The information we really need to gather initially is to find out what researchers need and desire in a professional society. In addition, we [ISA Members] can take advantage of our existing contacts in the R&D community to help gather this information.

A professional society that has strong ties to both the industrial and research communities would be invaluable. Enhancing the R&D contribution to ISA would enhance benefits to all ISA Members. This could help make ISA more competitive as a professional society as the economy continues to struggle.

The benefit to researchers is the potential for getting additional funding and the opportunity of getting students real-life experience. Industry benefits because they can get some of their problems addressed at a time when company R&D programs have been cut back.

With these satellites NGA provides FEMA with geospatial information that can cover the affected states. With information provided by these assets FEMA is better able to make assessments on the overall damage and decide where to focus resources.

With these satellites NGA provides FEMA with geospatial information that can cover the affected states,

There is all sorts of information out there, just like this and everybody just sort of shrugs their shoulders.