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At least 451 records · Page 25
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NASA NTRS1977

Earth-satellite path attenuation statistics influenced by orientation of rain cells

It is examined whether there may be preferred azimuths for earth-satellite paths along which fading and space diversity statistics are influenced differently than along other azimuths. Such preferred directions may exist if individual rain cells are statistically elongated along them for the given climatological region. The analysis is performed using the rain reflectivity data base obtained at Wallops Island during June, July and August 1973 using a high resolution radar. It is found that in the vicinity of Wallops Island increased attenuation and poorer diversity gains exist along paths whose azimuths and base lines lie in the NE-SW quadrants as compared to the NW-SE sectors. This result suggests the dominance of the major axis of rain cells in these quadrants.

Goldhirsh, J.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Global color variations on the Martian surface

Spectral reflectance data from the Viking-II Orbiter vidicon cameras have provided a means of mapping and classifying Martian surface materials over about 65% of the planet. The imagery, acquired at three wavelengths, was processed to remove an average Martian photometric function; albedo maps at the three wavelengths were created. Analysis of the imagery showed that the dark region between the equator and about 30 deg S in the Martian highlands consists of ancient ridges, crater rims and rugged plateaus which are very red, and younger intercrater volcanic plains exhibiting mare ridges which are much less red. In addition probable eolian deposits were found in the intermediate and high albedo regions.

Soderblom, L. A.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Asteroid surface materials - Mineralogical characterizations and cosmological implications

The theoretical basis for the interpretation of diagnostic spectral features is examined and previous characterizations of asteroid surface materials are considered. A summary is provided of results reported by Gaffey and McCord (1977) who have utilized the most sophisticated interpretive techniques available to interpret the spectral reflectance data of about 65 asteroids for mineralogic and petrologic information. Cosmological implications related to the study of asteroid surface materials are also considered, taking into account source bodies for the meteorites, postaccretionary thermal history, significant factors of asteroid thermal history, and the Apollo and Amor asteroids. It is found that the asteroids exhibit surface materials made up of assemblages of meteoritic minerals. The relative abundance of meteorite types reaching the earth's surface is very different from the population of mineralogic types on asteroid surfaces. The earth-crossing or -approaching asteroids apparently derive from a restricted source region or population which is very strongly depleted in the C2-like assemblages that dominate the belt as a whole.

Gaffey, M. J.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Geology of the Luna 24 landing site

The Soviet spacecraft Luna 24 landed at the southeast edge of Mare Crisium on the moon on August 18, 1976. A 160 cm core with a diameter of 8 mm was drilled, extracted, and returned to earth by the spacecraft. A description is presented of the geologic setting at the Luna 24 landing site to provide background information for the study of Luna 24 samples. Interpretations of spectral reflectance data suggest that the Luna 24 landing area is similar in TiO2 content to Oceanus Procellarum. Mare Crisium fills the interior of a circular multiringed impact structure in the eastern hemisphere of the moon. Stratigraphic units within Mare Crisium consist of mare materials and postmare deposits. Aspects of local stratigraphy are discussed, taking into account ray material and mare material. In the vicinity of the Luna 24 landing site, the terrain may be divided into four areas on the basis of topography.

Butler, P., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Asteroid surface materials - Mineralogical characterizations from reflectance spectra

The use of general and specific diagnostic spectral features and parameters to interpret most of the published high-quality reflectance spectra of asteroids is discussed. Such diagnostics are shown to provide the most complete and sophisticated mineralogically and petrologically based interpretation of the asteroid surface materials. Previous investigations of asteroid surface materials are exhaustively reviewed, emphasizing the general approaches employed, sources of information, previous characterizations of asteroid surface materials, and asteroid spectral groups. The interpretive methodology is then applied to spectral reflectance data for many individual members of the various spectral groups. A range of mineral assemblages similar to certain meteorite classes is identified, and evidence is presented for a selective high-temperature event that melted certain asteroid parent bodies and permitted their differentiation as some function of distance from the sun or the protosun and of the size of the protoasteroid. Possible candidates are proposed for the source bodies of different meteorite groups.

Gaffey, M. J.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Satellite Power Systems (SPS) concept definition study. Volume 2: SPS system requirements

Collected data reflected the level of definition resulting from the evaluation of a broad spectrum of SPS (satellite power systems) concepts. As the various concepts matured, these requirements were updated to reflect the requirements identified for the projected satellite system/subsystem point design(s). The study established several candidate concepts which were presented to provide a basis for the selection of one or two approaches that would be given a more comprehensive examination. The two selected concepts were expanded and constitute the selected system point designs. The identified system/subsystem requirements was emphasized and information on the selected point design was provided.

