ASPECT provides infrared and photographic images with geospatial, chemical and radiological 

information within minutes to the first responder. The speed of transmitting this information 

permits a more efficient assessment of the extent and severity of damages to critical infrastructure during emergencies to minimize impacts to the American people, environment and 

the economy.

ASPECT is a screening tool that uses multiple sensors to support emergency responses, homeland security missions, environmental surveys, and climate monitoring missions. Data generated 

from these missions produce scientifically-valid products in a variety of formats to support 

the local, state, and federal operation centers. The ASPECT Team encompasses scientists, 

engineers, and public health experts all with advanced degrees, and more than 

75 years of collective experience in airborne remote chemical or radiological 

detection and emergency response operations.

ASPECT is a 24/7/365 response-ready asset that can be wheels up within an hour of activation 

and be on station, collecting data, anywhere in CONUS within nine hours from its home base 

near Dallas, TX.

ASPECT CONTACTS

Mark Thomas - Program Manager - 513-675-4753 - thomas.markj@epa.gov

Tim Curry - Deputy Program/Financial Manager - 816-718-4281 - curry.timothy@epa.gov 

John Cardarelli - Radiation Program Manager - 513-675-4745 - cardarelli.john@epa.gov 

Paul Kudarauskas - Logistics Manager & DC Liaison - 202-344-5382 - kudarauskas.paul@epa.gov
ASPECT TECHNOLOGIES:

• Infrared line scanner (IRLS) to image 

chemical plumes 

• High-speed infrared spectrometer to 

identify and quantify the composition 

of the chemical plume in the ppb to 

ppm range 

• Gamma-ray spectrometer systems 

for radiological detection

• High resolution digital cameras 

(aerial & oblique) with ability to rectify 

for inclusion into geographical information system (GIS)

• Central platform integrates all sensor 

data and processes it through customized scientifically-validated software, 

producing data and images within 

minutes while in flight

• Broadband satellite data system

(SatComm) for communications with 

and data transfer to the ground team

AIRCRAFT

• Plane: 1968 Aero Commander 680 

FL/G Platform (near Dallas, Texas)

• Range: 1,100 nautical miles; aloft time 

4 – 6 hours

• Coverage: 4-hour coverage within a 

700 mile radius

• Service Altitude: Data collection at 

300 to 5,000 feet above ground level

• Speeds: Data collection at ~110 knots; 

cruise at 180 – 200 knots

• Ground Needs: Standard FBO and 

high speed internet

• Aircraft Crew: 2 commercial/ATP rated 

pilots and 1 operator

ASPECT PROGRAM AND TEAM

• Multi-role response experience with environmental emergencies, natural disasters and 

pre-deployments to National Special Security 

Events (NSSE) and Special Event Assesment 

Rating (SEAR) level events

• Increased coordination and communication with 

all stakeholders regarding operational data

• Customer-driven products and data formats that 

can be provided within time critical minutes, 

while maintaining a budget conscious response

 • Derived from interagency collaboration, 

academia, states, and the private sector

 • The team designs the chemical sensors 

and develops software in-house and 

commercial available applications for the 

radiological program 

 • Provides onsite support to the first 

responders, performs data analyses, and 

makes adjustments and repairs to the system and/or data products per the customer 

needs

Infrared Image of Methane Plume 

release

Infrared Image of Oil on Water at the 

BP Oil Spill

CHEMICAL CAPABILITIES

• ASPECT can detect and quantify gaseous 

constituents present in the air column between 

the aircraft and the ground using the principles 

of remote passive infrared detection via a 

Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTS) 

to detect and quantify gaseous constituents 

present in the air column between the aircraft 

and the ground

• ASPECT’s chemical detection software filters 

out common atmospheric constituents as it 

automatically searches for 78 chemical compounds, near real-time, in the air column below 

the aircraft

QUALITY ASSURANCE

• Post flight, data is examined by the ASPECT 

Team to quality assure performance and 

reprocess data to search for the presence of 

hundreds of additional possible chemical 

compounds

GAMMA EMERGENCY MAPPING (GEM)

Exposure Rate Contour Map

• Improves the nation’s airborne gamma-screening and mapping capability of ground-based gamma contamination 

following a wide-area radiological dispersal device (RDD), 

improvised nuclear detonation (IND), or nuclear power plant 

(NPP) accidents

• Utilizes commercially available state-of-the-art hardware and 

software

• Provides the only airborne remote sensing system in the 

country with a versatile NaI and LaBr crystal detection setup

• Applies IAEA, DOE, and EPA processing algorithms

• Offers near real-time product development based on 

customer input

Overlayed Mosaic of Georectified Aerial 

Images

Google Earth Base Map

IMAGERY

• Available infrared and photographic images with geospatial chemical and 

radiological information

• All imagery is geo-rectified using both aircraft attitude correction (pitch, 

yaw, and roll) and GPS positional information

• Georeferenced high resolution oblique images

• Image processing is composed of two primary steps including image 

enhancement and geo-registration

• If requested, aerial photography (and IR imagery) can be stitched into a 

wide area mosaic

• All displayed and easily access via Google Earth or a secure FTP site; 

Google and GIS compatible formats