Victoria Scholl (NUSO) checks the image quality of photos captured using the Mavic Pro UAS. These photos will be used to generate a Structure from Motion photogrammetry orthomosaic.
National Uncrewed Systems Office Active
Using UAS to Support Road Condition Inspections on Federal Lands
Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge in Colorado
Radiometric calibration and validation research for scientific-grade spectral UAS imagery
Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center in Sioux Falls, SD
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.
DOI manages over 20 percent of the Nation’s public lands and is responsible for migratory bird and wildlife conservation; historic preservation; endangered species conservation; surface-mined lands protection and restoration; and mapping, geological, hydrological, and biological science for the Nation. Access to remotely sensed data is critical to fulfilling the DOI’s commitment to providing the best available science over such diverse missions and extensive landscapes. UAS is a tool that has quickly become vital to scientists by delivering some of the best remotely sensed data available over DOI’s expansive geography. UAS can also carry sophisticated high-resolution sensors that offer impressive capabilities relative to the amount, resolution, persistence, and flexibility of remotely collected data for these challenging locations.
New and Noteworthy
- Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) natural color, multispectral, lidar, and hypers…
- Incredible discoveries and devastation of paleontological resources in a changi…
- Compilation of topographic data, aerial imagery, and land cover classification,…
- Video acquired from an Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) and hydroacoustic measureme…
Victoria Scholl (NUSO) checks the image quality of photos captured using the Mavic Pro UAS. These photos will be used to generate a Structure from Motion photogrammetry orthomosaic.
Matrice 600 UAS carrying the methane sensor (left) and Mavic Pro UAS used to collect videos and photos
linkMatrice 600 UAS carrying the methane sensor (left) and Mavic Pro UAS used to collect videos and photos. Both UAS are resting on wooden pallets that the team set onto the bog for a dry and flat takeoff/landing location.
Matrice 600 UAS carrying the methane sensor (left) and Mavic Pro UAS used to collect videos and photos
linkMatrice 600 UAS carrying the methane sensor (left) and Mavic Pro UAS used to collect videos and photos. Both UAS are resting on wooden pallets that the team set onto the bog for a dry and flat takeoff/landing location.
Victoria Scholl (NUSO), Kristen Manies (GMEG Science Center), and Joe Adams (NUSO) hiked the UAS gear through the woods and across a network of boardwalks to access the bog site at the BNZ LTER.
Victoria Scholl (NUSO), Kristen Manies (GMEG Science Center), and Joe Adams (NUSO) hiked the UAS gear through the woods and across a network of boardwalks to access the bog site at the BNZ LTER.
True-color video still showing the UAS-mounted Kolibri sensor being flown through the smoke plume during one of the in-situ oil burns at a Poker Flat Research Range retention pond in Alaska.
True-color video still showing the UAS-mounted Kolibri sensor being flown through the smoke plume during one of the in-situ oil burns at a Poker Flat Research Range retention pond in Alaska.
NUSO researcher Joe Adams tacking down a calibration tarp used to collect reflectance measurements during a mission to develop UAS capabilities to image and identify algae species presence and growth in a controlled setting located in Leetown, West Virginia.
NUSO researcher Joe Adams tacking down a calibration tarp used to collect reflectance measurements during a mission to develop UAS capabilities to image and identify algae species presence and growth in a controlled setting located in Leetown, West Virginia.
Mark Bauer looks on as Matt Burgess remotely pilots a UAS collecting lidar data during the April 2022 USGS UASnow project at Berthoud Pass, Colorado.
Mark Bauer looks on as Matt Burgess remotely pilots a UAS collecting lidar data during the April 2022 USGS UASnow project at Berthoud Pass, Colorado.
UAS collecting natural color video over one of the Winter Park study sites during a joint NUSO and USGS Water Resources Mission Area project
linkA UAS collecting natural color video over one of the study sites during a joint NUSO and USGS Water Resources Mission Area snow mapping project in Winter Park, Colorado.
UAS collecting natural color video over one of the Winter Park study sites during a joint NUSO and USGS Water Resources Mission Area project
linkA UAS collecting natural color video over one of the study sites during a joint NUSO and USGS Water Resources Mission Area snow mapping project in Winter Park, Colorado.
Joe Adams (NUSO) setting up a GPS base station at one of the study sites for a snow mapping project in Winter Park, Colorado. GPS base station data is used in post-processing to improve the geospatial accuracy of UAS collected data.
Joe Adams (NUSO) setting up a GPS base station at one of the study sites for a snow mapping project in Winter Park, Colorado. GPS base station data is used in post-processing to improve the geospatial accuracy of UAS collected data.