Hanley, G.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Satellite Power Systems (SPS) concept definition study, exhibit C. Volume 7: System/subsystem requirements data book

Volume 7 of the Satellite Power Systems (SPS) Concept Definition Study final report summarizes the basic requirements used as a guide to systems analysis and is a basis for the selection of candidate SPS point design(s). Initially, these collected data reflected the level of definition resulting from the evaluation of a broad spectrum of SPS concepts. As the various concepts matured these requirements were updated to reflect the requirements identified for the projected satellite system/subsystem point design(s). The identified subsystem/systems requirements are defined, and where appropriate, recommendations for alternate approaches which may represent improved design features are presented. A more detailed discussion of the selected point design(s) will be found in Volume 2 of this report.

Hanley, G. M.↗
NASA NTRS1978

A comparison of satellite sensor bands for vegetation monitoring

The first four Landsat-D thematic mapper sensor bands were evaluated and compared to the RBV and MSS sensors from Landsats-1, -2, and -3; Colvocoresses' proposed 'operational Landsat' three-band system; and the French SPOT three-band system by using simulation/integration techniques and in situ collected spectral reflectance data. Sensors were evaluated with regard to their ability to discriminate vegetation biomass, chlorophyll concentration, and leaf water content. The thematic mapper and SPOT bands were found to be superior in a spectral resolution context to the other three sensor systems for vegetational applications. Significant improvements are expected for most vegetational analyses from Landsat-D thematic mapper and SPOT imagery over MSS and RBV imagery.

Tucker, C. J.↗
NASA NTRS1978

A comparison of contour maps derived from independent methods of measuring lunar magnetic fields

Computer-generated contour maps of strong lunar remanent magnetic fields are presented and discussed. The maps, obtained by previously described (Eliason and Soderblom, 1977) techniques, are derived from a variety of direct and indirect measurements from Apollo 15 and 16 and Explorer 35 magnetometer and electron reflection data. A common display format is used to facilitate comparison of the maps over regions of overlapping coverage. Most large scale features of either weak or strong magnetic field regions are found to correlate fairly well on all the maps considered.

Lichtenstein, B. R.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Assessment of atmospheric height uncertainties for high precision satellite altimeter missions to monitor ocean currents

The influence of the atmosphere on nadir directed signal associated with satellite altimeters are examined. Frequencies at 6, 13.5, and 35 GHz are selected so as to provide a parameter study. Uncertainties are summarized in both existing and proposed techniques which establish ionospheric and tropospheric height corrections. The error summary thus gives values describing the best you can do in height resolution (as dictated by atmospheric parameters) for a satellite borne altimeter system. The results presented reflect data gleaned from the literature, at large, as well as from the existing body of published literature associated with the Seasat A Altimeter Experiment. Specifically considered are: (1) the effects of precipitation on altimeter signals, (2) range errors due to refractive index variations in both the clear atmosphere (convective and nonconvective) and clouds, and (3) range errors introduced by the ionosphere. A preliminary analysis is pursued establishing the feasibility of incorporating rain rate range gates in a future satellite-borne altimeter system.

Goldhirsh, J.↗
NASA NTRS1979

The distribution of titanium on the lunar surface

Titanium concentrations derived from the lunar-orbiting gamma-ray experiment on Apollo 15 and 16 by analyzing a spectral interval in which the titanium signal is relatively enhanced are presented. Landing site soil values provide the reference for a regression curve from which Ti concentrations in 137 regions of adequate counting statistics are calculated. Mare Tranquillitatis contains the highest, and Mare Crisium the lowest Ti concentration, and regional values in the western maria range from 1.1% to 4.1%. Highland Ti concentrations suggest a north-south symmetry which is not consistent with previously reported Fe and Th results. Comparisons with telescopic spectral reflectance studies of the maria do not show complete agreement and suggest that effects due to Fe may not have been fully removed from the reflectance data.

Metzger, A. E.↗
NASA NTRS1980

A seasonal verification of the Suits spectral reflectance model for wheat

Variables that characterize wheat canopies for the Suits Model and spectral bidirectional reflectance measurements in the 450 to 1350 nm interval were determined approximately weekly throughout the growing season for two cultivars of wheat that achieved maximum leaf area index of 5.3 and 10.8. The Suits Model plant variables were tabulated and experimental reflectance measurements were compared with the model predictions in the wavelength interval from 500 to 1150 nm at 50 nm increments for 17 measurement dates. The seasonal average coefficient of determination, r squared, was 0.88 between the Suits spectral bidirectional reflectance model and field-measured reflectance data. Poorest agreement was found very early and very late in the growing season, possibly due to low green plant biomass and incomplete ground cover.

