The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s budget cuts threaten the country’s spatial information framework, putting the accuracy of industries like construction and navigation at risk.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is responsible for maintaining the US’s framework of spatial information, including latitudes, longitudes, vertical measurements like elevation, and even measurements of Earth’s gravitational field. However, under the Trump administration, cuts to this agency are threatening its mission and activities.
The Importance of Geodesy in Modern Society
Geodesy is the science of calculating the shape of the Earth, its orientation in space, and its gravitational field. The work of NOAA’s National Geodetic Survey (NGS) is crucial for various industries, including construction, mapping, and navigation. Accurate spatial information is essential for building bridges, measuring sea level rise, and understanding climate change.
Geodesy is the branch of mathematics that deals with the measurement of the Earth's shape, size, and gravity field.
It involves determining the precise locations of points on the Earth's surface using a variety of techniques, including triangulation and trilateration.
Geodesy has numerous applications in fields such as navigation, surveying, and geophysics.
For example, GPS technology relies heavily on geodetic data to provide accurate location information.
In fact, the Global Geodetic Observing System (GGOS) is responsible for monitoring the Earth's shape and providing precise coordinates for global navigation.
A Long History of Excellence
NGS was formed in 1807 by Thomas Jefferson and has a rich history of excellence. The agency’s current mission involves maintaining and updating the National Spatial Reference System, which provides a consistent system of physical coordinates used across federal and local governments, the private sector, and academia. This system includes measurements of latitude and longitude, depth and height, as well as calculations around Earth’s gravitational field.
The Challenge of Updating the National Spatial Reference System
The US is currently working with outdated coordinate systems, which were established in the 1980s. However, due to advances in satellite technology, each point of measurement in these systems is now, on average, around two meters off from its actual, accurate location. This limits the precision of GPS technology and has significant implications for various industries.
The Impact of Staff Losses on NGS
The loss of nearly a quarter of NGS’s staff in recent months is threatening the agency’s ability to update its National Spatial Reference System. With many experienced staff leaving or retiring, the agency’s capacity to deliver accurate spatial information is compromised. This has significant implications for industries that rely on precise geospatial technology.
Staff losses in non-governmental organizations (NGOs) can be attributed to various factors, including financial constraints, program changes, or restructuring.
According to a study by the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance, 60% of nonprofits experience staff turnover within the first year.
Factors contributing to staff loss include low compensation, limited career growth opportunities, and inadequate work-life balance.
The Consequences of Inaction
If NGS fails to modernize its National Spatial Reference System, it could lead to a decline in the accuracy of spatial information across the US. This would have far-reaching consequences for industries such as construction, navigation, and climate change research. It could also enable China’s BeiDou satellite navigation system to overtake the US’s GPS system in accuracy.
The Need for Action
Experts argue that it is crucial for the US to invest in geospatial technology and training programs. This would help to ensure that industries have access to accurate spatial information, which is essential for building bridges, measuring sea level rise, and understanding climate change.
Geospatial technology combines geographic and spatial data to provide location-based insights.
It uses satellite imagery, GPS, and mapping software to analyze and visualize geographical information.
This tech is used in various fields, including urban planning, emergency response, and environmental monitoring.
According to a report by MarketsandMarkets, the geospatial market is projected to grow from $13.6 billion in 2020 to $24.7 billion by 2025.
