NOAA’s remote sensing capabilities “have mapped the wreckage of the World Trade Center in support of recovery and cleanup efforts following the Sept. 11 terrorist attack. The data are being used to provide a very accurate geographic network. Building and utility engineers will be able to determine the location of original foundation support structures, elevator shafts, basement storage areas and building utility connections enabling them to concentrate their digging and recovery efforts in the proper location.

These images will also provide very accurate height measurements as the recovery efforts descend into the basement, to mitigate possible flooding from the surrounding rivers as well as to determine the volume of debris and the reach needed by cranes to remove it.”