Lemaster, E. W.↗
NASA NTRS1978

A comparison between the first four thematic mapper reflective bands and other satellite sensor systems for vegetational monitoring

The first four Landsat-D thematic mapper sensors were evaluated and compared to the RBV and MSS sensors from Landsats-1, 2, and 3, Colvocoresses' proposed 'operational Landsat' three band system, and the French SPOT three band system using simulation/integration techniques and in situ collected spectral reflectance data. Sensors were evaluated by their ability to discriminate vegetation biomass, chlorophyll concentration, and leaf water content. The thematic mapper and SPOT bands were superior in a spectral resolution context to the other three sensor systems for vegetational applications. Significant improvements are expected for vegetational analyses from Landsat-D thematic mapper and SPOT imagery over MSS and RBV imagery.

Tucker, C. J.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Satellite Power Systems (SPS) concept definition study (Exhibit D). Volume 7: System/subsystems requirements databook

This volume summarizes the basic requirements used as a guide to systems analysis, and is a basis for the selection of candidate Satellite Power Systems (SPS) point designs. Initially, these collected data reflected the level of definition resulting from the evaluation of a broad spectrum of SPS concepts. As the various concepts matured, these requirements were updated to reflect the requirements identified for the projected satellite system/subsystem point designs. Included is an updated version of earlier Rockwell concepts using klystrons as the specific microwave power amplification approach, as well as a more in-depth definition, analysis and preliminary point design on two concepts based on the use of advanced solid state technology to accomplish the task of high power amplification of the 2.45 GHz transmitted power beam to the Earth receiver. Finally, a preliminary definition of a concept using magnetrons as the microwave power amplifiers is presented.

Hanley, G. M.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Relationships between diffuse reflectance and vegetation canopy variables based on the radiative transfer theory

Out of the lengthy original expression of the diffuse reflectance formula, simple working equations were derived by employing characteristic parameters, which are independent of the canopy coverage and identifiable by field observations. The typical asymptotic nature of reflectance data that is usually observed in biomass studies was clearly explained. The usefulness of the simplified equations was demonstrated by the exceptionally close fit of the theoretical curves to two separately acquired data sets for alfalfa and shortgrass prairie canopies.

Park, J. K.↗
NASA NTRS1980

The surface composition of Amalthea

It is proposed that charged particles from the Jovian magnetosphere, contaminants such as sulfur from Io, and high-velocity micrometeoritic matter, combine to darken, redden, and alter the surface of Amalthea revealed by Voyager; whose few isolated bright spots have a distinct greenish spectrum. A major finding of this analysis is that available spectral reflectance data contain little information about the bulk composition of the satellite. The effects of contamination by sulfur and its allotropes are shown to redden a variety of bulk compositions: carbonaceous material, refractory minerals, iron and iron sulfides, and moderate temperature silicates. The bright, greenish spots probably identify locations in which atypical alteration processes occur, such as variations in the amount of contaminant sulfur in micrometeoritic glasses or in the relative abundances of certain sulfur allotropes.

Gradie, J.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Use of thermal-inertia properties for material identification

It is noted that a knowledge of the thermal inertia of the earth's surface can be used in geologic mapping as a complement to surface reflectance data as provided by Landsat. Thermal inertia, which is a body property, cannot be determined directly but can be inferred from radiation temperature measurements made at various times in the diurnal heating cycle, combined with a model of the surface heating processes. A model of this type is developed and applied along with temperature measurements made in the field and by satellite to determine thermal properties of surface materials. An example from a test site in western Nevada is used to demonstrate the utility of this technique.

Schieldge, J. P.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Investigation of multispectral remote sensing of snow cover using a solar radiation model

A solar radiation model is described which is able to calculate, for given atmospheric and topographic input conditions, the spectral distributions of the direct and diffuse components of the total irradiance incident upon a target surface. The irradiance includes both upwelling radiation backscattered toward the earth's surface and radiation reflected toward the target from other terrain surfaces. Spectral reflectance data for two dissimilar snow types are fed into the model, along with a geometric description of the topography of the snow covered terrain. These data permit the calculation of the exitance of the target over the wavelength limits of a given sensor and, hence, the apparent contrast between the two snow types for the given input conditions. The results show that the contrast between the two snow types, all other factors being constant, is greatest in the near infrared wavelengths.

Waterman, S. E.↗