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At least 181 records · Page 10

Fixed-head star tracker magnitude calibration on the solar maximum mission

The sensitivity of the fixed-head star trackers (FHSTs) on the Solar Maximum Mission (SMM) is defined as the accuracy of the electronic response to the magnitude of a star in the sensor field-of-view, which is measured as intensity in volts. To identify stars during attitude determination and control processes, a transformation equation is required to convert from star intensity in volts to units of magnitude and vice versa. To maintain high accuracy standards, this transformation is calibrated frequently. A sensitivity index is defined as the observed intensity in volts divided by the predicted intensity in volts; thus, the sensitivity index is a measure of the accuracy of the calibration. Using the sensitivity index, analysis is presented that compares the strengths and weaknesses of two possible transformation equations. The effect on the transformation equations of variables, such as position in the sensor field-of-view, star color, and star magnitude, is investigated. In addition, results are given that evaluate the aging process of each sensor. The results in this work can be used by future missions as an aid to employing data from star cameras as effectively as possible.

Pitone, Daniel S.↗

Validation of Ocean Color Remote Sensing Data using a Moored Databuoy

NASA's Sea-Viewing Wide Field-of-View Sensor (SeaWiFS) aims to measure global ocean color from space to within 5% to provide insights into fundamental ocean processes. SeaWiFS must be backed by comprehensive calibration and validation programs if the mission is to achieve this. In situ measurements of normalized water-leaving radiance (L(sub wn)) made simultaneously with satellite measurements can complement on-orbit methods of tracking changes in the calibration of the satellite radiometer and allow end-to-end vicarious validation of the remotely-sensed data. A moored optical databuoy was developed at Plymouth Marine Laboratory, UK to measure L(sub wn) in the western English Channel. Tests indicate that the buoy is capable of measuring spectral incident irradiance with less than 10% error and water-leaving radiance with less than 20% error; these errors are reduced by averaging and show no bias. There were 24 match-ups with good quality SeaWiFS data at the buoy site during the ten months of deployment within the period May 1997 and September 1998. The differences between the buoy and SeaWiFS measurements of L(sub wn) were found to be variable and often large. The root-mean-square (RMS) differences varied from 102% at 412 nm to 50% at 555 nm. The RMS differences in measurements of L(sub wn) could be reduced to less than 18% by a combination of increasing the calibration coefficients of SeaWiFS by between 0.2 and 4.3% in the visible bands and by tuning the extrapolation of aerosol radiances from the near infrared to the visible wavelengths. These results imply that the monitoring of the absolute calibration of the SeaWiFS bands is imperfect and errors remain in the extrapolation of aerosol radiances for atmospheric correction.

Lavender, Samantha↗

John F. Kennedy Space Center's Chemochromic Hypergol Sensors

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) seeks partne rs interested in the commercial application of the Chemochromic Hyper gol Sensors technology. NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is soliciti ng licensees for this innovative technology. The Chemochromic Hypergo l Sensors technology consists of chemochromic pigments incorporated i nto various matrices (e.g., tapes, sheets, injection molded parts, fi bers). When placed near strategic locations such as piping and contai ner valves, seams, and joints, these sensors provide an instantaneous , distinct color change from yellow to black indicating the presence of hypergols at the leak location. The chemochromic pigments can be incorporated into fibers used to make fabrics for personal protective equipment as well as into badge holders for use as a point leak detector. These affordable, easily replaceable sensors provide the capabil ity to visually monitor leak-prone locations and personnel working i n those areas on a continuous basis for the presence of dangerous hyp ergols.

Nichols, James D.↗

Visible and infrared imaging radiometers for ocean observations

The current status of visible and infrared sensors designed for the remote monitoring of the oceans is reviewed. Emphasis is placed on multichannel scanning radiometers that are either operational or under development. Present design practices and parameter constraints are discussed. Airborne sensor systems examined include the ocean color scanner and the ocean temperature scanner. The costal zone color scanner and advanced very high resolution radiometer are reviewed with emphasis on design specifications. Recent technological advances and their impact on sensor design are examined.

Barnes, W. L.↗

Fiber optic and laser sensors IV; Proceedings of the Meeting, Cambridge, MA, Sept. 22-24, 1986

The conference presents papers on industrial uses of fiber optic sensors, point and distributed polarimetric optical fiber sensors, fiber optic electric field sensor technology, micromachined resonant structures, single-mode fibers for sensing applications, and measurement techniques for magnetic field gradient detection. Consideration is also given to electric field meter and temperature measurement techniques for the power industry, the calibration of high-temperature fiber-optic microbend pressure transducers, and interferometric sensors for dc measurands. Other topics include the recognition of colors and collision avoidance in robotics using optical fiber sensors, the loss compensation of intensity-modulating fiber-optic sensors, and an embedded optical fiber strain tensor for composite structure applications.

