NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

First Light for ISERV Pathfinder, Space Station's Newest 'Eye' on Earth

This "first light" image from ISERV shows the mouth of the Rio San Pablo in Veraguas, Panama, as it empties into the Gulf of Montijo. This wetland supports an important local fishery and provides habitat for many mammals and reptiles, as well as several species of nesting and wintering water birds. The image was captured Feb. 16. (ISERV) From the Earth-facing window of the International Space Station's (ISS) Destiny module, nearly 95 percent of the planet's populated area is visible during the station's orbit. This unique vantage point provides the opportunity to take photos to be taken of Earth from space. With the installation and activation of the ISS SERVIR Environmental Research and Visualization System (ISERV), NASA will be able to provide even higher resolution images of Earth! The ISERV camera system''s mission is to gain experience and expertise in automated data acquisition from the space station. ISERV is expected to provide useful images for disaster monitoring and assessment and environmental decision making.

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ISERV Team Earns NASA Silver Achievement Medal

The International Space Station SERVIR Environmental Research and Visualization System (ISERV) Project Team (NASA/MSFC) The International Space Station SERVIR Environmental Research and Visualization System (ISERV) Team was honored at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Annual Honor Awards Ceremonies for receiving the prestigious NASA Silver Achievement Medal. This Agency medal is awarded for stellar achievement that supports one or more of NASA's Core Values – Safety, Excellence, Teamwork, and Integrity.

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The SERVIR initiative integrates satellite observations, ground-based data and forecast models to monitor and forecast environmental changes and to improve response to natural disasters. SERVIR enables scientists, educators, project managers and policy implementers to better respond to a range of issues including disaster management, agricultural development, biodiversity conservation and climate change. Principally supported by NASA and the US Agency of International Development, or USAID, a strong emphasis is placed on partnerships to fortify the availability of searchable and viewable earth observations, measurements, animations, and analysis. A SERVIR coordination office and rapid prototyping facility is located at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Regional SERVIR hubs are located at the Water Center for the Humid Tropics of Latin America and the Caribbean, or CATHALAC, in Panama and the Regional Center for Mapping of Resources for Development, or RCMRD, based in Kenya, and the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development, or ICIMOD, located in Kathmandu, Nepal.