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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 181 records · Page 10

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NASA NTRS1985

Building a functional, integrated GIS/remote sensing resource analysis and planning system

To be an effective tool for resource analysis and planning, a geographic information system (GIS) needs to be integrated with a digital remote sensing capability. To be truly functional, the paired system must be driven by grass roots local needs. A case study couched in a Soil Conservation District in northern Utah is presented. Agency representatives determined that the most fundamental data sets to be entered into the GIS system analysis system in the first round were: land use/land cover; geomorphic/soil unit data; hydrologic unit data; and digital terrain. The least expensive and best ways to obtain these data were determined. Data were acquired and formatted to enter the state's PRIME/ARC-INFO GIS, and are being interrogated for resource management decisions related to such issues as agricultural preservation, urban expansion, soil erosion control, and dam siting.

Ridd, M. K.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Development and flight test of a helicopter, X-band, portable precision landing system concept

A beacon landing system (BLS) is being developed and flight tested as a part of NASA's Rotorcraft All-Weather Operations Research Program. The system is based on state-of-of-the-art X-band radar technology and digital processing techniques. The bLS airborne hardware consists of an X-band receiver and a small micropreocessor, installed in conjunction wht the aircraft instrument landing system (ILS) receiver. The microprocessor analyzes the X-band, BLS pulses and outputs ILS-compatible localizer and glide slope signals. Range information is obtained using an on-board weather/mapping radar in conjunction with the BLS. The ground station is an inexpensive, portable unit; it weighs less than 70 lb and can be quickly deployed at a landing site. Results from the flight-test program show that the BLS has a significant potential for providing rotorcaraft with low-cost, precision instrument approach capability in remote areas.

Davis, T. J.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Biochemical processes in sagebrush ecosystems: Interactions with terrain

The objectives of a biogeochemical study of sagebrush ecosystems in Wyoming and their interactions with terrain are as follows: to describe the vegetational pattern on the landscape and elucidate controlling variables, to measure the soil properties and chemical cycling properties associated with the vegetation units, to associate soil properties with vegetation properties as measured on the ground, to develop remote sensing capabilities for vegetation and surface characteristics of the sagebrush landscape, to develop a system of sensing snow cover and indexing seasonal soil to moisture; and to develop relationships between temporal Thematic Mapper (TM) data and vegetation phenological state.

Matson, P.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Development of a microprocessor controller for stand-alone photovoltaic power systems

A controller for stand-alone photovoltaic systems has been developed using a low power CMOS microprocessor. It performs battery state of charge estimation, array control, load management, instrumentation, automatic testing, and communications functions. Array control options are sequential subarray switching and maximum power control. A calculator keypad and LCD display provides manual control, fault diagnosis and digital multimeter functions. An RS-232 port provides data logging or remote control capability. A prototype 5 kW unit has been built and tested successfully. The controller is expected to be useful in village photovoltaic power systems, large solar water pumping installations, and other battery management applications.

Millner, A. R.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Multispectral Linear Array detector technology

The Multispectral Linear Array (MLA) program sponsored by NASA has the aim to extend space-based remote sensor capabilities. The technology development effort involves the realization of very large, all-solid-state, pushbroom focal planes. The pushbroom, staring focal planes will contain thousands of detectors with the objective to provide two orders of magnitude improvement in detector dwell time compared to present Landsat mechanically scanned systems. Attenton is given to visible and near-infrared sensor development, the shortwave infrared sensor, aspects of filter technology development, the packaging concept, and questions of system performance. First-sample, four-band interference filters have been fabricated successfully, and a hybrid packaging technology is being developed.

Tower, J. R.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Development and flight test of a helicopter, X-band, portable precision landing system concept

A beacon landing system (BLS) is being developed and flight tested as a part of NASA's Rotorcraft All-Weather Operations Research Program. The system is based on state-of-the-art X-band radar technology and digital processing techniques. The BLS airborne hardware consists of an X-band receiver and a small microprocessor, installed in conjunction with the aircraft instrument landing system (ILS) receiver. The microprocessor analyzes the X-band, BLS pulses and outputs ILS-compatible localizer and glide slope signals. Range information is obtained using an on-board weather/mapping radar in conjunction with the BLS. The ground station is an inexpensive, portable unit; it weighs less than 70 lb and can be quickly deployed at a landing site. Results from the flight-test program show that the BLS has a significant potential for providing rotorcraft with low-cost, precision instrument approach capability in remote areas.

