Civil air patrol research for sensor selection for emergency response background: NASA SSC manages a reimbursable space act agreement partnership with the dept. Of homeland security (DHS) science…

Civil air patrol research for sensor selection for emergency response background: NASA SSC manages a reimbursable space act agreement partnership with the dept. Of homeland security (DHS) science and technology directorate to explore geospatial technologies to support DHS first responders. DHS has funded several recent research projects focused on developing systems for rapid response digital aerial imaging acquisition and delivery to first responders for disasters. DHS and NASA are currently working with the civil air patrol (cap) in support of a cap effort to identify and acquire a next generation airborne sensor system to use in their emergency response efforts. Cap will be releasing a request for proposals (RFP) to industry for airborne sensor solutions to support the cap s disaster response mission using predominantly cessna 172, cessna 182, cessna 206 and gippsland GA-8 air craft. This RFP will call for specific technical detail concerning sensor systems and will also include the submission of example data from the proposed sensor suites. Cap would also like to use their existing suite of basic digital single lens reflex camera to produce geographically registered and geometrically accurate images as well as extend the period of operation of those cameras beyond the traditional optimal illumination periods of 10 am to 2 PM. Because cap is an operational organization lacking in-depth knowledge of sensor performance characteristics, they have requested research assistance from NASA and DHS to research and present sensor system technology specifications, conduct technical evaluation of the submitted imagery samples, and provide an assessment of radiometry and spatial resolution. Tasks: 1. Research and identify RFP technical requirements. A. Provide technical guidance in the development of RFP language for sensor system criteria. Deliverable: technical report in the form of a memo, slides, or oral presentation by phone as requested during the development of the RFP. B. Provide technical guidance on the RFP language guiding the submission of sensor data for evaluation including: deliverable: technical report in the form of a memo, slides, or oral presentation by phone. I. Data formats to be submitted II. Data acquisition parameters to reduce variability among submissions III. Evaluation criteria to be used by cap in determining data quality c. Investigate the technical suitability of sensor systems proposed under the RFI for application to the cap mission and disaster response in particular. Research and develop appropriate data specifications for these sensor systems. Deliverable: technical report d. Develop appropriate technical review guidelines for use by cap during project execution. Deliverable: technical report.