The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) seeks to transfer the NASA-developed Mapping Analysis and Planning System (MAPS) technology to private industry for use in commercial applications. The MAPS is a menu-driven interactive software system that links the system to centralized Geographic Information System (GIS) databases, environmental models, neural networks, and expert system software to provide a multimedia approach to environmental problem solving and operational compliance. The MAPS is currently being developed for use in planning locations for facilities at the John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC). In its current use, the system assists in implementing the KSC environmental checklist - a precursor to deciding locations of KSC facilities. The MAPS approach is expected to result in a software tool that will support and enhance the process of reasoning and judgment regarding compliance with environmental regulations, rather than only automating the process through prescribed computation.

Potential Commercial Uses

The MAPS has the potential for adaptation to land-use planning for:

• Municipalities
• Commercial organizations
• Industrial operations

Benefits

• Provides a mechanism for a proactive approach to environmental monitoring
• Provides a mechanism for a proactive approach to compliance with federal and state regulations
• Provides a mechanism for easily disseminating information worldwide through the World Wide Web and the Internet

The Technology
The MAPS incorporates commercial software packages that include GIS databases, image processing, video capture and editing, statistical data analysis, three-dimensional graphics, numerical modeling, hypertext, and software for development of expert systems and neural networks. The software shell for a knowledge-based expert system is being developed to add expert, site-specific knowledge to the fusion-of-data and query processes. The system combines information from a variety of databases, including digital imagery, GIS thematic layers, master planning files, and legal information derived from the Internet and World Wide Web.

The system's primary database consists of more than 10 years of research involving field-collected and remotely sensed data covering a variety of subjects such as vegetation communities, wetlands, endangered species, habitats, soils, water quality, and cultural features. Site and project-specific datasets within the system include state and federal permits, permit monitoring data, identification of hazardous material storage areas, solid waste management units, landfills, Space Shuttle exhaust impacts, and facility constraints. Analytical capabilities include development of wildlife habitat association models, stormwater and groundwater models, and atmospheric diffusion models.

Options for Commercialization
This technology opportunity is part of the NASA Technology Transfer Program. The program seeks to stimulate development of commercial applications from NASA-developed technology. KSC is seeking to transfer this technology for commercial use.