Alabama – Marshall
Node Host: University of Alabama Huntsville @ NSSTC
Lead Collaborator: NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
Acronym: MSFC

About the Node Hosts: Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) is one of NASA DEVELOP's NASA center locations. This node was established in 2008 within the National Space and Science Technology Center (NSSTC) by the University of Alabama in Huntsville. MSFC resides in Huntsville, Alabama, also known as The Rocket City, where the first American satellite launched in 1958. The NSSTC conducts a variety of research, including Earth and atmospheric sciences, space science, and engineering. Prominent organizations located in the building include the National Weather Service and NASA's GHRC DAAC. Participants have access to the remote sensing and GIS technologies to help strengthen their skills.

History of the DEVELOP Node: The Marshall Space Flight Center node was founded in 2008. It initially was located in Birmingham, AL with a project focus on health and air quality due to its proximity to the University of Alabama at Birmingham, which has a large medicinal research community. However, the node was later moved to Huntsville, AL to be closer to the NASA node and University of Alabama in Huntsville, where there are a strong GIS and remote sensing science community and resources. Participants have the opportunity to utilize a plethora of resources and mentoring from advisors with diverse backgrounds.

About the Node: DEVELOP at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) strives to provide its participants with the greatest opportunity for success in the geospatial research industry. MSFC tends to have 2 projects each in the Fall and Spring, and 3-4 projects during the Summer terms. Historically, DEVELOP at MSFC has specialized in ecological forecasting and water resource projects, with more recent focuses in disasters and health & air quality. The node science advisors backgrounds are in forest ecology, micro-climate, and anthropology. The node is located off-base from NASA-Marshall/Redstone Army Arsenal. This allows for the unique opportunity for foreign nationals to participate in working at a NASA node.

Location

Huntsville, Alabama

Node Leadership

Fellow: Paxton LaJoie

Science Advisor: Dr. Robert Griffin & Dr. Jeffrey Luvall

Featured Project

Coastal Alabama Oceans