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The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Uncrewed Systems Office (NUSO) leads the research activities needed to make Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) data collection an efficient, safe, and cost-effective remote sensing tool for Department of the Interior (DOI) and USGS scientists.
We focus on the evaluation of new platforms, integration of new UAS-compatible sensors, development of data specifications and processing techniques, recommendations of UAS data acquisition best-practices, and operational support for new and existing DOI remote pilots.
We are a team of platform and UAS-compatible sensor subject matter experts that, in addition to research, provide operational support to DOI remote pilots and outreach to federal, public, and international audiences. Our office, established on May 8th, 2008, operates as part of the National Land Imaging Program, and contributes to its goal to provide the Federal Government and the public with the remotely sensed data and applications needed to support our Nation’s economic security and environmental vitality.
Over a three-year period, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Uncrewed Systems Office (NUSO), in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS), used drone-based lidar and photogrammetry to document the restoration of Ackerson Meadow in Yosemite National Park, CA.
Over a three-year period, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Uncrewed Systems Office (NUSO), in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS), used drone-based lidar and photogrammetry to document the restoration of Ackerson Meadow in Yosemite National Park, CA.
Detailed Description:
Trekking through Cossatot State Park, Arkansas, with UAS gear.
Trekking through Cossatot State Park, Arkansas, with UAS gear.
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) caused by cyanobacteria have become an ongoing concern in Colorado reservoirs, including Williams Fork and Willow Creek Reservoirs, where blooms have led to recreational closures and can pose risks to people, pets, livestock, and wildlife.
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) caused by cyanobacteria have become an ongoing concern in Colorado reservoirs, including Williams Fork and Willow Creek Reservoirs, where blooms have led to recreational closures and can pose risks to people, pets, livestock, and wildlife.
At low water levels, the Cossatot River in western Arkansas exposes exceptional outcrops of highly deformed Late Paleozoic rocks that record ocean basin closure and Ouachita mountain building.
At low water levels, the Cossatot River in western Arkansas exposes exceptional outcrops of highly deformed Late Paleozoic rocks that record ocean basin closure and Ouachita mountain building.
Freefly Astro with attached Yellowscan Mapper+ lidar sensor ready for takeoff at Cossatot State Park, Arkansas.
Freefly Astro with attached Yellowscan Mapper+ lidar sensor ready for takeoff at Cossatot State Park, Arkansas.
Flying UAS over Cossatot State Park, Arkansas.
Flying UAS over Cossatot State Park, Arkansas.
USGS scientists are using an uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) to range-test technology for tracking monarch butterfly migration pathways. A UAS, also known as a drone, carrying BluMorpho ultra-lightweight radio tracking devices or tags sits on a landing pad at the Denver Federal Center.
USGS scientists are using an uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) to range-test technology for tracking monarch butterfly migration pathways. A UAS, also known as a drone, carrying BluMorpho ultra-lightweight radio tracking devices or tags sits on a landing pad at the Denver Federal Center.
A BluMorpho tag secured on the arm of a Skydio X-10, the uncrewed aircraft system, or drone, being used for range testing. (Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.)
A BluMorpho tag secured on the arm of a Skydio X-10, the uncrewed aircraft system, or drone, being used for range testing. (Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.)
An uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) hovers a radioelement calibration pad with known concentrations of naturally occurring radioactive materials at the Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT) in Grand Junction, CO. These calibration pads, managed by the U.S.
An uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) hovers a radioelement calibration pad with known concentrations of naturally occurring radioactive materials at the Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT) in Grand Junction, CO. These calibration pads, managed by the U.S.
An uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) carrying a gamma ray spectrometer sensor sits on a landing pad at the Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT) in Grand Junction, CO. USGS conducted UAS flights at a variety of transect spacings, altitudes, and directions over radioelement calibration pads built into the tarmac at GJT in support of critical mineral research.
An uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) carrying a gamma ray spectrometer sensor sits on a landing pad at the Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT) in Grand Junction, CO. USGS conducted UAS flights at a variety of transect spacings, altitudes, and directions over radioelement calibration pads built into the tarmac at GJT in support of critical mineral research.
A USGS remote pilot secures a gamma ray spectrometer sensor onto an uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) at the Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT) in Grand Junction, CO. Concrete pads built into the tarmac at GJT contain known concentrations of naturally occurring radioactive materials including Potassium, Thorium, and Uranium for radiometric calibration.
A USGS remote pilot secures a gamma ray spectrometer sensor onto an uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) at the Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT) in Grand Junction, CO. Concrete pads built into the tarmac at GJT contain known concentrations of naturally occurring radioactive materials including Potassium, Thorium, and Uranium for radiometric calibration.
An uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) flies over the open water at Willow Creek Reservoir during a harmful algae bloom research campaign.
An uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) flies over the open water at Willow Creek Reservoir during a harmful algae bloom research campaign.
USGS National Uncrewed Systems Office (NUSO) remote pilot prepares an uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) for hyperspectral data collection at Willow Creek Reservoir near Granby, Colorado. This data collection supported harmful algae bloom and water quality research led by the Colorado Water Science Center.
USGS National Uncrewed Systems Office (NUSO) remote pilot prepares an uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) for hyperspectral data collection at Willow Creek Reservoir near Granby, Colorado. This data collection supported harmful algae bloom and water quality research led by the Colorado Water Science Center.
USGS National Uncrewed Systems Office (NUSO) remote pilot flies an uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) carrying a hyperspectral imaging payload at Willow Creek Reservoir near Granby, Colorado. This data collection supported harmful algae bloom and water quality research led by the Colorado Water Science Center.
USGS National Uncrewed Systems Office (NUSO) remote pilot flies an uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) carrying a hyperspectral imaging payload at Willow Creek Reservoir near Granby, Colorado. This data collection supported harmful algae bloom and water quality research led by the Colorado Water Science Center.
USGS remote pilots fly uncrewed aircraft systems to capture hyperspectral imagery and video footage at Willow Creek Reservoir in support of harmful algae bloom and water quality research led by the Colorado Water Science Center.
USGS remote pilots fly uncrewed aircraft systems to capture hyperspectral imagery and video footage at Willow Creek Reservoir in support of harmful algae bloom and water quality research led by the Colorado Water Science Center.
Greyscale tarps and ground control points were placed on land during harmful algae mapping fieldwork at Willow Creek Reservoir near Granby, CO. These targets enable calibration and validation of hyperspectral data captured by uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) to study water quality and algae conditions across the reservoir.
Greyscale tarps and ground control points were placed on land during harmful algae mapping fieldwork at Willow Creek Reservoir near Granby, CO. These targets enable calibration and validation of hyperspectral data captured by uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) to study water quality and algae conditions across the reservoir.
An uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) flies over the open water at Willow Creek Reservoir during a harmful algae bloom research campaign.
An uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) flies over the open water at Willow Creek Reservoir during a harmful algae bloom research campaign.
USGS National Uncrewed Systems Office (NUSO) remote pilot sets up a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) base station to enable geospatial positioning corrections of remote sensing data at Williams Fork Reservoir near Kremmling, Colorado.
USGS National Uncrewed Systems Office (NUSO) remote pilot sets up a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) base station to enable geospatial positioning corrections of remote sensing data at Williams Fork Reservoir near Kremmling, Colorado.
USGS personnel hike through tall grasses and over fallen trees to access a launch site for uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) lidar data collection as part of the Ackerson Meadow restoration in Yosemite National Park, California.
USGS personnel hike through tall grasses and over fallen trees to access a launch site for uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) lidar data collection as part of the Ackerson Meadow restoration in Yosemite National Park, California.
Oblique natural color view of Ackerson Meadow in Yosemite National Park, California, taken using UAS.
