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At least 577 records · Page 32

RF antenna-pattern visual aids for field use

Series of plots must be made of antenna pattern on polar-coordinate sheet depicting vertical planes. Separate sheets are plotted depicting antenna patterns in vertical plane at azimuth positions. After all polar plots are drawn, they are labeled according to their azimuthal positions. Transparencies are then stiffened with regular wire, cardboard, or molded plastic.

Williams, J. H.↗

Fine guidance for a spaceborne telescope

Two transparent plates are mounted at equal and opposite angles in secondary optical-system housing, angles being set for optimum astigmatism correction. Rotation of secondary housing assembly and translation of detector are proportional to angular position of secondary image. Combined movement of two retains image within sagittal foci of secondary system.

Rosin, S.↗

Inventory of forest and rangeland and detection of forest stress

There are no author-identified significant results in this report. Some ERTS-1 imagery has been received for each of the test sites: Black Hills, Atlanta, and Manitou. Only small portions of each site are covered and clouds have precluded capturing good imagery over the center of each site. Discoloration infestations of ponderosa pine are being located and sized on CIR transparencies. A computer program was completed from microdensitometer scans of CIR photos which maps areas of an image which are spectrally similar. Decided differences between forest types are present as well as differences between forest and other vegetative and nonvegetative land classes.

Heller, R. C.↗

Nuclear light bulb propellant heating simulation using a tungsten/argon aerosol and radiation from a dc arc surrounded by a segmented mirror cavity

Experiments were conducted to simulate radiant heating of the propellant stream of a nuclear light bulb engine to obtain high bulk exit temperatures in the flowing simulated propellant stream by absorption of large fractions of the incident thermal radiation. A high-power, vortex-stabilized dc arc within an uncooled fused silica tube was used as the radiant energy source. It was surrounded by a mirror system to increase the radiation incident on the simulated propellant. The 12.7-cm-long by 2.3-cm-wide, diverging-duct test section had a transparent front wall and a reflecting rear wall. The central stream of seeded gas, a tungsten-particle/argon aerosol, had unseeded argon buffer layers on both sides to prevent coating of the duct walls. Arc operating times were approximately 0.5 sec with power levels up to 780 kW. Bulk exit temperatures were measured using a calorimeter downstream of the duct. The maximum simulated propellant bulk exit temperature obtained was 4515 K, compared with 3860 K in previous tests, 3300 to 3700 K expected in in-reactor tests in the Nuclear Furnace, and 6660 K in the reference nuclear light bulb engine. The maximum temperature in these tests was limited primarily by the amount of radiation incident on the test section (determined by the arc operating characteristics and the effectiveness of the mirror cavity).

Klein, J. F.↗

Investigation of gaseous nuclear rocket technology

The experimental and theoretical investigations conducted during the period from September 1969 through September 1972 are reported which were directed toward obtaining information necessary to determine the feasibility of the full-scale nuclear light bulb engine, and of small-scale nuclear tests involving fissioning uranium plasmas in a unit cell installed in a driver reactor, such as the Nuclear Furnace. Emphasis was placed on development of RF simulations of conditions expected in nuclear tests in the Nuclear Furnace. The work included investigations of the following: (1) the fluid mechanics and containment characteristics of one-component and two-component vortex flows, both unheated and RF-induction heated; (2) heating of particle-seeded streams by thermal radiation from a dc arc to simulate propellant heating; (3) condensation and separation phenomena for metal-vapor/heated-gas mixtures to provide information for conceptual designs of components of fuel exhaust and recycle systems; (4) the characteristics of the radiant energy spectrum emitted from the fuel region, with emphasis on definition of fuel and buffer-gas region seed systems to reduce the ultraviolet radiation emitted from the nuclear fuel; and (5) the effects of nuclear radiation on the optical transmission characteristics of transparent materials.

