Applications are being sought for the prestigious National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-David Johnson Award. Nominees are professionals who have developed an innovative use of Earth observation satellite data that can be used to assess or predict atmospheric, oceanic or terrestrial conditions. Announcement of the nomination search was made today by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The deadline for nominations is Dec. 1.

The NOAA-David Johnson Award is presented by the National Space Club in honor of the first administrator of what was to become NOAA's National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service. David Johnson, now retired, was a pioneer in operational meteorological satellites. The award will be presented at the annual Goddard Memorial Dinner March 2002.

"NOAA is honored to be a partner in this notable award that recognizes the importance of satellite data for studying the Earth's environment, " said Greg Withee, assistant administrator for satellite and information services. "The use of satellite data helps us to better understand, monitor and predict factors that affect our planet."

A nominee should use satellite data with a practical, on-going purpose that could be used to assess or predict environmental conditions on a regular, operational basis. Examples include the use of Earth observation data for fire monitoring, weather forecasting, climate monitoring or prediction, global change detection, volcanic ash tracking, vegetation/drought monitoring, oil spill tracking, rainfall measurements or forecasts, hurricane landfall predictions and fisheries management. The data may be from any Earth observation satellite, including NOAA or other U.S. government or commercial or foreign satellites.

A committee composed of eminent professionals in the field will select the recipient for the award. The nominee must be a United States citizen, national, or permanent resident, and not more than 40 years of age by Dec. 31, 2001.

Individuals or groups may be nominated. For group nominations, all members of the group should have been actively involved in the design or implementation of the demonstrated use, and each must be a United States citizen, national or permanent resident. The leader of the group must be clearly identified.

The National Space Club must receive nominations with the complete application by Dec. 1, 2001. Applications should be sent to: National Space Club; Christopher A. Waln, Director, Strategic Operations, Space and Communications Operating Unit, TASC; 4801 Stonecroft Blvd.; Chantilly, VA 20151. Applications may also be e-mailed to: cawaln@tasc.com

For eligibility criteria and application information, see the Web site at: http://www.publicaffairs.noaa.gov/announcements.html. For more information, contact Jane D'Aguanno in NOAA's Office of the Assistant Administrator for Satellite and Information Services at (301) 713-3385, fax (301) 713-1249, e-mail: Jane.Daguanno@noaa.gov

The Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation's coastal and marine resources.

To learn more about NOAA, please visit http://www.noaa.gov.