The Center for Geospatial Research at the

University of Georgia , mottoeng = "To teach, to serve, and to inquire into the nature of things.""To serve" was later added to the motto without changing the seal; the Latin motto directly translates as "To teach and to inquire into the nature of things." , establ ...

focuses on

remote sensing Remote sensing is the acquisition of information about an object or phenomenon without making physical contact with the object, in contrast to in situ or on-site observation. The term is applied especially to acquiring information about Earth ...

and climate science. The center is a regional NASA DEVELOP node and was recognized by

NASA The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA ) is an independent agency of the US federal government responsible for the civil space program, aeronautics research, and space research. NASA was established in 1958, succeeding t ...

in 1998 for its outstanding achievements relating to applied climate and environmental sciences, being named a NASA Center of Excellence.

Founding and History

The

's Center for Geospatial Research, CGR, was founded in 1985 as the Laboratory for Remote Sensing and Mapping Science. In 1989 the lab was renamed the Center for Remote Sensing and Mapping Science. This Center was founded by Dr. Roy Welch, who served as director from its founding in 1985 until 2003. The Center is now directed by Dr. Marguerite Madden and in 2012 the center was renamed Center for Geospatial Research to better reflect its internal goals. In 2016 the center helped found the UGA

Small Satellite Research Laboratory The University of Georgia Small Satellite Research Laboratory (SSRL), or UGA SSRL, is a research laboratory founded in late 2015 with the goal of launching a student-built spacecraft into low Earth orbit. The SSRL is currently building the Univers ...

Significant Research

Publications and Presentations

In 2016 research from the Center was used to identify the coastal regions of the United States that were most at risk from sea-level rise due to climate change. This study was one of the first studies to have accounted for ongoing population growth when assessing the potential magnitude of future impacts. Minimally 4.2 million people at risk of inundation were projected to be at risk from sea-level rise in the continental United States. Researchers at the Center for Geospatial Research have helped students at the UGA

receive grants to build 2 satellites. These satellites will be the first satellites built, designed, and operated by the University of Georgia.

NASA DEVELOP

Since 2013, the Center for Geospatial Research has been a regional node for the NASA DEVELOP national program and contributes significantly to climate change research. This DEVELOP location specializes in spatial ecology projects under the supervision of Lead Science Advisor, Dr. Marguerite Madden. Certain DEVELOP work at CGR has focused on identifying key issues regarding

Atlanta Atlanta ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is the seat of Fulton County, the most populous county in Georgia, but its territory falls in both Fulton and DeKalb counties. With a population of 498,715 ...

and its suburbs. Using data from the Landsat 8 and Terra satellites, the team was able to model water flow in the region and help the area build better infrastructure as it grows. The center has also been published in the

International Union for Conservation of Nature The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN; officially International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) is an international organization working in the field of nature conservation and sustainable use of natu ...

s World Conservation Congress Publication. The study focused on ecological forecasting, reforestation and conservation efforts, and the Colombian primate Cotton-top tamarin.

Small Satellites

The Center is also aiding the undergraduates of the

with technical knowledge. Faculty members, such as Dr. David Cotten, have given presentations on the possibilities of structure from motion in

low Earth orbit A low Earth orbit (LEO) is an orbit around Earth with a period of 128 minutes or less (making at least 11.25 orbits per day) and an eccentricity less than 0.25. Most of the artificial objects in outer space are in LEO, with an altitude never mor ...

and how the Small Satellite Research Laboratory could build the first satellite to perform this technology in orbit.MOCI and the UGA SSRL
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References

{{Reflist University of Georgia Organizations established in 1985 Geographic data and information organizations in the United States Athens, Georgia 1985 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state)