De Paula, Ramon P.↗

Ocean Color Instrument Integration and Testing

This paper describes the plans, flows, key facilities, components and equipment necessary to fully integrate, functionally test, qualify and calibrate the Ocean Color Instrument (OCI) on the Plankton, Aerosols, Clouds, and oceans Ecosystem (PACE) observatory. PACE is currently in the design phase of mission development. It is scheduled to launch in 2022, extending and improving NASA's twenty-year record of satellite observations of global ocean biology, aerosols and clouds. PACE will advance the assessment of ocean health by measuring the distribution of phytoplankton, which are small plants and algae that sustain the marine food web. It will also continue systematic records of key atmospheric variables associated with air quality and the Earth's climate. PACE's primary sensor, the OCI, is a highly advanced optical spectrometer that will be used to measure properties of light over portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. It will enable continuous measurement of light at finer wavelength resolution than previous NASA satellite sensors, extending key system ocean color data records for climate studies. The color of the ocean is determined by the interaction of sunlight with substances or particles present in seawater such as chlorophyll. By monitoring global phytoplankton distribution and abundance with unprecedented detail, the OCI will contribute to a better understanding of the complex systems that drive ocean ecology and it's impacts on global fisheries. This paper will focus on the Integration and Test (I&T) activities for OCI while it is at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. The OCI integration consists of assembly and alignment of the rotating telescope, electronics box integration, fixed deck assembly integration, thermal systems integration and the final assembly and testing. This I&T phase will be followed by the OCI calibration and characterization, environmental tests which include electromagnetic interference (EMI)/electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), vibration with sine sweep, acoustics, shock, thermal balance, thermal vacuum, mass properties and center of gravity. This paper will briefly discuss OCI shipment and delivery to the spacecraft vendor for observatory level I&T as well as some launch preparation activities.

Petro, Susanna↗

Development of a Simulated Data Set for the SeaWiFS Mission

A realistic simulated data set is essential for mission readiness preparations and can potentially assist in all phases of ground support for a future mission. Such a data set was created for the Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS), a global ocean color mission due for launch in 1997. This data set incorporates a representation of virtually every known aspect of the flight mission. Thus, it provides a high fidelity data set for testing most phases of the ground system, Including data processing, data transfers, calibration and validation, quality control, and mission operations. The data set is constructed for a seven-day period, March 25-31, 1994. Specific features of the data set: it includes Global Area Coverage (GAC), recorded Local Area Coverage (LAC), and real-time High Resolution Picture Transmission (HRFIT) data for the seven-day period; it includes a realistic orbit which is propagated using a Brouwer-Lyddane model with drag; the data correspond to a command schedule based on the orbit for this seven-day period; it includes total (at-satellite) radiances for ocean, land, clouds, and ice; it utilizes a high-resolution land/sea mask; it includes actual SeaWiFS spectral responses; it includes the actual sensor saturation responses; it is formatted according to current onboard data structures; and it includes corresponding telemetry (instrument and spacecraft) data. The methods are described and some examples of the output are given.

Gregg, Watson W.↗

Theory of spectral radiance of pollutants at sea, volume 1

Remote measurement of pollutants dumped in the sea, not oil slicks, but soluble pollutants that change the color of the water, is addressed. The sensor is a spectral radiometer that flies over the polluted area and compares its spectral radiance (color) to that of surrounding clean seawater. The goal is to infer the concentration of pollutants using the measured radiance of the sea compared to laboratory measurements of reflection and transmission spectra of the pollutants. The subject is treated in three steps: (1) the quantities involved are defined and means for measuring them are described; (2) the equations for remote sensing with a low-flying aircraft are derived, in which wase the absorption and radiance of intervening air is negligible; and (3) high-flying aircraft and satellites are applied, in which case the radiance of intervening air is the major problem.

Source record↗

Comparing the Ocean Color Measurements Between MOS and SeaWiFS: A Vicarious Intercalibration Approach for MOS