Kendall, J. S.↗

Measurements of the UV and VUV transmission of optical materials during high energy electron irradiation

An experimental program was conducted in which the optical transmission of several transparent materials was measured during high energy electron irradiation. These experiments were conducted using the Dynamitron electron accelerator as a continuous source of 1.5 MeV electrons and the LINAC electron accelerator as a pulsed source of 5-7 MeV electrons. The experimental program consisted of three major portions. The first portion, the optical transmission of fused silica, BeO, MgF2, and LiF was measured at vacuum ultraviolet wavelengths in the range 1550-2000 A during ambient temperature, 1.5 MeV electron irradiation at ionizing dose rates to 0.5 Mrad/sec. In the second portion of the program, the optical transmission of fused silica and BeO was measured in the range 2000-3000 A during high dose rate, elevated temperature 1.5 MeV electron irradiation. In particular, accurate measurements of the optical transmission were made at ionizing dose rates as high as 10 Mrad/sec. In the final portion of the program, the optical transmission of fused silica and BeO was measured in the wavelength range 2000-3000 A during pulsed 5 and 7 MeV electron irradiation from the LINAC accelerator. The maximum time averaged ionizing dose rate was limited to 0.75 Mrad/sec due to accelerator limitations.

Palma, G. E.↗

Identification of phenological stages and vegetative types for land use classification

The author has identified the following significant results. Two procedures for examining ERTS-1 imagery were investigated in cooperation with the photographic services section. Positive, 10X enlargements were produced of spectral bands 4, 6, and 7, for a portion of photo 1033-21020. Adequate detail remained to recognize physical features such as streams, glaciers, ice, and snow. Also the entire image was studied using transparencies produced by the 3M color-key process. A combination of three complementary color combinations produced visually recognizable shades apparently indicating vegetation differences. Also lakes and glacial streams of sufficient size, ice and snow, and drainage patterns can be recognized. A need is indicated for oblique low level color aerial photography in the vicinity of identifiable terrain features to assist in the positive location of vegetative communities appearing in the analysis process. In the primary areas of concern to this project identifiable manmade features are conspicuous by their absence. In image 1049-20505 band 7 produced distinct tonal differences on a mountain slope to river bottom gradient.

Branton, C. I.↗

Facilitating the exploitation of ERTS imagery using snow enhancement techniques

The author has identified the following significant results. EarthSat has established an effective mail-based method for obtaining timely ground truth (snow depth) information over an extensive area. The method is both efficient and inexpensive compared with the cost of a similarly scaled direct field checking effort. Additional geological information has been acquired which is not shown in geological maps in the area. Excellent quality snow-free ERTS-1 transparencies of the test areas have been received and are being analyzed.

Wobber, F. J.↗

Comparative evaluation of ERTS-A imagery for resource inventory in land use planning

There are no author-identified significant results in this report. Evaluation has begun on ERTS-1 imagery of Crook County for use in landform interpretation and geologic mapping and interpretation. Outside of Crook County the geology team has been impressed by the display of fault patterns in southeastern Oregon and has begun preliminary analyses of these. Using the color combiner a complete timber type map of (1) all the forest land within Crook County, and (2) all the Ochoco National Forest has been completed. The timber types consist of five density classes which are correlated with different species compositions as the first step in the multistage forest inventory. Using the ERTS magnetic tape data the computer center has produced a 12 by 25 mile strip printout of bands 5, 6, and 7. The computer printouts are to be analyzed for different timber types and possible insect damage. Other results are: (1) limited number of clearcuts in eastern Oregon and in Cascades evident; (2) positive transparencies of band 5 appear to be too dark for maximum information of forested areas; and (3) much more information in the computer printouts of bands 6 and 7, than 5, when analyzing forest conditions.

