Technology Expo

What: Code 290, the Information Services Division, is pleased to invite all GSFC personnel to attend the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Technology Exposition. Over 25 exhibitors will be on hand to demonstrate the latest in information technology. Complimentary refreshments and free giveaways will be available.

When/Where: Thursday, June 12, 2003, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., in the Building 8 auditorium.

For more info, contact: Charlene Malloy at 6 -5869 or Dr. Jean-Marie Jean-Pierre at 6-4860.

Earth Science Seminars
There will be a series of three Earth Science seminars at 1 p.m. on June 3, 4 and 5 in Bldg. 33, Room H114 by Drs. Jon Ranson, Jim Irons and John Schnase.

Tuesday, June 3rd a 1 p.m. in bldg 33, room H114
REMOTE SENSING SCIENCE AND FOREST ECOSYSTEM DYNAMICS
K. Jon Ranson, Biospheric Sciences Branch / Code 923

Forest cover type and structure are fundamental parameters for understanding the global carbon cycle and ecosystem dynamics in the face of changing climate. The circumpolar boreal forest covers 1.2x109 ha or about 30% of the worlds total forest area and about three-fourths of its coniferous forest. The boreal forest also represents a large fraction of the Earth's exploitable timber resources. It is important to understand the current state of this forest as well as the changes taking place in response to climate change and increasing human pressures. Current remote sensing techniques using coarse resolution senors have contributed greatly to monitoring global forests in terms of vegetation cover and density. A variety of new technologies are available for studying the finer scale structure of forests, but require some basic research before wider use is possible and new missions before global coverage is practical. The work reported here is a series of projects aimed at using new technologies to advance our understanding of northern forests in the US, Canada and Russia through remote sensing science. In addition, a current project that utilizes a multisensor approach to boreal forest dynamics in Siberia is discussed.

Wednesday, June 4th at 1 p.m. in bldg 33 room H114
THE LANDSAT DATA CONTINUITY MISSION; COMMERCIALIZATION, AGAIN
Jim Irons, Biospheric Sciences Branch / Code 923

NASA is again attempting to commercialize the Landsat Program. As a follow-on to the successful government-owned / government-operated Landsat 7 mission, NASA intends to procure Landsat data from a privately-owned and commercially-operated remote sensing system beginning in March 2007. This effort is being called the Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM). NASA released a solicitation this past January for proposals from private firms interested in acquiring LDCM data as part of a commercial business.

The selected commercial operator will be required to deliver an average of 250 Landsat scenes to the U.S. Geological Survey EROS Data Center (EDC) per day. The data must be compliant with an LDCM Data Specification and EDC will distribute data products in accordance with an LDCM Data Policy. The presentation will describe the LDCM concept, the Data Specification, and the Data Policy. The role of the Biospheric Science Branch in the LDCM will also be discussed.

Thursday, June 5th @ 1 p.m. in 33 / H114
NASA'S INVASIVE SPECIES NATIONAL APPLICATION
John Schnase, Earth and Space Data Computing Division / Code 930

The Earth Science Enterprise has identified invasive species as one of twelve national applications that can be served by NASA aerospace research and development of science and technologies. The lead partner agency for the invasive species application is the US Geological Survey. NASA and USGS are working together to develop a National Invasive Species Forecasting System for the management and control of invasive species on Department of Interior and adjacent lands. The project is using early detection and monitoring protocols and predictive models developed at the USGS Fort Collins Science Center to process NASA and commercial data and create on-demand, regional-scale assessments of invasive species patterns and vulnerable habitats. In this talk, Dr. Schnase will describe the development of the invasive species application, the USGS partnership, and how a multidisciplinary team within Code 900 is contributing to the effort.

Upcoming Training

LEARN TO WRITE AND EDIT FOR THE WEB
There are still seats available for next week's training class (June 3-4) on web communication. You don't need to be a webmaster or an HTML guru to attend -- it's intended for anyone who creates content, not just for webmasters. This class will help you improve your writing skills and get your message across. Merry Bruns is a well-known instructor with a background in science writing, and this course has been designed specifically for a NASA audience.

For more information, contact Sherry Tharpe at 6-6533 or visit: http://ohrcoursecatalog.gsfc.nasa.gov/search/description.cfm?course=1004
This is a center funded course. Please submit training requests ASAP.

LEARN HOW TO DESIGN WEB SITES PEOPLE CAN ACTUALLY USE
There are still seats available for "The Science and Art of Effective Web Design." Taught June 10-12, this class explains the concept of usability - designing for the way the USER thinks, not for the programmer. Novices shouldn't be scared off by the word "design" in the title - this class does not require knowledge of HTML. Instead, it draws on thousands of research studies on user behavior, and on the principles of successful visual design. You will learn to create sites that make sense to users while providing an enjoyable and compelling experience.

For more information, contact Sherry Tharpe at 6-6533 or visit
http://ohrcoursecatalog.gsfc.nasa.gov/search/description.cfm?course=1003
This is a center funded course. Please submit tr aining requests ASAP.

In the IDP Workshop for Supervisors and the IDP Workshop for Employees, many questions have come up around the IDP process. Under OHR's career development page, there is a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) that have come from both supervisors and employees. These questions have been answered by OHR staff and legal counsel. Please take time to review these FAQs at http://ohr.gsfc.nasa.gov/DevGuide/idp.htm.
Questions? Please contact Tracey White.

The view all of the upcoming training courses, visit: http://ohr.gsfc.nasa.gov/DevGuide/Calendar/home.htm

Cows, Shorts, Whipped Cream, DMV, & Other Things Not Seen on TV

Curious? See MAD's Spring Drama Show on June 13 & 14 in the Bldg. 3 Auditorium at 8 p.m. Produced by John Catena and directed by Ruth Barrowcliff, Steve Yednock (both of them), and Barbara Ying, the show is a delightful evening of one-act plays. Tickets are only $6/person -- Hurry, sales end June 6. Call 240-568-4158 for tickets/info.