One of the primary goals of the NASA Sensor Intercomparison and Merger for Biological and Interdisciplinary Oceanic Studies (SIMBIOS) project is to develop methods for meaningful comparison and possible merging of data products from multiple ocean color missions. The Modular Optoelectronic Scanner (MOS) is a German instrument that was launched in the spring of 1996 on the Indian IRS-P3 satellite. With the successful launch of NASA's Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS) in the summer of 1997, there are now two ocean color missions in concurrent operation and there is interest within the scientific community to compare data from these two sensors. In this paper, we describe our efforts to retrieve ocean optical properties from both SeaWiFS and MOS using consistent methods. We first briefly review the atmospheric correction, which removes more than 90% of the observed radiances in the visible, and then describe how the atmospheric correction algorithm used for the SeaWiFS data can be modified for application to other ocean color sensors. Next, since the retrieved water-leaving radiances in the visible between MOS and SeaWiFS are significantly different, we developed a vicarious intercalibration method to recalibrate the MOS spectral bands based on the optical properties of the ocean and atmosphere derived from the coincident SeaWiFS measurements. We present and discuss the MOS retrieved ocean optical properties before and after the vicarious calibration, and demonstrate the efficacy of this approach. We show that it is possible and efficient to vicariously intercalibrate sensors between one and another.

Wang, Menghua↗

Television cameras employing solid-state imaging sensors for manned spacecraft applications

The Space Shuttle television system incorporates a versatile complement of TV equipment which allows the positioning, quantity, and performance capabilities of the multiple TV cameras to vary as dictated by the particular mission. However, current TV camera technology employing glass enclosed, vacuum processed image sensors results in a bulky device that restricts its location and versatility. Problems and potential solutions that can be achieved through the employment of solid-state image sensors for both monochrome and color applications are discussed.

Embrey, B. C., Jr.↗

SIMBIOS Normalized Water-Leaving Radiance Calibration and Validation: Sensor Response, Atmospheric Corrections, Stray Light and Sun Glint

This Sensor Intercomparison and Merger for Biological and Interdisciplinary Oceanic Studies (SIMBIOS) contract supports acquisition of match up radiometric and bio-optical data for validation of Sea-Viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS) and other ocean color satellites, and evaluation of uncertainty budgets and protocols for in situ measurements of normalized water leaving radiances.

Mueller, James L.↗

Overcoming Dimensionality Barriers in Satellite Data to Elucidate SPECTRAL-SPATIAL-TEMPORAL Trends in the Ocean

The weighted harmonic mean of spectral wavelengths can be used as an index of optical water types that share similar spectral signatures.This technique can be translated to relate spectral shape between sensors of varying spectral resolution.The output along a continuum of color values enables spatio-temporal analysis of subtle spectral shifts.Directional trends in absorption and backscatter data lend a hidden context to changes in water color. Conceptualization of multiple data dimensions is imperative as passive/active sensors grow increasingly sophisticated in nature.

Vandermeulen, Ryan↗

Spatial Characterization of PACE OCI ETU Using Time-Delay Mode

The OCI (Ocean Color Instrument) is the main sensor on the upcoming PACE (Plankton Aerosol Cloud ocean Ecosystem) mission. OCI has two hyperspectral CCD sensors covering 340nm to 885nm and 9 SWIR (Short Wave IR) bands from 940nm to 2260nm. SWIR bands have nominal 1km ground pixel size and CCD bands have native 1/8 km ground pixel size in diagnostic mode that will be aggregated into 1km pixels to improve SNR and meet the data rate constraints. OCI has a rotating telescope that is synchronized to the readout of the CCD and SWIR detectors. Full pre-launch system level testing for the OCI ETU (Engineering Test Unit) was completed in June 2021.With time-delayed scan mode, a sub-pixel level time-delay step is applied to the detector readout. This sub-pixel level time-delay step causes a sub-pixel level shift in the start of the data collection. After collecting time-delay step scans with different step sizes, a scan profile with sub-pixel resolution can be constructed. 1/8 and 1/4 of CCD pixel resolutions were achieved using this mode. In this paper, the OCI time-delayed scan mode will be described as well as how it was used to calculate OCI’s high spatial resolution PSF (Point Spread Function), IFOV (instantaneous Field of View), MTF (Modulation Transfer Function), and BBR (Band to Band Registration).

PACE↗

Visible and infrared imaging radiometers for ocean observations

The technology of visible and infrared imaging sensors designed for the remote monitoring of the oceans is assessed. Emphasis is placed on multichannel scanning radiometers that are either operational or under development. Present design practices and parameter constraints are discussed. Airborne sensor systems examined include the Ocean Color Scanner (OCS) and the Ocean Temperature Scanner (OTS). The Coastal Zone Color Scanner (CZCS) and Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR), are reviewed with emphasis on design specifications, expected completion, and anticipated performance. Finally, recent technology advances and their probable impact on sensor design are examined.