Simonson, G. H.↗

Evaluate ERTS imagery for mapping and detection of changes of snowcover on land and on glaciers

The author has identified the following significant results. The area of snow cover on land was determined from ERTS-1 imagery. Snow cover in specific drainage basins was measured with the Stanford Research Institute console by electronically superimposing basin outlines on imagery, with video density slicing to measure areas. Snow covered area and snowline altitudes were also determined by enlarging ERTS-1 imagery 1:250,000 and using a transparent map overlay. Under very favorable conditions, snowline altitude was determined to an accuracy of about 60 m. Ability to map snow cover or to determine snowline altitude depends primarily on cloud cover and vegetation and secondarily on slope, terrain roughness, sun angle, radiometric fidelity, and amount of spectral information available. Glacier accumulation area ratios were determined from ERTS-1 imagery. Also, subtle flow structures, undetected on aerial photographs, were visible. Surging glaciers were identified, and the changes resulting from the surge of a large glacier were measured as were changes in tidal glacier termini.

Meier, M. F.↗

Predict ephemeral and perennial range quantity and quality during normal grazing season

There are no author-identified significant results in this report. Analysis of imagery made during the second and third 2-month periods has yielded little usable information for the following reasons. Imagery taken of the deserts in Arizona and California and semi-arid southeastern Oregon has been of poor quality. Because of high reflectance of light from barren desert soils, imagery is over-exposed and positive transparencies are washed out. Imagery was also taken when plants were dormant so that differences in vegetation growth and development as exhibited by changes in tone of color infrared are nonexistent.

Bentley, G.↗

Interdisciplinary applications and interpretations of ERTS data within the Susquehanna River Basin; resources inventory, land use and pollution

The author has identified the following significant results. Identification and mapping of three major kinds of coal refuse targets based on spectral signatures in channels four through seven of the ERTS-1 MSS were conducted. Correlation of the placement of the coal refuse targets with an existing map of their location was accomplished. Digital processing of ERTS-1 data permitted identification of stripped areas including ones that are not discernible by visual analysis of ERTS imagery. Combined visual and digital techniques of analyzing ERTS-1 data for geologic formations have been tried on selected areas of Pennsylvania. Mapping of two major agriculture counties to show land forms, drainage patterns, water, and urban areas were made using positive transparencies of MSS data. Two frames of the same central Pennsylvania area were brought into registration by translation and then merged even though the frames were obtained 71 days apart.

Mcmurtry, G. J.↗

Mapping northern Atlantic coastal marshlands, Maryland-Virginia, using ERTS imagery

The author has identified the following significant results. ERTS-1 data provides repetitive synoptic coverage for DC 00000 of wetland ecology, detection of change, and mapping or inventory of wetland boundaries and plant communities. ERTS-1 positive transparencies of Atlantic Coastal wetlands were enlarged to different scales and mapped using a variety of methods. Results of analysis indicate: (1) mapping of wetland boundaries and vegetative communities from imagery at a scale of 1:1,000,000 is impractical because small details are difficult to illustrate; (2) mapping to a scale of 1:250,000 is practical for defining land-water interface, upper wetland boundary, gross vegetative communities, and spoil disposal/dredge and fill operations; (3) 1:125,000 enlargements provide additional information on transition zones, smaller plant communities, and drainage or mosquito ditching. Overlays may be made directly from prints.

Anderson, R. R.↗

Fourier plane filters

An electrically addressed liquid crystal Fourier plane filter capable of real time optical image processing is described. The filter consists of two parts: a wedge filter having forty 9 deg segments and a ring filter having twenty concentric rings in a one inch diameter active area. Transmission of the filter in the off (transparent) state exceeds fifty percent. By using polarizing optics, contrast as high as 10,000:1 can be achieved at voltages compatible with FET switching technology. A phenomenological model for the dynamic scattering is presented for this special case. The filter is designed to be operated from a computer and is addressed by a seven bit binary word which includes an on or off command and selects any one of the twenty rings or twenty wedge pairs. The overall system uses addressable latches so that once an element is in a specified state, it will remain there until a change of state command is received. The drive for the liquid crystal filter is ? 30 V peak at 30 Hz to 70 Hz. These parameters give a rise time for the scattering of 20 msec and a decay time of 80 to 100 msec.

