Eric D. Colburn, PLS

Professional Land Surveyor News

Professional Land Surveyor News: NOAA Releases Real-Time RTK Guidelines

This is a press release published by NOAA’s National Geodetic Survey (NGS) with important information for professional land surveyors who are using Real-Time GNSS positioning.

NOAA’s National Geodetic Survey (NGS) recently announced the approval and release of a document titled “National Geodetic Survey User Guidelines for Single Base Real-Time GNSS Positioning.” The guidelines provide definitive criteria to achieve various specific tiers of precision, with high confidence, using global navigation satellite systems (GNSS). Due to the plethora of variables associated with Real-Time GNSS positioning (RT), a consistent Read the rest of this entry →

A United Launch Alliance Delta IV rocket lifts off with the NASA/NOAA GOES-P from Space Launch Complex-37 at 6:57 p.m. EST. High resolution (Credit: The Boeing Company)

Here’s a news article from earlier this month that I missed, but thought was interesting. Besides, the picture of the rocket taking off is pretty cool, too!

Newest NOAA Geostationary Satellite Reaches Orbit

GOES-P has improved severe weather, solar storm detection capabilities

March 4, 2010

NOAA and NASA officials announced a new Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES), launched tonight, successfully reached its initial orbit, joining four other GOES spacecraft that help NOAA forecasters track life-threatening weather and solar activity.

The new satellite, GOES-P, lifted off at 6:57 pm EST from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, and separated from the launch vehicle at11:18 pm EST. The first signal from the satellite was captured at the same time.

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Professional Land Surveyor News

FEMA and NOAA Renew Partnership to Encourage Flood Safety

March 15, 2010

As one of the snowiest winter seasons in many years yields to warmer weather and the promise of rain and snowmelt, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s FloodSmart Campaign and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced that they are again working together during Flood Safety Awareness Week (March 15-19) to raise awareness of the dangers associated with flooding and steps to protect against damage. Year in and year out, floods are the most common, costly and deadly severe weather related disaster in the U.S. NOAA will announce this year’s official spring flood outlook on March 16, and an unusually wet and snowy winter in many communities will likely increase the potential for spring flood events. Both agencies urge that important measures can–and should–be taken now to ensure safety and financial security, including obtaining flood insurance.

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Lowell will also serve as Chief Hydrographer for the United States

November 2, 2009

NOAA Corps Capt. John E. Lowell, Jr., new director of NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey with Capt. Steven R. Barnum, former director of NOAA's Office of Coast Survey. High resolution (Credit: NOA

NOAA Corps Capt. John E. Lowell, Jr., has been named the new director of NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey. He will simultaneously serve as the U.S. national hydrographer. In his dual roles, Lowell will be responsible for overseeing NOAA’s hydrographic services, including the mapping and charting of all U.S. navigational waters, as well as represent the United States in international hydrographic efforts.

“We’re delighted that John Lowell has been named to this important leadership post within the National Ocean Service,” said John H. Dunnigan, assistant administrator of NOAA’s National Ocean Service. “He brings to the position a wealth of experience through a wide variety of assignments during his 26-year NOAA career. His experience and leadership will serve the nation well as we focus on important changes that will improve navigational safety and coastal protection.”

Lowell takes over the director’s helm after serving for the past three years as chief of the Office of Coast Survey’s Marine Chart Division. In that position, he oversaw the testing and acceptance of a new system that will revolutionize the production of nautical charts. The new chart system, which is undergoing a five-year transition period, will improve the quality, consistency, and timeliness of providing nautical charting data to the nation.

Graduating in 1982 from the Florida Institute of Technology, Lowell earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Oceanographic Technology. He recently completed the JFK Harvard Senior Executive Fellowship program.

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National Ocean Service-Diving Deeper Podcast-What is Land Cover Data?

Learn about land cover data in this interview with Nate Herold from the NOAA Coastal Services Center. The discussion highlights the difference between land cover and land use, how land cover data is collected, and some of the many applications of land cover data.

Diving Deeper is a bi-weekly audio podcast featuring discussions with NOS scientists on a wide variety of ocean topics.

Professional Land Surveyor Source

NOAA-Diving Deeper Podcast Series

Proposed Modernization Program to Net Additional $522 Million

Survey marks serve as permanent, accurate reference stations for precise positioning. High resolution (Credit: NOAA)

The NOAA-managed National Spatial Reference System (NSRS), the official U.S. government source for precise latitude, longitude and elevation measurements, provides more than $2.4 billion in potential annual benefits to the U.S. economy, according to a new independent study. Refining and modernizing the system for measuring elevation has the potential to net an additional $522 million in annual economic benefits.

Conducted by Leveson Consulting, Jackson, N.J., the study analyzed the total economic value of all revenue generated from private surveying and mapping as well as from related services in the government and nonprofit sectors. It also assessed the potential cost savings due to improved accuracy of position and elevation data.

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National Ocean Service-Diving Deeper Podcast-What is Hydrography

Learn about hydrography in this interview with Jerry Mills from the Office of Coast Survey. The discussion highlights why hydrography is important, the tools used to collect hydrographic data, and how it is used.

Diving Deeper is a bi-weekly audio podcast featuring discussions with NOS scientists on a wide variety of ocean topics.

Professional Land Surveyor Source: NOAA-Diving Deeper Podcast Series

Use of Synthetic Aperture Sonar Results in Significant Project Cost Reduction

SUNNYVALE, California, July 10, 2009 – Applied Signal Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: APSG) (AST), a market leader in advanced underwater imaging systems as well as other intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance systems, today announced that it had recently assisted C & C Technologies, Inc., using its PROSAS™ Surveyor synthetic aperture sonar (SAS) system to survey the integrity of seven pipeline structures in the Gulf of Mexico for a major oil company. Specifically, AST was tasked to evaluate the critical positioning of mattresses that are used to protect exposed pipelines from marine traffic, tidal scour, and storm impact and to determine whether structural repairs were required. C & C Technologies, Inc.  is a privately-owned international surveying and mapping company specializing in deepwater services.

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National Ocean Service-Diving Deeper Podcast-What are Tides?

Learn about tides in this interview with Steve Gill from the Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services. The discussion highlights what causes tides, the factors that affect them, and why we study tides.

Diving Deeper is a bi-weekly audio podcast featuring discussions with NOS scientists on a wide variety of ocean topics.

Professional Land Surveyor Source: NOAA-Diving Deeper Podcast Series

National Ocean Service-Diving Deeper Podcast-What is Geodesy?

Learn about geodesy in this interview with Dru Smith from the National Geodetic Survey. The discussion highlights why geodesy is important and how we rely on it every day.

Diving Deeper is a bi-weekly audio podcast featuring discussions with NOS scientists on a wide variety of ocean topics.

Professional Land Surveyor Source: NOAA-Diving Deeper Podcast Series