The Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) today announced a partnership with the National Geographic Society to utilize data produced on board the International Space Station (ISS) U.S. National Laboratory capable of developing images to inspire and educate from humankind’s greatest learning platform. This follows a prior announcement between CASIS and the United Nations Operational Satellite Applications Program (UNOSAT) last month focused on the advancement of a next-generation hyperspectral imager on the ISS.
Based on discussions with potential customers including National Geographic, CASIS, manager of the ISS National Lab, has elected to expand the use of the “Good Earth” imaging suite to include multiple next-generation sensors, such as hyperspectral, light detection and radar, synthetic aperture radar and high-resolution panchromatic. Ultimately, these enhanced capabilities will utilize data-fusion techniques to improve the value of any image obtained on the ISS. The primary intent of these imagers will be to utilize the unique vantage point of the ISS for prototype technology development and advanced technology imagery for images relative to humanitarian relief, disaster recovery and prevention, and in-country planning and development as well as other commercial applications.
Through this partnership, National Geographic and CASIS seek to jointly promote space-derived imagery in an effort to highlight new scientific discoveries from the ISS.
National Geographic, one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations, has a global reach of more than 600 million people a month through its various media platforms, products and events. The partnership could allow National Geographic’s vast audience to view the world in a whole new way — 250 miles above our planet.
“We are honored to be working with the National Geographic Society to radically improve how we understand our planet through imagery captured from the International Space Station,” said CASIS President and Executive Director Gregory H. Johnson.
“Our collaboration with CASIS represents the latest example of National Geographic’s pursuit of innovative visual storytelling techniques. Access to not only new images but an entirely new way of seeing our world is consistent with our strategic focus on exploration, education and storytelling,” said National Geographic’s Senior Vice President, Global Strategy and Business Development, Adam R. Sutherland.