Oliver, D. S.↗

Utilizing ERTS-A imagery for tectonic analysis through study of the Bighorn Mountains Region

The author has identified the following significant results. Preliminary vegetation analysis has been undertaken on MSS scene 1085-17294, Oct. 16, 1973 in the Bighorn region. Forest Service maps showing detailed distribution of dominant forest types have been compared with MSS bands 5 and 7 positive transparencies, enlarged positive prints, and color imagery produced on an Addcol viewer. Patterns on the ERTS imagery match those on the Forest Service maps quite well. A tectonic map ovearlay of MSS band 7 of the Bighorn region reveals a strong concentration of linears in the uplift as compared to basins. Folds in the Bighorn Basin are visible where not covered by post-Paleocene deposits. In regions where far less is known of the geology than in this area, it might be possible to predict the subsurface occurrence of folds and lineaments on the basis of imagery analysis and more confidently explore covered areas for concealed oil structures and mineral deposits.

Hoppin, R. A.↗

Investigation to develop a multistage forest sampling inventory system using ERTS-1 imagery

The author has identified the following significant results. Two strips of U-2 RC-10 images were analytically triangulated and adjusted. Control points and pass points were marked on glass plates made from B&W copy negatives of IR color transparencies. A wild PUG-3 and TA1/p monocomparator were used to mark and measure the points on the glass plates. Each plate was measured twice in the same orientation for a check on accuracy and operator error. The 22 photographs were adjusted to 41 ground control and tie points and the block adjustment was performed in a secant plane coordinate system to eliminate the effect of earth curvature. Standard deviations of the residuals of the control and tie points were 12.8 m, 10.8 m, and 4.5 m for the X, Y, and Z coordinates respectively. The 12.8 m and 10.8 m figures correspond to an identification accuracy of 0.1 mm on the U-2 RC-10 plates. The standard deviations of the residuals encountered in the ERTS-1 resectioning were: (1) 0.16 mm assuming uncorrected perspective geometry and (2) 0.12 mm when the polynomial adjustment was added in. These results indicate a reduction of 0.11 in the square error due to the polynomial adjustment.

Langley, P. G.↗

Identification of phenological stages and vegetative types for land use classification

The author has identified the following significant results. Multispectral reflectance signatures have been obtained from computer printouts from scene 1049-20505. Those signatures have been grouped for 13 dominant physical features in the Matanuska Susitna Valley area of Alaska. The derived signatures will be validated and tested by requesting another symbol-coded computer printout for the same area. It is expected that ERTS-1 imagery collected during late autumn and early spring will provide separations of signatures that are confounded in the 1049-20505 scene. Separating bogs and forests should be much improved when either snow covered or when grasses are brown. Photographs have been made of projections on the color additive viewer, each scene being projected with six different filter combinations. The products will be analyzed and those best suited used for producing color transparencies at a scale of 1:250,000 for overlaying on standard quadrangle maps. Color prints will be processed for use in the field. From digital MSS signatures derived to date, identification has been made of which bands are the most powerful for automated classification of dominant physical features. It has been found that separations among density ranges increase with longer wavelengths. Deriving MSS digital signatures has proven valuable to both digital and visual processing of ERTS-1 data.

Branton, C. I.↗

Use of satellite imagery for wildland resource evaluation in the Great Basin

The author has identified the following significant results. Color composites and diazachrome transparencies of ERTS-1 imagery have greatly increased interpretation capabilities. Vegetation green-up and flooding due to late summer precipitation has been identified on such imagery. MSS imagery in all bands has not proven as valuable for similar determinations. Snow cover has been found to be valuable in the identification of fire scars, pinyon/juniper chainings, and subtle ecotones not previously identified with any other type of imagery. It is felt that a greater understanding of the effects of snow cover on vegetation remote sensing will enable investigators to extend capabilities relating to the mapping and identification of these resources. Highly reflective phreatophytic vegetation has been mapped and quantified using the MSS 5 and 7 bands and diazachrome color composites. Approximately 10 man-hours were required to complete the entire state. Native meadow and hay meadow vegetation has been mapped in Elko County, Nevada, using ERTS-1 imagery. Future plans include a statewide inventory of this resource.

Tueller, P. T.↗