GLIMS Update: UAV initiative? Special ASTER imaging. ASTER acquisitions.

[Jeffrey Kargel]

Dear colleagues,
1. I would like to develop a short list of high priority glacier targets for possible future UAV or "UAS" (Unpiloted Aerial Systems) data acquisitions.  It is for a future unsolicited consortium data acquisition proposal (not anything that I have control of at this time).  The instrument payload is not defined, but a suggested payload list might include various radar, multispectral imaging, and laser altimeter instruments.  The UAS capabilities are not pre-defined, but rather we would like the science questions and targets (include logistics of conducting the missions) help to define the instruments and the flight systems.  Don't spend a lot of time on this right now, but if you can send me your suggestions, it may help future discussions with people who might influence NASA's UAS priorities and flight agenda.  I would need:
a. Name of glacier(s) or geographic regionb. A sentence or phrases describing the targetc. A sentence or phrases describing key science questions, issues, or needed observationsd. Lat/lon (centerpoint or polygon)e. Elevation range of the glacier(s)f. Nearest landing strip and fueling site (approximate lat/lon)g. Time of year (open season date to close season date)h. Any special requirement: special altitude of imaging, required repeat imaging, particular type of instruments, sustained balloon observations, or other special need) i. Any known insurmountable flight restrictions, or tips that usual flight restrictions can be overcome.j. Other notes or concerns, relevant publication, etc.k. Key point of contact (name, institution, email address, telephone).
Possible types of special-interest glaciers could include key benchmark glaciers; the largest glaciers or glaciers describable by other superlatives; a last-remnant field of the smallest and rapidly disappearing glaciers; particularly dangerous situations; special dynamics that are of interest for sea level, water resources, security of major critical infrastructure; special dynamics related to ice shelf break-up, major disarticulation events, or expected pending events that could have immense implications; glaciers that are key to theoretical understanding of glacier responses to perturbations; or important glaciers of long standing public interest.  You can define why it is that "your" glaciers should have an overflight campaign.  This information will be used t stir discussion and hopefully mission development at NASA. 
2. If ASTER repeat imaging for your special sites above has been lagging, or has been plagued by clouds or poor gain settings, please provide lat/lon (centerpoints or simple polygons) defining the critical gap, open and close to image season, and any special needs for ASTER imaging, including some indication of what the historic problem has been (no images; too many clouds; wrong season; wrong gains; inadequate repeat coverage; etc). 
3. Southern Hemispherians should be noting some late-season March/April ASTER imaging, hopefully.  Many Northern Hemispherians should generally see start of imaging slightly later in the summer than has been the case in prior years (mainly starting in July instead of June, and continuing later, for those areas that historically saw excess early summer, snowy scenes), intended to reduce snow cover.
-Jeff Kargel   

   		 	   		  
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