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At least 379 records · Page 21

Optical measurements on contaminated surfaces

A bidirectional reflectometer system was developed for in situ measurements of the changes in spectral reflectance of surfaces contaminated with films of organic materials. The system permits experiments with films of controlled thickness in an environment that simulates the thermal, radiation, and vacuum conditions of space. The mechanical and optical construction of the reflectometer are discussed in detail, and actual data curves are used to illustrate its operation and performance.

Bonham, T. E.↗

Further tests of plant canopy reflectance models and investigation of non-Lambertian properties of plant canopies

The experimental bidirectional reflectance of cotton is presented and compared to the Suits vegetation model. Some wheat reflectance data are presented for a Mexican dwarf wheat. The general results are that the exchange of source position and detector position gives the same reflectance measurement if the irradiance is purely specular. This agrees with Suites. The reflectance versus sun angle and reflectance versus detector angle do not agree with the Suits predictions. There is qualitative agreement between the Suits model and reflectance versus wavelength, but quantitative agreement has not been observed. Reflectance of a vegetation canopy with detector azimuth shows a change of 10 to 40% for even sun angles near zenith, so it seems advisable to include azimuthal angles into models of vegetation.

Lemaster, E. W.↗

Solar array drive system

A solar array drive system consisting of a solar array drive mechanism and the corresponding solar array drive electronics is being developed. The principal feature of the solar array drive mechanism is its bidirectional capability which enables its use in mechanical redundancy. The solar array drive system is of a widely applicable design. This configuration will be tested to determine its acceptability for generic mission sets. Foremost of the testing to be performed is the testing for extended duration.

Berkopec, F. D.↗

Angular distributions of electrons of energy greater than 0.06 MeV in the Jovian magnetosphere

Measurements of the angular distribution of electron intensity in the Jupiter magnetosphere were made by the University of Iowa experiment on Pioneer 10. The data were from three directional particle detectors with effective integral threshold of 0.06, 0.55 and 0.5 MeV respectively. It was discovered that the central core of the magnetosphere for radial distances less than 12 Jovian radii is dominated by pitch angle distributions strongly peaked at alpha = 90 degrees, while the region of radial distances 12-25 Jovian radii shows bidirectional and approximately equal maxima at alpha = 0 and 180 degrees. Substantial field-aligned streaming was detected on two occasions, each of about 1 hour duration. No distinctive effects on angular distributions were observed near the L shells of satellites.

Sentman, D. D.↗

Wheat signature modeling and analysis for improved training statistics: Supplement. Simulated LANDSAT wheat radiances and radiance components

Simulated scanner system data values generated in support of LACIE (Large Area Crop Inventory Experiment) research and development efforts are presented. Synthetic inband (LANDSAT) wheat radiances and radiance components were computed and are presented for various wheat canopy and atmospheric conditions and scanner view geometries. Values include: (1) inband bidirectional reflectances for seven stages of wheat crop growth; (2) inband atmospheric features; and (3) inband radiances corresponding to the various combinations of wheat canopy and atmospheric conditions. Analyses of these data values are presented in the main report.

Malila, W. A.↗

Evaluation of ERTS multispectral signatures in relation to ground control signatures using a nested-sampling approach

The author has identified the following significant results. Ground measured spectral signatures of wavelength bands matching ERTS MSS were collected using a radiometer at several Californian and Nevadan sites, and directly compared with similar data from ERTS CCTs. The comparison was tested at the highest possible spatial resolution for ERTS, using deconvoluted MSS data, and contrasted with that of ground measured spectra, originally from 1 meter squares. In the mobile traverses of the grassland sites, these one meter fields of view were integrated into eighty meter transects along the five km track across four major rock/soil types. Suitable software was developed to read the MSS CCT tapes, to shadeprint individual bands with user-determined greyscale stretching. Four new algorithms for unsupervised and supervised, normalized and unnormalized clustering were developed, into a program termed STANSORT. Parallel software allowed the field data to be calibrated, and by using concurrently continuously collected, upward- and downward-viewing, 4 band radiometers, bidirectional reflectances could be calculated.