NUSO researchers Victoria Scholl and Mark Bauer take a moment to enjoy the scenery during the most recent UAS data collection for the snow water equivalent (SWE) project at the Berthoud Pass Colorado study site.
NUSO researchers Victoria Scholl and Mark Bauer take a moment to enjoy the scenery during the most recent UAS data collection for the snow water equivalent (SWE) project at the Berthoud Pass Colorado study site.
Please don’t walk on the biocrust!
NUSO UAS pilot Matt Burgess captures an image of himself standing next to the drone's landing pad in a dry, arid environment near Moab, Utah.
NUSO UAS pilot Matt Burgess captures an image of himself standing next to the drone's landing pad in a dry, arid environment near Moab, Utah.
Victoria Scholl (NUSO) returns to base camp after collecting previously deployed scale bar and ground control point survey targets along the Paleocene Poison Canyon Formation in the Cimarron Canyon, New Mexico.
Victoria Scholl (NUSO) returns to base camp after collecting previously deployed scale bar and ground control point survey targets along the Paleocene Poison Canyon Formation in the Cimarron Canyon, New Mexico.
Mark Bauer reviews the imagery being acquired during the Paleocene Poison Canyon Formation data collection mission.
Mark Bauer reviews the imagery being acquired during the Paleocene Poison Canyon Formation data collection mission.
One of the ground control point survey targets deployed along the Paleocene Poison Canyon Formation in the Cimarron Canyon and used to provide accurate GPS data during the UAS data collection flights.
One of the ground control point survey targets deployed along the Paleocene Poison Canyon Formation in the Cimarron Canyon and used to provide accurate GPS data during the UAS data collection flights.
Todd Burton (NUSO) replaces the UAS batteries between flights in New Mexico’s Cimarron Canyon. Batteries last for only around 15 minutes, therefore a minimum of six sets are typically taken into the field which allows each used set to be cooled down, recharged, and then reused in the field.
Todd Burton (NUSO) replaces the UAS batteries between flights in New Mexico’s Cimarron Canyon. Batteries last for only around 15 minutes, therefore a minimum of six sets are typically taken into the field which allows each used set to be cooled down, recharged, and then reused in the field.
Victoria Scholl (NUSO) places a scale bar and ground control point survey target along the Paleocene Poison Canyon Formation in the Cimarron Canyon. GPS data from these targets and derived from the UAS collected imagery helps ensure high positional and geometric accuracy of georeferenced data products including 3D models.
Victoria Scholl (NUSO) places a scale bar and ground control point survey target along the Paleocene Poison Canyon Formation in the Cimarron Canyon. GPS data from these targets and derived from the UAS collected imagery helps ensure high positional and geometric accuracy of georeferenced data products including 3D models.
Prior to the UAS flights USGS researchers Amy Gilmer, Theresa Schwartz, and Victoria Scholl hike up Cimarron Canyon in New Mexico to place ground control targets and scale bars.
Prior to the UAS flights USGS researchers Amy Gilmer, Theresa Schwartz, and Victoria Scholl hike up Cimarron Canyon in New Mexico to place ground control targets and scale bars.
USGS researchers Amy Gilmer, Theresa Schwartz, and Victoria Scholl hike up Cimarron Canyon in New Mexico
linkPrior to the UAS flights USGS researchers Amy Gilmer, Theresa Schwartz, and Victoria Scholl hike up Cimarron Canyon in New Mexico to place ground control targets and scale bars.
USGS researchers Amy Gilmer, Theresa Schwartz, and Victoria Scholl hike up Cimarron Canyon in New Mexico
linkPrior to the UAS flights USGS researchers Amy Gilmer, Theresa Schwartz, and Victoria Scholl hike up Cimarron Canyon in New Mexico to place ground control targets and scale bars.
NUSO remote pilot Mark Bauer flies a UAS with a stabilized gimbal with vibration dampening mounted with a Sony A7r camera with a locked focus using a 14mm wide angle lens.
NUSO remote pilot Mark Bauer flies a UAS with a stabilized gimbal with vibration dampening mounted with a Sony A7r camera with a locked focus using a 14mm wide angle lens.
In June 2021, eight months after the East Troublesome Fire burned over 193,000 acres in Colorado, NUSO performed UAS data collection over several of the burn scars representing different fire intensity levels and fuel types.
In June 2021, eight months after the East Troublesome Fire burned over 193,000 acres in Colorado, NUSO performed UAS data collection over several of the burn scars representing different fire intensity levels and fuel types.
