Ideas and ideals of mapping agencies in USA are changing with time. There are new roles emerging for them and with a wide proportion of geospatial data, there has been a paradigm shift in.
UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY(USGS)
The United States Geological Survey is the nation’s scientific agency of the United States government. The scientists of the USGS study landscape of the United States, its natural resources, and the natural hazards that affect lives and livelihoods, the water, energy, minerals, and other natural resources to rely upon, the health of the ecosystems and environment; and the impacts of climate and land-use change.
The organization was established in 1997 and has its headquarters in Reston, Virginia, United States. It works with the motto of “science for a changing world” and advocates four major science disciplines, concerning biology, geography, geology, and hydrology. It collects, monitors, analyzes and provides a scientific understanding of natural resource conditions, issues, and problems.
The agency is also responsible for producing an accurate range of topographic maps, geospatial map applications, geologic maps and 3-D geologic frameworks that provide critical data for sustaining and improving the quality of life and economic vitality of the Nation. They also organize, maintain, and publish the geospatial baseline of the Nation’s topography, natural landscape, built environment and more.
Since 2012, the organization focuses at six-tropical ‘Mission Areas”, namely – Climate and Land Use Change, Core Science Systems, Ecosystems, Energy and Minerals and Environment Health, Natural Hazards and Water.
NATIONAL GEOSPATIAL-INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) is both a combat support agency under the United States Department of Defense and an intelligence agency of the United States Intelligence Community.
The agency’s primary mission is to collect, analyze, and distribute geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) in support of national security. NGA was earlier known as the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA). In addition to using GEOINT for U.S military and intelligence efforts, the NGA provides assistance during natural and man-made disasters, and security planning for major events such as the Olympic Games.
The agency was founded in October 1996 and has its headquarters at Fort Belvoir in Springfield, Virginia. It is at 2.3 million square feet that makes it the third-largest government building in the Washington metropolitan area.
NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION (NOAA)
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is an American scientific agency within the United States Department of Commerce that focuses on the conditions of the oceans and the atmosphere. It has five fundamental activities that include:
- Monitoring and observing Earth systems with instruments and data collection networks.
- Understanding and describing Earth systems through research and analysis of that data.
- Assessing and predicting the changes of these systems over time.
- Engaging, advising, and informing the public and partner organizations with important information.
- Managing resources for the betterment of society, economy, and environment.
NOAA warns of dangerous weather, charts seas, guides the use and protection of ocean and coastal resources and conducts research to provide understanding and improve stewardship of the environment.
Officially founded in 1970 and in 2017, the agency plays specific roles in society, the benefits of which extended beyond the US economy and into the larger global community.
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION (NASA)
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is an independent agency of the executive branch of the United States federal government. The agency is responsible for the civilian space program that comprises aeronautics and aerospace research.
NASA was established in 1958 with a distinctly civilian orientation encouraging peaceful applications encouraging peaceful applications in space science. The agency has its headquarters in Washington D.C, U.S.
NASA science is focussed on better better understanding Earth through the Earth Observing System and in exploring bodies throughout the Solar System. The organization is composed of four mission directorates: Aeronautics Research, Science, Space Technology and Human Exploration.