Lyon, R. J. P.↗

Thematic mapper critical elements breadboard program

A 40.6 cm bidirectional scan mirror assembly, a scan line corrector and a silicon photodiode array with integral preamplifier input stages were designed, fabricated, and tested to demonstrate performance consistent with requirements of the Hughes thematic mapper system. The measured performance met or exceeded the original design goals in all cases with the qualification that well defined and well understood deficiencies in the design of the photodiode array package will require the prescribed corrections before flight use.

Dale, C. H., Jr.↗

Producibility aspects of advanced composites for an L-1011 Aileron

The design of advanced composite aileron suitable for long-term service on transport aircraft includes Kevlar 49 fabric skins on honeycomb sandwich covers, hybrid graphite/Kevlar 49 ribs and spars, and graphite/epoxy fittings. Weight and cost savings of 28 and 20 percent, respectively, are predicted by comparison with the production metallic aileron. The structural integrity of the design has been substantiated by analysis and static tests of subcomponents. The producibility considerations played a key role in the selection of design concepts with potential for low-cost production. Simplicity in fabrication is a major factor in achieving low cost using advanced tooling and manufacturing methods such as net molding to size, draping, forming broadgoods, and cocuring components. A broadgoods dispensing machine capable of handling unidirectional and bidirectional prepreg materials in widths ranging from 12 to 42 inches is used for rapid layup of component kits and covers. Existing large autoclaves, platen presses, and shop facilities are fully exploited.

Van Hamersveld, J.↗

Simulation of radiometer data from a spin stabilized satellite

The effect of misregistration on cloud brightness threshold is investigated by simulating radiometric data as observed from a spin stabilized synchronous satellite such as the SMS. Clouds were introduced randomly and a bidirectional reflectance model was used to create radiance data from clouds and ocean. A theoretical and an empirical reflectance model were compared.

Rangaswamy, S.↗

Altered rock spectra in the visible and near infrared

The author has identified the following significant results. Visible and near-infrared (0.35 to 2.5 micron m) bidirectional reflection spectra recorded for a suite of well-characterized hydrothermally altered rock samples typically display well defined bands caused by both electronic and vibrational processes in the individual mineral constituents. Electronic transitions in the iron-bearing constituent minerals produce diagnostic minima near 0.43, 0.65, 0.85, and 0.93 micron m. Vibrational transitions in clay and water-bearing mineral constituents produce characteristic single or multiple features over limited spectral ranges near 1.4, 1.75, 1.9, 2.2, and 2.35 micron m. The most abundant feature-producing minerals present in these rocks are hematite, goethite, and alunite. Others frequently present are jarosite, kaolinite, potassium micas, pyrophyllite, montmorillonite, diaspore, and gypsum. The spectral region near 2.2 micron m is particularly important for detecting altered rocks by remote sensing.

Hunt, G. R.↗

Applications of modeling to analysis and processing of Landsat data

The Suits bidirectional reflectance model (1972) for vegetation canopies was used to calculate reflectance values for the four Landsat spectral bands under a variety of canopy and observation conditions. Relationships between characteristics of developing wheat fields and associated reflectances were studied. Coincident measurements of crop reflectance and Landsat signals were compared using regression analysis techniques. The model was also applied to forest situations both to help establish the extent to which Landsat may provide direct information about conditions occurring beneath forest overstories and to help develop methods for reducing the effects of terrain slope and aspect in the processing of Landsat data. Finally, a relationship based on model calculations was used to adjust Landsat signal values and was found to reduce topography-related variability and improve subsequent classification performance.

Malila, W. A.↗

A new battery charger/discharger converter

A new optimum topology dc-to-dc switching converter is extended to provide bidirectional current flow. The resulting two-quadrant converter can be employed to eliminate the discontinuous current mode in normal unidirectional applications, but is especially suited for spacecraft battery conditioning as a charge-discharge regulator in place of the conventional separate converters. Implementation of the control features and the battery charge current and voltage limits are discussed.