Matt Burgess pilots a UAS during a joint USGS NUSO, USGS Western Ecological Research Center, USGS Western Geographic Science Center, USGS Spectroscopy Lab, and California State University Monterey Bay multi-scale hyperspectral remote sensing data collection mission in San Francisco Bay, California.
Matt Burgess pilots a UAS during a joint USGS NUSO, USGS Western Ecological Research Center, USGS Western Geographic Science Center, USGS Spectroscopy Lab, and California State University Monterey Bay multi-scale hyperspectral remote sensing data collection mission in San Francisco Bay, California.
Check out -
Quick Link "UAS Supports Science" to see UAS data releases and related scientific journal articles
U.S. Geological Survey Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Roadmap 2014
- Overview
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.
DOI manages over 20 percent of the Nation’s public lands and is responsible for migratory bird and wildlife conservation; historic preservation; endangered species conservation; surface-mined lands protection and restoration; and mapping, geological, hydrological, and biological science for the Nation. Access to remotely sensed data is critical to fulfilling the DOI’s commitment to providing the best available science over such diverse missions and extensive landscapes. UAS is a tool that has quickly become vital to scientists by delivering some of the best remotely sensed data available over DOI’s expansive geography. UAS can also carry sophisticated high-resolution sensors that offer impressive capabilities relative to the amount, resolution, persistence, and flexibility of remotely collected data for these challenging locations.
New and Noteworthy- Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) natural color, multispectral, lidar, and hypers…
- Incredible discoveries and devastation of paleontological resources in a changi…
- Compilation of topographic data, aerial imagery, and land cover classification,…
- Video acquired from an Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) and hydroacoustic measureme…
- Multimedia
Filter Total Items: 50Victoria Scholl (NUSO) checks the image quality of photos captured using the Mavic Pro UASVictoria Scholl (NUSO) checks the image quality of photos captured using the Mavic Pro UAS
Victoria Scholl (NUSO) checks the image quality of photos captured using the Mavic Pro UAS. These photos will be used to generate a Structure from Motion photogrammetry orthomosaic.
Victoria Scholl (NUSO) checks the image quality of photos captured using the Mavic Pro UAS. These photos will be used to generate a Structure from Motion photogrammetry orthomosaic.
Matrice 600 UAS carrying the methane sensor (left) and Mavic Pro UAS used to collect videos and photosMatrice 600 UAS carrying the methane sensor (left) and Mavic Pro UAS used to collect videos and photosMatrice 600 UAS carrying the methane sensor (left) and Mavic Pro UAS used to collect videos and photos
linkMatrice 600 UAS carrying the methane sensor (left) and Mavic Pro UAS used to collect videos and photos. Both UAS are resting on wooden pallets that the team set onto the bog for a dry and flat takeoff/landing location.
Matrice 600 UAS carrying the methane sensor (left) and Mavic Pro UAS used to collect videos and photos
linkMatrice 600 UAS carrying the methane sensor (left) and Mavic Pro UAS used to collect videos and photos. Both UAS are resting on wooden pallets that the team set onto the bog for a dry and flat takeoff/landing location.
Victoria Scholl (NUSO), Kristen Manies (GMEG Science Center), and Joe Adams (NUSO)Victoria Scholl (NUSO), Kristen Manies (GMEG Science Center), and Joe Adams (NUSO)Victoria Scholl (NUSO), Kristen Manies (GMEG Science Center), and Joe Adams (NUSO) hiked the UAS gear through the woods and across a network of boardwalks to access the bog site at the BNZ LTER.
Victoria Scholl (NUSO), Kristen Manies (GMEG Science Center), and Joe Adams (NUSO) hiked the UAS gear through the woods and across a network of boardwalks to access the bog site at the BNZ LTER.
True-color video still showing the UAS-mounted Kolibri sensor being flown in AlaskaTrue-color video still showing the UAS-mounted Kolibri sensor being flown in AlaskaTrue-color video still showing the UAS-mounted Kolibri sensor being flown through the smoke plume during one of the in-situ oil burns at a Poker Flat Research Range retention pond in Alaska.
True-color video still showing the UAS-mounted Kolibri sensor being flown through the smoke plume during one of the in-situ oil burns at a Poker Flat Research Range retention pond in Alaska.
NUSO researcher Joe Adams tacking down a calibration tarpNUSO researcher Joe Adams tacking down a calibration tarpNUSO researcher Joe Adams tacking down a calibration tarp used to collect reflectance measurements during a mission to develop UAS capabilities to image and identify algae species presence and growth in a controlled setting located in Leetown, West Virginia.
