Applications for the prestigious NOAA-David Johnson Award are being sought from 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, NOAA announced today. The deadline is December 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 Goddard Memorial Dinner in March 2001.

"I am delighted that NOAA is 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."

For the award, the use of satellite data should have 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 used 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 December 31, 2000.

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 December 1, 2000. Applications should be sent to: National Space Club, c/o Rebecca Griffin, Litton PRC, 1500 PRC Drive, McLean VA 22102. Applications may also be e-mailed to: griffin_rebecca@prc.com, or faxed to (703) 556-1381 (subject: NOAA David Johnson Award package).

For eligibility criteria and application information, see the Web site at: http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/johnsonaward/. 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) 713-9219, e-mail: Jane.Daguanno@noaa.gov