Davis, T. J.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Determination of U, V, and W from single station Doppler radar radial velocities

The ST/MST (stratosphere troposphere/mesosphere stratosphere troposphere) clear air Doppler radar, or wind profiler, is an important tool in observational meteorology because of its capability to remote observe dynamic parameters of the atmosphere. There are difficulties in transforming the observed radial velocities into meteorological wind components. How this problem has been treated in the past is reviewed, and some of the analysis is recast to a form more suited to the high diagnostic abilities of a number of fixed beam configurations with reference to a linear wind field. The results, in conjunction with other works which treats problems such as the effects of finite sample volumes in the presence of nonhomogeneous atmospheric reflectivity, have implications important to the design of both individual MST/ST radars and MST/ST radar networks. The key parameters to uncoupling terms in the scaling equations are w sub x and w sub y. Whenever the stratiform condition, which states that these two parameters are negligible, is satisfied, a five beam ST radar may determine unbiased values of u, v, and w for sample volumes directly above the radar. The divergence and partial deformation of the flow may also be determined. Three beam systems can determine w and w sub z, but are unable to obtain u and v wind components uncontaminated by vertical sheer terms, even when the stratiform condition is satisfied.

Clark, W. L.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Preliminary planning for the Satellite Precipitation And Cloud Experiment (SPACE) Field Program

Preliminary planning has been performed to support NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in the coordination of the field experiment to be conducted in Central Tennessee, Northern Alabama, and Mississippi during the Spring/Summer of 1986. The goal of Satellite Precipitation and Cloud Experiments (SPACE) is to investigate mesoscale cloud/precipitation systems and development of associated satellite remote sensing technology. The field program will incorporate remote sensing observations from aircraft, satellite imagery, radar observations, ground based lightning measurements, rawinsonde observations, and various surface meteorological observations. The coordination of existing and special observation networks will provide a data base for analysis of precipitation events and provide ground truth comparisons for remote sensing capabilities. Existing surface-based observational networks include National Weather Service Meso/Alpha Scale Rawinsonde, radar, and surface measurements; the Tennessee Valley Authority automated and manual precpitation recording stations; and NASA/MSFC lightning measurement stations. Special observational features to be implemented include a meso/beta scale rawinsonde network, a special surface observational network within the rawinsonde network, and the installation of a RADAP II/ICRAD data processing unit on the National Weather Service radar at Nashville, TN. Initial coordination of these observational requirements to accomplish the goals of SPACE have been performed.

Williams, S. F.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Mesoscale ocean eddy measurements by multibeam altimetry

A multibeam microwave radar altimeter concept is numerically simulated to evaluate its capability to remotely sense mesoscale oceanographic features and eddies in particular. The study tests the sensitivity of the sensor to variations of systematic and environmental parameters, including sensor attitude angle, sensor position, and system errors. A novel concept of computing eddy vorticity from the multibeam data is explored. Application of this concept to the detection of simulated ocean eddies in the presence of tracker noise data gives excellent results; the technique is shown to be simple and accurate. The minimum size of the eddy detectable by the multibeam altimeter is presented for a given performance characteristic of the radar.

Lee, H. S.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Suggested hurricane operational scenario for GOES I-M

Improvements in tropical cyclone forecasts require optimum use of remote sensing capabilities, because conventional data sources cannot provide the necessary spatial and temporal data density over tropical and subtropical oceanic regions. In 1989, the first of a series of geostationary weather satellites, GOES 1-M, will be launched with the capability for simultaneous imaging and sounding. Careful scheduling of the GOES 1-M will enable measurements of both the wind and mass fields over the entire tropical cyclone activity area. The document briefly describes the GOES 1-M imager and sounder, surveys the data needs for hurricane forecasting, discusses how geostationary satellite observations help to meet them, and proposes a GOES 1-M schedule of observations and hurricane relevant derived products.

Menzel, W. P.↗

NASA NTRS1987

A lidar system for measuring atmospheric pressure and temperature profiles

The design and operation of a differential absorption lidar system capable of remotely measuring the vertical structure of tropospheric pressure and temperature are described. The measurements are based on the absorption by atmospheric oxygen of the spectrally narrowband output of two pulsed alexandrite lasers. Detailed laser output spectral characteristics, which are critical to successful lidar measurements, are presented. Spectral linewidths of 0.026 and 0.018 per cm for the lasers were measured with over 99.99 percent of the energy contained in three longitudinal modes.

Schwemmer, Geary K.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Robot hands and extravehicular activity

Extravehicular activity (EVA) is crucial to the success of both current and future space operations. As space operations have evolved in complexity so has the demand placed on the EVA crewman. In addition, some NASA requirements for human capabilities at remote or hazardous sites were identified. One of the keys to performing useful EVA tasks is the ability to manipulate objects accurately, quickly and without early or excessive fatigue. The current suit employs a glove which enables the crewman to perform grasping tasks, use tools, turn switches, and perform other tasks for short periods of time. However, the glove's bulk and resistance to motion ultimately causes fatigue. Due to this limitation it may not be possible to meet the productivity requirements that will be placed on the EVA crewman of the future with the current or developmental Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) hardware. In addition, this hardware will not meet the requirements for remote or hazardous operations. In an effort to develop ways for improving crew productivity, a contract was awarded to develop a prototype anthromorphic robotic hand (ARH) for use with an extravehicular space suit. The first step in this program was to perform a a design study which investigated the basic technology required for the development of an ARH to enhance crew performance and productivity. The design study phase of the contract and some additional development work is summarized.