NUSO researcher Joe Adams tacking down a calibration tarp used to collect reflectance measurements during a mission to develop UAS capabilities to image and identify algae species presence and growth in a controlled setting located in Leetown, West Virginia.
Matt Burgess pilots a UAS at Berthoud PassMark Bauer looks on as Matt Burgess remotely pilots a UAS collecting lidar data during the April 2022 USGS UASnow project at Berthoud Pass, Colorado.
Mark Bauer looks on as Matt Burgess remotely pilots a UAS collecting lidar data during the April 2022 USGS UASnow project at Berthoud Pass, Colorado.
UAS collecting natural color video over one of the Winter Park study sites during a joint NUSO and USGS Water Resources Mission Area projectUAS collecting natural color video over one of the Winter Park study sites during a joint NUSO and USGS Water Resources Mission Area projectUAS collecting natural color video over one of the Winter Park study sites during a joint NUSO and USGS Water Resources Mission Area project
linkA UAS collecting natural color video over one of the study sites during a joint NUSO and USGS Water Resources Mission Area snow mapping project in Winter Park, Colorado.
UAS collecting natural color video over one of the Winter Park study sites during a joint NUSO and USGS Water Resources Mission Area project
linkA UAS collecting natural color video over one of the study sites during a joint NUSO and USGS Water Resources Mission Area snow mapping project in Winter Park, Colorado.
Joe Adams (NUSO) setting up a GPS base stationJoe Adams (NUSO) setting up a GPS base station at one of the study sites for a snow mapping project in Winter Park, Colorado. GPS base station data is used in post-processing to improve the geospatial accuracy of UAS collected data.
Joe Adams (NUSO) setting up a GPS base station at one of the study sites for a snow mapping project in Winter Park, Colorado. GPS base station data is used in post-processing to improve the geospatial accuracy of UAS collected data.
NUSO researchers Victoria Scholl and Mark Bauer take a moment to enjoy the sceneryNUSO researchers Victoria Scholl and Mark Bauer take a moment to enjoy the sceneryNUSO researchers Victoria Scholl and Mark Bauer take a moment to enjoy the scenery during the most recent UAS data collection for the snow water equivalent (SWE) project at the Berthoud Pass Colorado study site.
NUSO researchers Victoria Scholl and Mark Bauer take a moment to enjoy the scenery during the most recent UAS data collection for the snow water equivalent (SWE) project at the Berthoud Pass Colorado study site.
A photo of biological soil crusts (biocrusts) taken by Lance Brady (NUSO)A photo of biological soil crusts (biocrusts) taken by Lance Brady (NUSO)Please don’t walk on the biocrust!
UAS pilot takeoff in Moab, UTNUSO UAS pilot Matt Burgess captures an image of himself standing next to the drone's landing pad in a dry, arid environment near Moab, Utah.
NUSO UAS pilot Matt Burgess captures an image of himself standing next to the drone's landing pad in a dry, arid environment near Moab, Utah.
Victoria Scholl (NUSO) returns to base campVictoria Scholl (NUSO) returns to base camp after collecting previously deployed scale bar and ground control point survey targets along the Paleocene Poison Canyon Formation in the Cimarron Canyon, New Mexico.
Victoria Scholl (NUSO) returns to base camp after collecting previously deployed scale bar and ground control point survey targets along the Paleocene Poison Canyon Formation in the Cimarron Canyon, New Mexico.
Mark Bauer reviews the imagery being acquiredMark Bauer reviews the imagery being acquired during the Paleocene Poison Canyon Formation data collection mission.
Mark Bauer reviews the imagery being acquired during the Paleocene Poison Canyon Formation data collection mission.
Ground control point survey targets deployed along the Paleocene Poison Canyon FormationGround control point survey targets deployed along the Paleocene Poison Canyon FormationOne of the ground control point survey targets deployed along the Paleocene Poison Canyon Formation in the Cimarron Canyon and used to provide accurate GPS data during the UAS data collection flights.
One of the ground control point survey targets deployed along the Paleocene Poison Canyon Formation in the Cimarron Canyon and used to provide accurate GPS data during the UAS data collection flights.
Todd Burton (NUSO) replaces the UAS batteriesTodd Burton (NUSO) replaces the UAS batteries between flights in New Mexico’s Cimarron Canyon. Batteries last for only around 15 minutes, therefore a minimum of six sets are typically taken into the field which allows each used set to be cooled down, recharged, and then reused in the field.
