Applications are being sought for the prestigious
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-David Johnson
Award. Nominees are professionals who have developed an innovative
use of Earth observation satellite data that can be used to assess
or predict atmospheric, oceanic or terrestrial conditions. Announcement
of the nomination search was made today by the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, an agency of the
U.S. Department of Commerce.
The deadline for nominations is Dec. 1.

The NOAA-David Johnson Award is presented
by the National Space Club in honor of the first administrator
of what was to become NOAA’s
National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service.
David Johnson, now retired, was a pioneer in operational meteorological
satellites. The award will be presented at the annual Goddard
Memorial Dinner March 2002.

"NOAA is honored to be a partner in
this notable award that recognizes the importance of satellite
data for studying the Earth’s environment, " said Greg Withee,
assistant administrator for satellite and information services.
"The use of satellite data helps us to better understand,
monitor and predict factors that affect our planet."

A nominee should use satellite data with
a practical, on-going purpose that could be used to assess or
predict environmental conditions on a regular, operational basis.
Examples include the use of Earth observation data for fire monitoring,
weather forecasting, climate monitoring or prediction, global
change detection, volcanic ash tracking, vegetation/drought monitoring,
oil spill tracking, rainfall measurements or forecasts, hurricane
landfall predictions and fisheries management. The data may be
from any Earth observation satellite, including NOAA or other
U.S. government or commercial or foreign satellites.

A committee composed of eminent professionals
in the field will select the recipient for the award. The nominee
must be a United States citizen, national, or permanent resident,
and not more than 40 years of age by Dec. 31, 2001.

Individuals or groups may be nominated.
For group nominations, all members of the group should have been
actively involved in the design or implementation of the demonstrated
use, and each must be a United States citizen, national or permanent
resident. The leader of the group must be clearly identified.

The National Space Club must receive nominations
with the complete application by Dec. 1, 2001. Applications should
be sent to: National Space Club; Christopher A. Waln, Director,
Strategic Operations, Space and Communications Operating Unit,
TASC; 4801 Stonecroft Blvd.; Chantilly, VA 20151. Applications
may also be e-mailed to: cawaln@tasc.com

For eligibility criteria and application
information, see the Web site at: http://www.publicaffairs.noaa.gov/announcements.html.
For more information, contact Jane D’Aguanno in NOAA’s Office
of the Assistant Administrator for Satellite and Information
Services at (301) 713-3385, fax (301) 713-1249, e-mail: Jane.Daguanno@noaa.gov

The Commerce Department’s National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration is dedicated to enhancing economic
security and national safety through the prediction and research
of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental
stewardship of our nation’s coastal and marine resources.

To learn more about NOAA, please visit
http://www.noaa.gov.