Dates of Images and Input Data:

8/1/2026

Summary:

The MODIS/ASTER Airborne Simulator (MASTER) is a scanning spectrometer flown on multi-altitude research aircraft. It collects high-resolution multispectral imagery across the visible, near-infrared, shortwave infrared (SWIR), mid-infrared (MIR), and thermal infrared (TIR) spectrums.

Because MASTER collects information across a wide electromagnetic spectrum, its data allows for multiple derived products to be produced during a disaster event, such as high-resolution thermal mapping (for active fires/hotspots) or surface reflectance analysis (for burn scars, flooding, or damage).

The band composites are:

• Natural Color

• SWIR (2.1um – 1.6um – 0.55um)- active fire is yellow, vegetation is bright green, smoke is blue

• MWSWIR (4.0um – 2.1um – 1.6um)- this is our classic fire presentation, Active fire is nearly white, hot spots yellow dark orange/red, burned areas are lighter orange, and vegetation is magenta

Suggested Use:

Imagery can be used for high-resolution post-event environmental assessment, thermal hotspot detection, and mapping of surface conditions to support scaling studies.

Product Description:

Standard data products are provided as geotiffs. True Color and False Color composites are created from the wide spectral range, as well as isolate specific thermal emissions to map disaster impacts dynamically.

Satellite/Sensor/Resolution:

Platform: Airborne

Sensor: MODIS/ASTER Airborne Simulator (MASTER) (Modified Daedalus Wildfire scanning spectrometer)

Spatial Resolution: 5 to 50 meters dependent on aircraft speed and flight altitude

Temporal Resolution: Dependent on approved flight schedules

Caveats and Limitations:

These results are intended to support rapid emergency response. All information is provisional for use under emergency response guidelines. These data are provided with absolutely no warranty of any kind. Use at your own risk.

Additionally, certain MASTER spectral channels are strongly affected by atmospheric absorption (e.g., water vapor bands). Data collection is not continuous and requires formal scheduling and approval via the NASA Airborne Science Program Flight Request System.

Esri REST Endpoint:

See URL to the right.

WMS Endpoint:

Credits:

Instrument maintenance and operations are managed by the Earth Planetary Instrumentation and Calibration (EPIC) Lab (NASA Ames Research Center) in conjunction with the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Principal Investigator: Dr. Simon Hook (NASA JPL).

Dates of Images and Input Data:

8/1/2026

Summary:

The MODIS/ASTER Airborne Simulator (MASTER) is a scanning spectrometer flown on multi-altitude research aircraft. It collects high-resolution multispectral imagery across the visible, near-infrared, shortwave infrared (SWIR), mid-infrared (MIR), and thermal infrared (TIR) spectrums.

Because MASTER collects information across a wide electromagnetic spectrum, its data allows for multiple derived products to be produced during a disaster event, such as high-resolution thermal mapping (for active fires/hotspots) or surface reflectance analysis (for burn scars, flooding, or damage).

The band composites are:

• Natural Color

• SWIR (2.1um – 1.6um – 0.55um)- active fire is yellow, vegetation is bright green, smoke is blue

• MWSWIR (4.0um – 2.1um – 1.6um)- this is our classic fire presentation, Active fire is nearly white, hot spots yellow dark orange/red, burned areas are lighter orange, and vegetation is magenta

Suggested Use:

Imagery can be used for high-resolution post-event environmental assessment, thermal hotspot detection, and mapping of surface conditions to support scaling studies.

Product Description:

Standard data products are provided as geotiffs. True Color and False Color composites are created from the wide spectral range, as well as isolate specific thermal emissions to map disaster impacts dynamically.

Satellite/Sensor/Resolution:

Platform: Airborne

Sensor: MODIS/ASTER Airborne Simulator (MASTER) (Modified Daedalus Wildfire scanning spectrometer)

Spatial Resolution: 5 to 50 meters dependent on aircraft speed and flight altitude

Temporal Resolution: Dependent on approved flight schedules

Caveats and Limitations:

These results are intended to support rapid emergency response. All information is provisional for use under emergency response guidelines. These data are provided with absolutely no warranty of any kind. Use at your own risk.

Additionally, certain MASTER spectral channels are strongly affected by atmospheric absorption (e.g., water vapor bands). Data collection is not continuous and requires formal scheduling and approval via the NASA Airborne Science Program Flight Request System.

Esri REST Endpoint:

See URL to the right.

WMS Endpoint:

Credits:

Instrument maintenance and operations are managed by the Earth Planetary Instrumentation and Calibration (EPIC) Lab (NASA Ames Research Center) in conjunction with the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Principal Investigator: Dr. Simon Hook (NASA JPL).