Barnes, W. L.↗

Biogeochemical Response to Mesoscale Physical Forcing in the California Current System

In the first part of the project, we investigated the local response of the coastal ocean ecosystems (changes in chlorophyll, concentration and chlorophyll, fluorescence quantum yield) to physical forcing by developing and deploying Autonomous Drifting Ocean Stations (ADOS) within several mesoscale features along the U.S. west coast. Also, we compared the temporal and spatial variability registered by sensors mounted in the drifters to that registered by the sensors mounted in the satellites in order to assess the scales of variability that are not resolved by the ocean color satellite. The second part of the project used the existing WOCE SVP Surface Lagrangian drifters to track individual water parcels through time. The individual drifter tracks were used to generate multivariate time series by interpolating/extracting the biological and physical data fields retrieved by remote sensors (ocean color, SST, wind speed and direction, wind stress curl, and sea level topography). The individual time series of the physical data (AVHRR, TOPEX, NCEP) were analyzed against the ocean color (SeaWiFS) time-series to determine the time scale of biological response to the physical forcing. The results from this part of the research is being used to compare the decorrelation scales of chlorophyll from a Lagrangian and Eulerian framework. The results from both parts of this research augmented the necessary time series data needed to investigate the interactions between the ocean mesoscale features, wind, and the biogeochemical processes. Using the historical Lagrangian data sets, we have completed a comparison of the decorrelation scales in both the Eulerian and Lagrangian reference frame for the SeaWiFS data set. We are continuing to investigate how these results might be used in objective mapping efforts.

Niiler, Pearn P.↗

The Proposal for the NASA Sensor Intercalibration and Merger for Biological and Interdisciplinary Oceanic Studies(SIMBIOS) Program, 1995

As a result of the Earth Observing System (EOS) restructuring exercise during the last half of fiscal year 1994, the EOS Color mission, which was scheduled to be a data-buy with a 1998 launch was dropped from the EOS mission manifest primarily because of the number of international ocean color missions scheduled for launch in the 1998 time frame. In lieu of a new mission, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) was tasked by NASA Headquarters to develop an ocean color satellite calibration and validation plan for multiple sensors. The objective of the activity was to develop a methodology and operational capability to combine data products from the various ocean color missions in a manner that ensures the best possible global coverage and data quality. The program was called the Sensor Intercomparison and Merger for Biological and Interdisciplinary Oceanic Studies (SIMBIOS) project coined from the biological term "symbiosis." This document is the original proposal that was developed and submitted in May 1995. SIMBIOS was approved in 1996 and initiated in 1997 with a project office and technical staff at GSFC and a science team to assist in the development of validation data sets, sensor calibration, atmospheric correction, and bio-optical and data merger algorithms. Since its inception, the SIMBIOS program has resulted in a broad-based international collaboration on the calibration and validation of a number of ocean color satellites.

McClain, Charles↗

Atmospheric Correction for Satellite Ocean Color Radiometry

This tutorial is an introduction to atmospheric correction in general and also documentation of the atmospheric correction algorithms currently implemented by the NASA Ocean Biology Processing Group (OBPG) for processing ocean color data from satellite-borne sensors such as MODIS and VIIRS. The intended audience is graduate students or others who are encountering this topic for the first time. The tutorial is in two parts. Part I discusses the generic atmospheric correction problem. The magnitude and nature of the problem are first illustrated with numerical results generated by a coupled ocean-atmosphere radiative transfer model. That code allow the various contributions (Rayleigh and aerosol path radiance, surface reflectance, water-leaving radiance, etc.) to the topof- the-atmosphere (TOA) radiance to be separated out. Particular attention is then paid to the definition, calculation, and interpretation of the so-called "exact normalized water-leaving radiance" and its equivalent reflectance. Part I ends with chapters on the calculation of direct and diffuse atmospheric transmittances, and on how vicarious calibration is performed. Part II then describes one by one the particular algorithms currently used by the OBPG to effect the various steps of the atmospheric correction process, viz. the corrections for absorption and scattering by gases and aerosols, Sun and sky reflectance by the sea surface and whitecaps, and finally corrections for sensor out-of-band response and polarization effects. One goal of the tutorial-guided by teaching needs- is to distill the results of dozens of papers published over several decades of research in atmospheric correction for ocean color remote sensing.

MODIS↗

Applications of remote sensing for water quality and biological measurements in coastal waters

Potential applications of remote sensing technology to the study of coastal marine environments are reviewed, emphasizing water quality and biological measurements. Parameters measurable by airborne or spaceborne remote sensors include particulates, measured by visual or multispectral photography, chlorophyll a, measured by the Ocean Color Scanner or Coastal Zone Color Scanner, temperature distributions, by IR or microwave sensors, and salinity, by means of microwave radiometers. Research projects in which wide area synoptic or repetitive remote sensing can make a major contribution include the study of estuarine and continental shelf sediment transport dynamics, marine pollutant transport, marine phytoplankton dynamics and ocean fronts.

Johnson, R. W.↗