The Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) is accepting public commentary on its draft framework data standards through October 30, 2004. Those interested in commenting can visit the FGDC Framework Standard Registered Preview Web site. The standards would establish common requirements for making data exchange less difficult. Seven areas crucial to the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) system of policies and technology are addressed in an effort to increase geospatial data sharing for all government, academic, private, and nonprofit users. The framework data standards stipulate a minimal level of data content that is expected from producers, consumers, and vendors doing data interchange. Members of the public participating will receive a password after registering online to use a special standards Web site. In other news, NASA has begun the Soil Moisture Experiment 2004 (SMEX04) study, which targets the soil in the southwestern U.S. Other participants are the USDA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Sonora Research Institute and a dozen universities. NOAA says its satellites were crucial components in the saving of 54 lives in 27 situations that might have become deadly in Spring 2004. The satellites captured distress signals from land, sea, and air. Satellites have also assisted in the rescue of 114 people in 2004. A particularly valuable contribution by NOAA was the use of high-technology 406Mhz emergency beacons on airplanes, boats, bikers, and campers that assisted with search-and-rescue operations.