Todd Burton (NUSO) replaces the UAS batteries between flights in New Mexico’s Cimarron Canyon. Batteries last for only around 15 minutes, therefore a minimum of six sets are typically taken into the field which allows each used set to be cooled down, recharged, and then reused in the field.
Victoria Scholl (NUSO) places a scale bar and ground control point survey targetVictoria Scholl (NUSO) places a scale bar and ground control point survey targetVictoria Scholl (NUSO) places a scale bar and ground control point survey target along the Paleocene Poison Canyon Formation in the Cimarron Canyon. GPS data from these targets and derived from the UAS collected imagery helps ensure high positional and geometric accuracy of georeferenced data products including 3D models.
Victoria Scholl (NUSO) places a scale bar and ground control point survey target along the Paleocene Poison Canyon Formation in the Cimarron Canyon. GPS data from these targets and derived from the UAS collected imagery helps ensure high positional and geometric accuracy of georeferenced data products including 3D models.
Amy Gilmer, Theresa Schwartz, and Victoria Scholl hike up Cimarron Canyon in New MexicoAmy Gilmer, Theresa Schwartz, and Victoria Scholl hike up Cimarron Canyon in New MexicoPrior to the UAS flights USGS researchers Amy Gilmer, Theresa Schwartz, and Victoria Scholl hike up Cimarron Canyon in New Mexico to place ground control targets and scale bars.
Prior to the UAS flights USGS researchers Amy Gilmer, Theresa Schwartz, and Victoria Scholl hike up Cimarron Canyon in New Mexico to place ground control targets and scale bars.
USGS researchers Amy Gilmer, Theresa Schwartz, and Victoria Scholl hike up Cimarron Canyon in New MexicoUSGS researchers Amy Gilmer, Theresa Schwartz, and Victoria Scholl hike up Cimarron Canyon in New MexicoUSGS researchers Amy Gilmer, Theresa Schwartz, and Victoria Scholl hike up Cimarron Canyon in New Mexico
linkPrior to the UAS flights USGS researchers Amy Gilmer, Theresa Schwartz, and Victoria Scholl hike up Cimarron Canyon in New Mexico to place ground control targets and scale bars.
USGS researchers Amy Gilmer, Theresa Schwartz, and Victoria Scholl hike up Cimarron Canyon in New Mexico
linkPrior to the UAS flights USGS researchers Amy Gilmer, Theresa Schwartz, and Victoria Scholl hike up Cimarron Canyon in New Mexico to place ground control targets and scale bars.
NUSO remote pilot Mark Bauer flies a UASNUSO remote pilot Mark Bauer flies a UAS with a stabilized gimbal with vibration dampening mounted with a Sony A7r camera with a locked focus using a 14mm wide angle lens.
NUSO remote pilot Mark Bauer flies a UAS with a stabilized gimbal with vibration dampening mounted with a Sony A7r camera with a locked focus using a 14mm wide angle lens.
UAS collecting lidar over an East Troublesome Fire burn scarUAS collecting lidar over an East Troublesome Fire burn scarIn June 2021, eight months after the East Troublesome Fire burned over 193,000 acres in Colorado, NUSO performed UAS data collection over several of the burn scars representing different fire intensity levels and fuel types.
In June 2021, eight months after the East Troublesome Fire burned over 193,000 acres in Colorado, NUSO performed UAS data collection over several of the burn scars representing different fire intensity levels and fuel types.
Matt Burgess pilots a UASMatt Burgess pilots a UAS during a joint USGS NUSO, USGS Western Ecological Research Center, USGS Western Geographic Science Center, USGS Spectroscopy Lab, and California State University Monterey Bay multi-scale hyperspectral remote sensing data collection mission in San Francisco Bay, California.
Matt Burgess pilots a UAS during a joint USGS NUSO, USGS Western Ecological Research Center, USGS Western Geographic Science Center, USGS Spectroscopy Lab, and California State University Monterey Bay multi-scale hyperspectral remote sensing data collection mission in San Francisco Bay, California.
- Publications
Check out -
Quick Link "UAS Supports Science" to see UAS data releases and related scientific journal articles
U.S. Geological Survey Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Roadmap 2014
The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) is responsible for protecting the natural resources and heritage contained on almost 20 percent of the land in the United States. This responsibility requires acquisition of remotely sensed data throughout vast lands, including areas that are remote and potentially dangerous to access. One promising new technology for data collection is unmanned aircraft sAuthorsJill J. Cress, Michael E. Hutt, Jeff L. Sloan, Mark A. Bauer, Mark R. Feller, Susan E. Goplen - News
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