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NASA Science News for May 16, 2003

Mesoamerica Burning

Part 2 of 2

Planning for the future

In December, NASA signed a new agreement with the CCAD and the World
Bank to continue the use of satellites for the corridor project, and
to look into an innovative new way of making the satellite data
available. 

The concept they're considering is a live "dashboard" showing the
state of the environment in Central America as seen by NASA
satellites in near real-time, just as the dials on a car dashboard
show the state of the car. A computing "pipeline" would be designed
that would automatically gather the latest data from the satellites,
process the raw data into a relevant and useful form, and present
this user-friendly information to the people who need it: Central
American politicians, civic leaders, and even local students. 

"The information would be available in a timely manner for the
Central American decision makers--the ministers, the people who are
really making the calls about the environment down there," Irwin
says. 

After all, when the fires are ablaze, time is of the essence.

Credits & Contacts
Author: Patrick L. Barry 
Responsible NASA official: Ron Koczor 
Production Editor: Dr. Tony Phillips 
Curator: Bryan Walls 
Media Relations: Steve Roy

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