Middlebrook, R. D.↗

Spectral evidence for sublimates and adsorbates on Io

The results of laboratory studies of sulfur adsorbates and sublimates are presented to explain the observed spectral reflectance of Io. The hemispherical and bidirectional spectral reflectances of typical sublimate phases of Na2S, NaHS, K2S and mixtures thereof with free sulfur were measured under varied temperature and particle-irradiation conditions. It is found that Na2S, K2S and NaHS have absorption bands at all the key wavelengths of Io's spectrum in the UV and visible ranges, and as a group can account for much of Io's spectral reflectance in the 0.25- to 5.0-micron range. It is also concluded that adsorbed gases, possibly H2S and SO2, believed to be formed by reactions in the sublimate phase, also contribute to the IR spectrum of Io's surface.

Nash, D. B.↗

A linear magnetic motor and generator

In linear magnetic motor and generator suitable for remote and hostile environments, magnetic forces drive reciprocating shaft along its axis. Actuator shaft is located in center of cylindrical body and may be supported by either contacting or noncontacting bearings. When device operates as bidirectional motor, drive coil selectively adds and subtracts magnetic flux to and from flux paths, producing forces that drive actuator along axis. When actuator is driven by external reciprocating engine, device becomes ac generator.

Studer, P. A.↗

On the Angular Variation of Solar Reflectance of Snow

Spectral and integrated solar reflectance of nonhomogeneous snowpacks were derived assuming surface reflection of direct radiation and subsurface multiple scattering. For surface reflection, a bidirectional reflectance distribution function derived for an isotropic Gaussian faceted surface was considered and for subsurface multiple scattering, an approximate solution of the radiative transfer equation was studied. Solar radiation incident on the snowpack was decomposed into direct and atmospherically scattered radiation. Spectral attenuation coefficients of ozone, carbon dioxide, water vapor, aerosol and molecular scattering were included in the calculation of incident solar radiation. Illustrative numerical results were given for a case of North American winter atmospheric conditions. The calculated dependence of spectrally integrated directional reflectance (or albedo) on solar elevation was in qualitative agreement with available observations.

Chang, A. T. C.↗

Bi-directional four quadrant (BDQ4) power converter development

The feasibility for implementation of a concept for direct ac/dc multikilowatt power conversion with bidirectional transfer of energy was investigated. A 10 kHz current carrier was derived directly from a common 60 Hz three phase power system. This carrier was modulated to remove the 360 Hz ripple, inherent in the three phase power supply and then demodulated and processed by a high frequency filter. The resulting dc power was then supplied to a load. The process was implemented without the use of low frequency transformers and filters. This power conversion processes was reversible and can operate in the four quadrants as viewed from any of the two of the converter's ports. Areas of application include: power systems on air and spacecraft; terrestrial traction; integration of solar and wind powered systems with utility networks; HVDC; asynchronous coupling of polyphase networks; heat treatment; industrial machine drives; and power supplies for any use including instrumentation.

Schwarz, F. C.↗

Analysis and calculation of macrosegregation in a casting ingot. MPS solidification model. Volume 3: Operating manual

The operation of solidification model 1 is described. Model 1 calculates the macrosegregation in a rectangular ingot of a binary alloy as a result of horizontal axisymmetric bidirectional solidification. The calculation is restricted to steady-state solidification; there is no variation in final local average composition in the direction of isotherm movement. The physics of the model are given.

Maples, A. L.↗

Space optics; Proceedings of the Seminar, Huntsville, Ala., May 22-24, 1979

The seminar focused on infrared systems, the space telescope, new design for space astronomy, future earth resources systems, and planetary systems. Papers were presented on infrared astronomy satellite, infrared telescope on Spacelab 2, design alternatives for the Shuttle Infrared Telescope Facility, Spacelab 2 infrared telescope cryogenic system, geometrical theory of diffraction and telescope stray-light analysis, Space Telescope scientific instruments, faint-object spectrograph for the Space Telescope, light scattering from multilayer optics, bidirectional reflectance distribution function measurements of stray light suppression coatings for the Space Telescope, optical fabrication of a 60-in. mirror, interferogram analysis for space optics, nuclear-pumped lasers for space application, geophysical fluid flow experiment, coherent rays for optical astronomy in space, optical system with fiber-optical elements, and Pioneer-Venus solar flux radiometer.

Wyman, C. L.↗