NASA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture have signed a memorandum of understanding to deepen cooperation on Earth observation and geospatial analytics for crop monitoring and disaster assessment.
NASA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding expanding their cooperation in Earth observation, geospatial analytics and advanced data technologies, according to a NASA announcement. The agreement supports USDA's data modernization plan for American agriculture. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins signed it on Oct. 24 during NASA's Inspiration Tour at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
Under the memorandum, the two agencies can explore work in agricultural statistics, remote sensing science, modeling, geospatial data engineering and what NASA calls "super intelligence." They also plan to look at how Earth observation data and analytical tools can be better matched to farming needs, with the aim of improving crop monitoring, acreage and yield estimates, and assessments of drought and other disasters. NASA describes the arrangement as a deepening of a longstanding partnership on research and data sharing rather than a new relationship.
Isaacman said NASA's sensing, computing and analytical capabilities should be put to work "wherever they can deliver meaningful outcomes," including better information for farmers and ranchers. Rollins said the partnership would help USDA improve acreage and yield estimation. NASA says the agencies will also examine new ways to manage and analyze large datasets, which could give farmers, ranchers and policymakers more timely and reliable information. The announcement describes areas the agencies may explore and does not set out budgets, timelines or specific products.
