The research performed this year marked the beginning of a collaboration between Howard University and LLNL to advance and apply remote sensing technology to a broad range of applications centered on probing the state of the atmosphere. Central to this research was the evolution of a telescope facility at Howard University into an atmospheric observatory and instrument development test-bed. Our work in applying laser technology to remote sensing helped lead to the development and subsequent patent application of a laser heterodyne amplifier and progress toward the development of a multi-wavelength laser probe to determine the range resolved size distribution of particulate matter and aerosols in the atmosphere. Work performed this year also helped us motivate further studies to understand atmospheric radiance and radiation transport in three-dimensions. Our involvement in these programs as supported by the LLNL Research Collaborations Program for Historically Black College s and Universities is reported here.

This volume continues presentation of the proceedings of a NATO Advanced Research Workshop (ARW) held at Rabat, Morocco on the 17-19th of November 2005 entitled Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere for Environmental Security. Coverage includes a review of recent and upcoming experimental satellite measurements of the Earth’s atmosphere, characterisation of pollution in urban areas and the growing lack of water in many countries of the Mediterranean area, and more.

This volume continues presentation of the proceedings of a NATO Advanced Research Workshop (ARW) held at Rabat, Morocco on the 17-19th of November 2005 entitled Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere for Environmental Security. Coverage includes a review of recent and upcoming experimental satellite measurements of the Earth’s atmosphere, characterisation of pollution in urban areas and the growing lack of water in many countries of the Mediterranean area, and more.

This volume gathers a variety of applications for remote sensing of vegetation health (VH) and concretely shows how this information can be used in service of ending hunger and of ensuring future food security. In this book’s ten chapters, Dr. Felix Kogan, one of the most prolific scientists in this sphere, shows how a new VH method, designed from operational environmental satellite data, can be used to provide advanced predictions of agricultural losses, helping to enhance food security and reducing the number of hungry people. Topics covered include the scientific basis of the VH method, drought monitoring, prediction of short-term agricultural yield and crop insurance, and impacts of long term climate variability and change on food security. A short discussion on VH for human health-related topics such as detection and prediction of malaria and fire risk is included as well.

Currently, the Departments of Defense (DOD) and Commerce (DOC) acquire and operate separate polarorbiting environmental satellite systems that collect data needed for military and civil weather forecasting. The National Performance Review (NPR) and subsequent Presidential Decision Directive (PDD), directed the DOD (Air Force) and the DOC (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA) to establish a converged national weather satellite program that would meet U.S. civil and national security requirements and fulfill international obligations. NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS), and potentially other NASA programs, were included in the converged program to provide new remote sensing and spacecraft technologies that could improve the operational capabilities of the converged system. The program that followed, called the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS), combined the follow-on to the DOD's Defense Meteorological Satellite Program and the DOC's Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite (POES) program. The tri-agency Integrated Program Office (IPO) for NPOESS was subsequently established to manage the acquisition and operations of the converged satellite. Issues in the Integration of Research and Operational Satellite Systems for Climate Research analyzes issues related to the integration of EOS and NPOESS, especially as they affect research and monitoring activities related to Earth's climate and whether it is changing.

This report documents work done between FY91 and FY95 for the lower atmospheric portion of the joint Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Energy (DOE) Atmospheric Remote Sensing and Assessment Program (ARSAP) within the Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP). The work focused on (1) developing new measurement capabilities and (2) measuring atmospheric heating in a well-defined layer and then relating it to cloud properties an water vapor content. Seven new instruments were develop3ed for use with Unmanned Aerospace Vehicles (UAVs) as the host platform for flux, radiance, cloud, and water vapor measurements. Four major field campaigns were undertaken to use these new as well as existing instruments to make critically needed atmospheric measurements. Scientific results include the profiling of clear sky fluxes from near surface to 14 km and the strong indication of cloudy atmosphere absorption of solar radiation considerably greater than predicted by extant models.