MoreDr. Jon Arvik, Chief Technologist and Director of Commercial Development at Mississippi State University's (MSU) Remote Sensing Technologies Center (RSTC), has taken a two-year assignment at the NASA Stennis Space Center.
Arvik has assumed the new role as Director of the Applications Deployment Division of the Earth Science Applications Directorate (ESAD) at the Stennis Space Center, which is located on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. An RSTC employee since 1999, Arvik reported for his new assignment with NASA in June 2002.
ESAD is part of NASA's Earth Science Enterprise (ESE), which is dedicated to the understanding of the total Earth system and the effects of natural and human-induced changes on the global environment. With a mission of incorporating remote sensing technology into the everyday lives of U.S. businesses and citizens, ESAD is tasked with implementing the programs planned by ESE in the areas of resource management, disaster management, community growth and infrastructure and environmental assessment.
"My responsibilities as Director of Applications Deployment Division at ESAD include execution of programs to develop and benchmark remote sensing capabilities that can be used for the benefit of the public and the U.S. remote sensing industry," said Dr. Arvik.
Programs under Arvik's direction at ESAD include Ag2020, a joint NASA/Department of Agriculture project aimed at demonstrating the applicability of geospatial technologies in the agriculture industry. In addition, he will spearhead the State, Local and Tribal Government Broad Area Announcement effort to enhance the use of remote sensing technologies by a variety of government agencies. Arvik will also manage relations between NASA and several Regional Earth Application Centers around the country.
While at Stennis, Arvik remains an employee of RSTC. His assignment to NASA
was carried out under the Interagency Personnel Act, which enables personnel
at state agencies to assume temporary positions with the federal government.
