Merging Geospatial Data into a User-Friendly Application to Support Sustainable Development, Year 2

For this project, an economic development tool called the Local Economic Analysis Portfolio (LEAP) tool was produced. LEAP is a Geographic Information System (GIS) system which allows users to create earth-based mapping systems that describe the environmental conditions, physical infrastructure and related features for use in land/base management decisions. The primary function of this tool is to generate portfolios coupling standard descriptors about potential sites with maps and location specific information. Users can select criteria in a wizard-based tool to perform site selection analysis or draw primary and alternate sites to obtain site specific information related to the area of interest. The intention of the tool is to provide a user-friendly interface for personnel responsible for working on economic development at Stennis Space Center (SSC) and the surrounding community.

Benefits to NASA funded missions include the fact that NASA is working to reduce the overall footprint while maximizing space utilization to save on annual operating costs. Economic development tools are applicable for use by other entities within NASA. The benefits to the Nation that would be provided by this tool addresses the fact that regional, municipal city planners, farmers, developers, all require up to date, accurate information to effectively manage land development and plan for change. It is extremely difficult to maintain this type of information, particularly in regions, where change can be and are rapid. GIS technologies can prove to be power tools that can be used quantitative and management information that can be applied to plan preserving for future resources (land, water, vegetation, natural surfaces) of this Nation.

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.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.