NASA JSC Crew Earth Observations (CEO) Astronaut Photography International Disaster Charter

Natural disasters – including such events as tropical storms, earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions, and wildfires –effect hundreds of millions of people worldwide, and also cause billions of dollars (USD) in damage to the global economy. Remotely sensed data acquired by orbital sensor systems has emerged as a vital tool to identify the extent of damage resulting from a natural disaster, as well as providing near-real time mapping support to response efforts on the ground and humanitarian aid efforts. Currently, NASA works with the USGS to acquire remote sensing imagery of areas around the world affected by natural disasters. These images are a part of an international effort (the International Charter Space and Major Disasters, or IDC) to supply free satellite imagery to emergency responders across the globe. The International Space Station (ISS) is a unique terrestrial remote sensing platform for acquiring disaster response imagery. Unlike automated remote-sensing platforms it has a human crew; is equipped with both internal and externally-mounted remote sensing instruments; and has an inclined, low-Earth orbit that provides variable views and lighting (day and night) over 95 percent of the inhabited surface of the Earth. As such, it provides a useful complement to free-flyer based, sun-synchronous sensor systems in higher altitude polar orbits.