Locating Unexploded Ordnance Using Satellite Imagery; How El Niño Can Give Early Warning of Crop Failures; NASA Harvest Latin America; and More!

Project Geospatial Interviews NASA Harvest's

Catherine Nakalembe

NASA Harvest's Africa Initiative Lead, Dr. Catherine Nakalembe, was interviewed by Project Geospatial to discuss how we are using Earth observation satellites to monitor agriculture and food availability across Africa. Project Geosptial is a non-profit media organization that aims to increase geospatial education and awareness. You can watch the full interview and learn more about Project Geospatial here.

NASA Harvest News

Using El Niño Forecasts to Give Early Warning of Crop Failures

NASA Harvest's Weston Anderson writes in Carbon Brief that El Niño forecasts are able to signal early warning of crop failures.

Recent research shows that, in some locations, crop yield shocks can be predicted more than six months ahead of time, and – in certain cases – before a crop is even planted.

Automated Satellite Detection of Artillery Craters Used to Locate Unexploded Ordnance in Ukraine

Conflict produces a number of immediate and long-term consequences for impacted land and populations. Unexploded ordnance (UXO) is one of the longest-lasting threats in conflict zones as it can remain dangerous for decades after its initial deployment. The Russian invasion of Ukraine is no exception, with the Ukrainian government estimating up to a third of the country to be contaminated with UXO. Researchers with the NASA Harvest consortium are developing new automated methods to detect artillery craters and assist with the identification and removal of UXO in Ukraine.

NASA Harvest Latin America

NASA Harvest Latin America is a regional initiative dedicated to advancing agricultural monitoring, food security, and sustainable practices across the Latin American region. Our mission is to leverage satellite technology, data-driven insights, and local expertise to empower communities, foster collaboration, and develop innovative tools that support sustainable agricultural practices and informed decision-making.

NASA Acres Director Awarded University of Maryland Provost Excellence Award

Congratulations to Dr. Alyssa Whitcraft, the Director of our sister consortium NASA Acres! Whitcraft has been awarded the University of Maryland's prestigious Provost’s Excellence Award for Professional Track Faculty. This honor recognizes her outstanding contributions to research in satellite remote sensing for agriculture.

Upcoming Events

AGU24 Annual Meeting

December 9 - 13, 2024

NASA Harvest and NASA Acres invite abstracts for our joint session at the AGU24 meeting “Satellite Solutions: Advancing Agricultural Monitoring Through Remote Sensing” focused on EO data applications in support of food security. We seek contributions showcasing satellite remote sensing's role in addressing today’s most pressing agricultural challenges at both local and global scales. Topics include disaster management, early warning systems, innovative insurance schemes, and regenerative practices. Emphasis will be placed on practical applications and real-world impact.

Please visit the official AGU website for more information on the abstract submission process.

NASA ROSES Solicitation

February 14, 2025

NASA ROSES has opened a new solicitation and is accepting proposals for research funding. ROSES (Research Opportunities for Space and Earth Science) is seeking proposals for projects that apply Earth observations to improve or develop decision-making activities in ecological conservation and management.

Virtual meetings for potential proposers will occur Friday, November 15th and Monday, January 13th. Notices of intent are requested by February 14, 2025, and proposals are due March 14, 2025.

Learn more about this specific solicitation here and about the NASA ROSES program here.

Visit Our Website