earthquake CENIC 08: Lightpath to the Stars 3
Geospatial Data for Disaster Response awareness is essential identify problem areas and priorities plan logistics, search and rescue fix access routes and staging areas multiple data types & sources satellite and aerial imagery ground sensors (fixed & mobile) discrete and streaming data feeds multiple users must be supported government, commercial, non-profits US&R, fire, police, community, etc. range of experience, knowledge, needs NRC (2007) Hurricane Rita track Hurricane Katrina assessment CENIC 08: Lightpath to the Stars 4
Ikhana: Unmanned Science and Research Aircraft System Predator B-derived to support Earth Science missions and advanced aeronautical technology development testbed to improve utility of unmanned aerial systems designed for long-endurance, high-altitude flight; modified and instrumented for multiple civil research roles 2400 lbs of instruments, can fly 18K-29K ft, or above 41K ft Up to 24 hr data collection flight NASA Dryden Ground Control CENIC 08: Lightpath to the Stars 5
Ikhana Autonomous Modular Scanner 12 spectral channels, from visible through reflective, mid- and thermal infrared detects thermal temperature differences from 0.5 to approx. 1,000 degrees F spatial resolution 50 ft at 20,000 ft altitude PI: Vince Ambrosia, NASA Ames Research Center (http://geo.arc.nasa.gov) installing AMS in under-wing sensor pod CENIC 08: Lightpath to the Stars 6
Ikhana Mission Planning Process Google Earth MODIS USFS, UMD WAN Generate mission plan Publish HTTP Server kml Display: Google Earth Weather NWS, NRL Fire Incidents USGS, NIFC Select Targets Google Earth text Generate Flight plan Flight Restrictions FAA (Collaborative Decision Environment: courtesy Francis Enomoto,NASA ARC) CENIC 08: Lightpath to the Stars 7
sensor data preprocessed on-board Data Collection/Distribution data downlink via geosynchronous satellite WAN processing, additional data processing, merge with Google Earth data at NASA ARC Google Earth Internet overlay geo data prep for redistribution prepare for redistribution to Incident Command CENIC Internet NASA Ames CENIC 08: Lightpath to the Stars 8
CDE: Dynamic Data Display, Instant Messaging, Real-time Video CENIC 08: Lightpath to the Stars 9
Collaborative Decision Environment: Google Earth client Real-time 3-D rendering and fly through of acquired fire imagery (CDE courtesy Francis Enomoto, NASA ARC) CENIC 08: Lightpath to the Stars 10
Ikhana Support for Harris Fire sophisticated thermalinfrared imaging equipment peers through smoke and haze hot spots (in yellow) are concentrated on the ridgeline in the left center of the photo images aid Incident Commanders in allocating resources CENIC 08: Lightpath to the Stars 11
cell, wireless (HPWREN) when possible NASA DARTCOM, NREN: portable satellite ground station Data Retrieval in the Field serve isolated command center higher data rate possible: better fidelity images, improved interactivity supports data, voice, video capabilities can provide ethernet, 802.11 for local access field deployable KU Band Satellite dish 2.8m 10 shippable cases 1-30 Mbps bidirectional NASA Ames permanent ground station provides a seamless and fully secured link to NASA Ames and internet resources CENIC 08: Lightpath to the Stars 12
Support for SoCA Firestorms supported emergency request by CA- Governor s OES, NIFC-NICC, FEMA deployed team within 24-hours of request flew four missions (~32 hrs total) over SoCA fires on Oct 24, 25, 26, 28 delivered Real-Time data to all fire Incident Commands (ICs) and county and city Emergency Ops Center s via CDE > 40K downloads of data from ARC server >150 simultaneous users of CDE / day during six-day period of mission provided burn area assessment imagery to support recovery efforts simultaneously with active fire imagery collection EOC using Witch CDE & Poomacha Fire Flight Plan in CDE Fire Imagery CENIC 08: Lightpath to the Stars 13
WSFM Flights Feedback Aug / Sept 2007 Incident Command on the Lick Fire: Unbelievable!!! I just came in (to the IC) from igniting a scary back fire, not knowing if it was effective. When I saw the real-time UAV imagery, I knew I could sleep tonight; our lines were effective. You saved us a million dollars in operations and thousands of acres of burned area!! Situation Unit Leader on Moonlight Fire: You guys rock! We gained some excellent intel on the northeast and southwest sides of our fire that will greatly help for tomorrow morning's briefing! Please pass our thanks along to your team. CENIC 08: Lightpath to the Stars 14
Google NASA Disaster Response Project objectives produce software tools that make a difference make disaster response faster & better help save lives and property approach improve situational awareness after an event make geospatial data easy to acquire & use develop and release open-source tools focus areas rapid response imaging user interfaces (command post & mobile) outreach & community building collaborations (courtesy Terry Fong, NASA ARC) CENIC 08: Lightpath to the Stars 15
GeoCam: Low-cost Geospatial Imaging US&R GPS tag position + Ricoh Caplio 500SE LTI TruPulse 360 IMU or compass orientation distance real-time wireless update Disaster site victims (courtesy Terry Fong, NASA ARC) Google Earth (automatic image billboards) CENIC 08: Lightpath to the Stars 16
Automatic Google Earth Overlays geo-referenced image billboards enable first responders to manage (and synchronize) large data sets situational & spatial awareness replace manual workflow (print, identify, cut, paste, ) features automatic import of new images (auto-update KML) position and orientation of camera & image are indicated billboards can be interactively explored at full resolution searchable tags + custom icons (e.g., FEMA markings) Aerial recon Ground assessment (courtesy Terry Fong, NASA ARC) CENIC 08: Lightpath to the Stars 17
Provide significant societal benefit from NASA-sponsored earth science, technology and models; can be applied to state, regional and national emergencies. Illustrates the success of the approach of the NASA Applied Science Program to drive science to implementation for the betterment of the community. The capabilities demonstrated are currently being implemented by the fire management agency partners. Opportunities exist for other agency partnerships. Summary Higher bandwidth service to Incident Command sites and EOC s is crucial to maximize utility and capability. CENIC 08: Lightpath to the Stars 18
Thank You - Questions? Mark Foster Computer Sciences Corp NASA Ames Research Center mark.foster @ nasa.gov More info on wildfire research: geo.arc.nasa.gov/sge/wrap CENIC 08: Lightpath to the Stars 19