Marcus, Beth↗

NASA NTRS1990

Information sciences experiment system

The rapid expansion of remote sensing capability over the last two decades will take another major leap forward with the advent of the Earth Observing System (Eos). An approach is presented that will permit experiments and demonstrations in onboard information extraction. The approach is a non-intrusive, eavesdropping mode in which a small amount of spacecraft real estate is allocated to an onboard computation resource. How such an approach allows the evaluation of advanced technology in the space environment, advanced techniques in information extraction for both Earth science and information science studies, direct to user data products, and real-time response to events, all without affecting other on-board instrumentation is discussed.

Katzberg, Stephen J.↗

NASA NTRS1990

NASA's first dexterous space robot

NASA is developing the Flight Telerobotic Servicer (FTS), a robotic device that can be teleoperated under constant command of a human operator or run by itself under human supervision. Plans call for the FTS to assist the astronauts in the assembly, maintenance, servicing, and inspection of Space Station Freedom. The FTS project is driven by five major objectives: to reduce Space Station dependence on crew EVA, improve crew safety, enhance crew utilization, promote remote servicing capabilities for platforms, and accelerate technology transfer from research to U.S. industry. Another part of the FTS project is a ground system that will support operations and system evolution. Not only will the FTS provide a needed operational capability during the assembly and operation of Space Station Freedom, it will also provide an expanding foundation for proving more advanced robotic and telepresence concepts in space.

Mccain, Harry G.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Automated Fluid Interface System (AFIS)

Automated remote fluid servicing will be necessary for future space missions, as future satellites will be designed for on-orbit consumable replenishment. In order to develop an on-orbit remote servicing capability, a standard interface between a tanker and the receiving satellite is needed. The objective of the Automated Fluid Interface System (AFIS) program is to design, fabricate, and functionally demonstrate compliance with all design requirements for an automated fluid interface system. A description and documentation of the Fairchild AFIS design is provided.

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NASA NTRS1990

An application for multi-person task synchronization

Computer applications are studied that will enable a group of people to synchronize their actions when following a predefined task sequence. It is assumed that the people involved only have computer workstations available to them for communication. Hence, the approach is to study how the computer can be used to help a group remain synchronized. A series of applications were designed and developed that can be used as vehicles for experimentation. An example of how this technique can be used for a remote coaching capability is explained in a report describing an experiment that simulated a Life Sciences experiment on-board Space Station Freedom, with a ground based principal investigator providing the expertise by coaching the on-orbit mission specialist.

Brown, Robert L.↗

NASA NTRS1992

SeaWiFS technical report series. Volume 1: An overview of SeaWiFS and ocean color

The purpose of this series of technical reports is to provide current documentation of the Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS) Project activities, instrument performance, algorithms, and operations. This documentation is necessary to ensure that critical information related to the quality and calibration of the satellite data is available to the scientific community. SeaWiFS will bring to the ocean community a welcomed and improved renewal of the ocean color remote sensing capability lost when the Nimbus-7 Coastal Zone Color Scanner (CZCS) ceased operating in 1986. The goal of SeaWiFS, scheduled to be launched in August 1993, is to examine oceanic factors that affect global change. Because of the role of phytoplankton in the global carbon cycle, data obtained from SeaWiFS will be used to assess the ocean's role in this cycle, as well as other biogeochemical cycles. SeaWiFS data will be used to help elucidate the magnitude and variability of the annual cycle of primary production by marine phytoplankton and to determine the distribution and timing of spring blooms. The observations will help to visualize the dynamics of ocean and costal currents, the physics of mixing, and the relationships between ocean physics and large-scale patterns of productivity. The data will help fill the gap in ocean biological observations between those of the CZCS and the upcoming Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) on the Earth Observing System-A (EOS-A) satellite.

Hooker, Stanford B.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Geostationary Operational Environmental Statellite(GEOS-N report)

The Advanced Missions Analysis Office (AMAO) of GSFC has completed a study of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES-N) series. The feasibility, risks, schedules, and associated costs of advanced space and ground system concepts responsive to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) requirements were evaluated. The study is the first step in a multi-phased procurement effort that is expected to result in launch ready hardware in the post 2000 time frame. This represents the latest activity of GSFC in translating meteorological requirements of NOAA into viable space systems in geosynchronous earth orbits (GEO). GOES-N represents application of the latest spacecraft, sensor, and instrument technologies to enhance NOAA meteorological capabilities via remote and in-situ sensing from GEO. The GOES-N series, if successfully developed, could become another significant step in NOAA weather forecasting space systems, meeting increasingly complex emerging national needs for that agency's services.

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