A Robust Real-Time Collaboration Technology for Decision Support in Multi-Platform Virtual Globe Environments

The innovation aims to develop the tools for multiple geobrowsers to communicate over the Internet to create a real collaborative experience over computer desktop virtual globes when dealing with any type of geospatial information. These functions are especially important when dealing with decision makers, who frequently are non-GIS experts that require visualizing their own assets on a map, like their firefighter engine positions, combined with external expertise and other relevant datasets, like NASA MODIS wildfire hotspots, creating actionable geospatial information to make better informed and timelier decisions. The ultimate objective would be a fully interoperable multi-platform collaborative decision environment that delivers accurate information on emerging situations while collaborating with distributed partners, advisors, specialists and authorities in various jurisdictions, regardless of the virtual globe, hardware or operating systems used.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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