---
title: "With $15.9M Funding Extension, the Force Is With Forest-Mapping GEDI"
date: 2026-11-12T13:12:00-05:00
author: Anne Krakower
canonical_url: "https://today.umd.edu/with-15-9m-funding-extension-the-force-is-with-forest-mapping-gedi"
section: Articles
---
# With $15.9M Funding Extension, the Force Is With Forest-Mapping GEDI

*November 12, 2026* — by [Renata Johnson](/author/renata-johnson)


> Laser-based mission will continue measuring the 3D structure of Earth’s forests from the International Space Station.

*GEDI global w colorbar 0230 print 1920x1080 — The data collected through GEDI is valuable for forest and water resource management and weather prediction. (Image by Nasa Scientific Visualization Studio)*

<span>NASA has awarded $15.9 million to continue supporting a University of Maryland-led mission measuring the Earth’s forests from the International Space Station. This third mission extension for the </span>[<span>Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI)</span>](https://gedi.umd.edu/)<span>, a partnership with NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, will extend the project through October 2029. </span>


*Ralph Dubayah headshot*




**Topics:** [Research](https://today.umd.edu/tags/research)


**Tags:** [Geographical Sciences](https://today.umd.edu/topic/geographical-sciences), [Research](https://today.umd.edu/topic/research)


**Units:** [College of Behavioral and Social Sciences](https://today.umd.edu/topic/college-behavioral-and-social-sciences)