Agriculture researchers at MSU made a strong commitment three years ago to integrate remote sensing into an already strong phenomenology research program. The nature of this phenomenology research allows direct traceability to classification of landscape level indicators based on remotely observable features, such as plant condition, classification and state of health. The remote sensing research program is underpinned by traditional production research and outreach activities and a strong program in precision agriculture supporte by the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Cooperative State Research, Extension, and Education Service (USDA-CSREES) in the project, Advanced Spatial Technologies for Agriculture (ASTA).

Forestry research efforts in remote sensing are well-established at MSU, with a research commitment accompanied by a high level of external funding by federal, state and industrial entities. The Spatial Information Technologies Laboratory (SITL) conducts research, education and extension programs that serve the state, region and nation.

Forestry and agriculture researchers have formed collaborations with the MSU Engineering Research Center for work in computational modeling, visualization and decision systems. This effort resulted in a successful equipment grant from NASA to establish the Southern Remote Sensing Center, as well as participation in the Mississippi Coalition of Remote Sensing (MCARS). Workforce development, education, and outreach established component parts of MCARS, and surveys and listening sessions of present and potential users of remote sensing technology are already underway to address the end-user needs of remote sensing applications.

The transportation research program has a commitment to integrate remote sensing applications into a successful program that, in collaboration with the University of Denver, was recently awarded a National Center for Intermodal Transportation. The Center is a part of a major thrust for rapid advancement in this area that is now funded with a multi-billion dollar federal appropriation to refurbish transportation infrastructure. Transportation in areas of highways, airports, rail systems, pipelines and high voltage power lines are addressed in MSU’s Civil Engineering and Industrial Engineering programs. MSU is conducting advanced planning to incorporate remote sensing as a tool for physical measurements necessaryto design, modify and control transportation systems effectively. This planning includes discussions with multiple universities to conduct applications research relative to development of the high speed rail system for the southern states.

Support for data acquisition for all three focus areas will be provided by the MSU Raspet Flight Research Laboratory. The flight capability of the Raspet Laboratory will enable locally arranged flights of experimental sensors and will be closely coordinated with companies affiliated with the MSCI.

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