Oblique natural color view of Ackerson Meadow in Yosemite National Park, California, taken using UAS.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Uncrewed Systems Office (NUSO) leads the research activities needed to make Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) data collection an efficient, safe, and cost-effective remote sensing tool for Department of the Interior (DOI) and USGS scientists.
We focus on the evaluation of new platforms, integration of new UAS-compatible sensors, development of data specifications and processing techniques, recommendations of UAS data acquisition best-practices, and operational support for new and existing DOI remote pilots.
We are a team of platform and UAS-compatible sensor subject matter experts that, in addition to research, provide operational support to DOI remote pilots and outreach to federal, public, and international audiences. Our office, established on May 8th, 2008, operates as part of the National Land Imaging Program, and contributes to its goal to provide the Federal Government and the public with the remotely sensed data and applications needed to support our Nation’s economic security and environmental vitality.
Over a three-year period, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Uncrewed Systems Office (NUSO), in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS), used drone-based lidar and photogrammetry to document the restoration of Ackerson Meadow in Yosemite National Park, CA.
Over a three-year period, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Uncrewed Systems Office (NUSO), in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS), used drone-based lidar and photogrammetry to document the restoration of Ackerson Meadow in Yosemite National Park, CA.
Detailed Description:
Trekking through Cossatot State Park, Arkansas, with UAS gear.
Trekking through Cossatot State Park, Arkansas, with UAS gear.
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) caused by cyanobacteria have become an ongoing concern in Colorado reservoirs, including Williams Fork and Willow Creek Reservoirs, where blooms have led to recreational closures and can pose risks to people, pets, livestock, and wildlife.
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) caused by cyanobacteria have become an ongoing concern in Colorado reservoirs, including Williams Fork and Willow Creek Reservoirs, where blooms have led to recreational closures and can pose risks to people, pets, livestock, and wildlife.
At low water levels, the Cossatot River in western Arkansas exposes exceptional outcrops of highly deformed Late Paleozoic rocks that record ocean basin closure and Ouachita mountain building.
At low water levels, the Cossatot River in western Arkansas exposes exceptional outcrops of highly deformed Late Paleozoic rocks that record ocean basin closure and Ouachita mountain building.
Freefly Astro with attached Yellowscan Mapper+ lidar sensor ready for takeoff at Cossatot State Park, Arkansas.
Freefly Astro with attached Yellowscan Mapper+ lidar sensor ready for takeoff at Cossatot State Park, Arkansas.
Flying UAS over Cossatot State Park, Arkansas.
Flying UAS over Cossatot State Park, Arkansas.
USGS scientists are using an uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) to range-test technology for tracking monarch butterfly migration pathways. A UAS, also known as a drone, carrying BluMorpho ultra-lightweight radio tracking devices or tags sits on a landing pad at the Denver Federal Center.
USGS scientists are using an uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) to range-test technology for tracking monarch butterfly migration pathways. A UAS, also known as a drone, carrying BluMorpho ultra-lightweight radio tracking devices or tags sits on a landing pad at the Denver Federal Center.
A BluMorpho tag secured on the arm of a Skydio X-10, the uncrewed aircraft system, or drone, being used for range testing. (Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.)
A BluMorpho tag secured on the arm of a Skydio X-10, the uncrewed aircraft system, or drone, being used for range testing. (Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.)
An uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) hovers a radioelement calibration pad with known concentrations of naturally occurring radioactive materials at the Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT) in Grand Junction, CO. These calibration pads, managed by the U.S.
An uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) hovers a radioelement calibration pad with known concentrations of naturally occurring radioactive materials at the Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT) in Grand Junction, CO. These calibration pads, managed by the U.S.
An uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) carrying a gamma ray spectrometer sensor sits on a landing pad at the Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT) in Grand Junction, CO. USGS conducted UAS flights at a variety of transect spacings, altitudes, and directions over radioelement calibration pads built into the tarmac at GJT in support of critical mineral research.
An uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) carrying a gamma ray spectrometer sensor sits on a landing pad at the Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT) in Grand Junction, CO. USGS conducted UAS flights at a variety of transect spacings, altitudes, and directions over radioelement calibration pads built into the tarmac at GJT in support of critical mineral research.
A USGS remote pilot secures a gamma ray spectrometer sensor onto an uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) at the Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT) in Grand Junction, CO. Concrete pads built into the tarmac at GJT contain known concentrations of naturally occurring radioactive materials including Potassium, Thorium, and Uranium for radiometric calibration.
A USGS remote pilot secures a gamma ray spectrometer sensor onto an uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) at the Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT) in Grand Junction, CO. Concrete pads built into the tarmac at GJT contain known concentrations of naturally occurring radioactive materials including Potassium, Thorium, and Uranium for radiometric calibration.
An uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) flies over the open water at Willow Creek Reservoir during a harmful algae bloom research campaign.
An uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) flies over the open water at Willow Creek Reservoir during a harmful algae bloom research campaign.
USGS National Uncrewed Systems Office (NUSO) remote pilot prepares an uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) for hyperspectral data collection at Willow Creek Reservoir near Granby, Colorado. This data collection supported harmful algae bloom and water quality research led by the Colorado Water Science Center.
USGS National Uncrewed Systems Office (NUSO) remote pilot prepares an uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) for hyperspectral data collection at Willow Creek Reservoir near Granby, Colorado. This data collection supported harmful algae bloom and water quality research led by the Colorado Water Science Center.
USGS National Uncrewed Systems Office (NUSO) remote pilot flies an uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) carrying a hyperspectral imaging payload at Willow Creek Reservoir near Granby, Colorado. This data collection supported harmful algae bloom and water quality research led by the Colorado Water Science Center.
USGS National Uncrewed Systems Office (NUSO) remote pilot flies an uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) carrying a hyperspectral imaging payload at Willow Creek Reservoir near Granby, Colorado. This data collection supported harmful algae bloom and water quality research led by the Colorado Water Science Center.
USGS remote pilots fly uncrewed aircraft systems to capture hyperspectral imagery and video footage at Willow Creek Reservoir in support of harmful algae bloom and water quality research led by the Colorado Water Science Center.
USGS remote pilots fly uncrewed aircraft systems to capture hyperspectral imagery and video footage at Willow Creek Reservoir in support of harmful algae bloom and water quality research led by the Colorado Water Science Center.
Greyscale tarps and ground control points were placed on land during harmful algae mapping fieldwork at Willow Creek Reservoir near Granby, CO. These targets enable calibration and validation of hyperspectral data captured by uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) to study water quality and algae conditions across the reservoir.
Greyscale tarps and ground control points were placed on land during harmful algae mapping fieldwork at Willow Creek Reservoir near Granby, CO. These targets enable calibration and validation of hyperspectral data captured by uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) to study water quality and algae conditions across the reservoir.
An uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) flies over the open water at Willow Creek Reservoir during a harmful algae bloom research campaign.
An uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) flies over the open water at Willow Creek Reservoir during a harmful algae bloom research campaign.
USGS National Uncrewed Systems Office (NUSO) remote pilot sets up a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) base station to enable geospatial positioning corrections of remote sensing data at Williams Fork Reservoir near Kremmling, Colorado.
USGS National Uncrewed Systems Office (NUSO) remote pilot sets up a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) base station to enable geospatial positioning corrections of remote sensing data at Williams Fork Reservoir near Kremmling, Colorado.
USGS personnel hike through tall grasses and over fallen trees to access a launch site for uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) lidar data collection as part of the Ackerson Meadow restoration in Yosemite National Park, California.
USGS personnel hike through tall grasses and over fallen trees to access a launch site for uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) lidar data collection as part of the Ackerson Meadow restoration in Yosemite National Park, California.
Oblique natural color view of Ackerson Meadow in Yosemite National Park, California, taken using UAS.
Oblique natural color view of Ackerson Meadow in Yosemite National Park, California, taken using UAS.