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At least 73 records · Page 4

In-flight Absolute Radiometric Calibration of the Thematic Mapper

The Thematic Mapper (TM) multispectral scanner system was placed into Earth orbit on July 16, 1982, as part of NASA's LANDSAT 4 payload. To determine temporal changes of the absolute radiometric calibration of the entire system in flight, spectroradiometric measurements of the ground and the atmosphere are made simultaneously with TM image acquisitions over the White Sands, New Mexico area. By entering the measured values into an atmospheric radiative transfer program, the radiance levels at the entrance pupil of the TM in four of the TM spectral bands are determined. These levels are compared to the output digital counts from the detectors that sampled the radiometrically measured ground area, thus providing an absolute radiometric calibration of the entire TM system utilizing those detectors. By reference to an adjacent, larger uniform area, the calibration is extended to all 16 detectors in each of the three bands.

Castle, K. R.↗

In-flight absolute radiometric calibration of the thematic mapper

In order to determine temporal changes of the absolute radiometric calibration of the entire TM system in flight spectroradiometric measurements of the ground and the atmosphere were made simultaneously with TM image collections over the White Sands, New Mexico area. By entering the measured values in an atmospheric radiative transfer program, the radiance levels in four of the spectral bands of the TM were determined, band 1:0.45 to 0.52 micrometers, band 2:0.53 to 0.61 micrometers band 3:0.62 to 0.70 micrometers and 4:0.78 to 0.91 micrometers. These levels were compared to the output digital counts from the detectors that sampled the radiometrically measured ground area, thus providing an absolute radiometric calibration of the entire TM system utilizing those detectors.

Castle, K. R.↗

On-line determination of optimal flight paths for helicopters

A procedure for computing fuel optimal fixed range trajectories is developed for helicopters. The algorithm uses a simplified dynamic model and a climb-cruise-descent assumption which simplifies the variational problem to an algebraic minimization. Development of the performance model is discussed extensively and representative results for the S-61 and S-76 helicopters are presented. The results show that the model and optimization algorithm are small enough and simple enough to be incorporated into an on-line optimization algorithm.

Slater, G. L.↗

Study of an instrument for sensing errors in a telescope wavefront

Focal plane sensors for determining the error in a telescope wavefront were investigated. The construction of three candidate test instruments and their evaluation in terms of small wavefront error aberration measurements are described. A laboratory wavefront simulator was designed and fabricated to evaluate the test instruments. The laboratory wavefront error simulator was used to evaluate three tests; a Hartmann test, a polarization shearing interferometer test, and an interferometric Zernike test.

Golden, L. J.↗

Calibrated intercepts for solar radiometers used in remote sensor calibration

Calibrated solar radiometer intercepts allow spectral optical depths to be determined for days with intermittently clear skies. This is of particular importance on satellite sensor calibration days that are cloudy except at the time of image acquisition. This paper describes the calibration of four solar radiometers using the Langley-Bouguer technique for data collected on days with a clear, stable atmosphere. Intercepts are determined with an uncertainty of less than six percent, corresponding to a maximum uncertainty of 0.06 in optical depth. The spread of voltage intercepts calculated in this process is carried through three methods of radiometric calibration of satellite sensors to yield an uncertainty in radiance at the top of the atmosphere of less than one percent associated with the uncertainty in solar radiometer intercepts for a range of ground reflectances.

Gellman, David I.↗

In-flight absolute radiometric calibration of the Thematic Mapper

In order to determine temporal changes of the absolute radiometric calibration of the entire TM system in flight spectroradiometric measurements of the ground and the atmosphere were made simultaneously with TM image collections over the White Sands, NM area. By entering the measured values in an atmospheric radiative transfer program, the radiance levels in four of the spectral bands of the TM were determined, band 1: 0.45 to 0.52 micrometers, band 2: 0.53 to 0.61 micrometers, band 3: 0.62 to 0.70 micrometers, and 4: 0.78 to 0.91 micrometers. These levels were compared to the output digital counts from the detectors that sampled the radiometrically measured ground area, thus providing an absolute radiometric calibration of the entire TM system utilizing those detectors. Previously announced in STAR as N84-15633

Castle, K. R.↗

In-flight Absolute Radiometric Calibration of the Thematic Mapper

Ground spectral reflectance and atmospheric spectral optical depth measurements made at White Sands, New Mexico were used with an atmospheric radiative transfer program to determine the spectral radiance at the entrance pupil of the LANDSAT-4 TM. Comparison with the output digital counts of the TM, when imaging the measured ground area, provided an absolute calibration for five detectors in TM bands 2, 3, and 4. By reference to an adjacent, larger uniform area, the calibration was extended to all 16 detectors in each of three bands. Preflight calibration results agreed with these inflight measurements to 6.6%, 2.4%, and 12.9% in bands 2,3, and 4, respectively.

Palmer, J.↗

Results of calibrations of the NOAA-11 AVHRR made by reference to calibrated SPOT imagery at White Sands, N.M

The calibration method reported here makes use of the reflectances of several large, uniform areas determined from calibrated and atmospherically corrected SPOT Haute Resolution Visible (HRV) scenes of White Sands, New Mexico. These reflectances were used to predict the radiances in the first two channels of the NOAA-11 Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR). The digital counts in the AVHRR image corresponding to these known reflectance areas were determined by the use of two image registration techniques. The plots of digital counts versus pixel radiance provided the calibration gains and offsets for the AVHRR. A reduction in the gains of 4 and 13 percent in channels 1 and 2 respectively was found during the period 1988-11-19 to 1990-6-21. An error budget is presented for the method and is extended to the case of cross-calibrating sensors on the same orbital platform in the Earth Observing System (EOS) era.

Nianzeng, Che↗

Transforming ground-measured reflectances to radiances measured by various space sensors through clear and turbid atmospheres

The influence on the ratios of the ground measured reflectances in the range 0.8-1.1 microns to those in the range 0.6-0.7 microns of the intervening atmosphere and the sensor response are investigated over a typical range of remote sensing conditions. A simulation of the influences of clear and turbid atmospheres is developed, and their effects on Landsat MSS band 7 to band 5 ratios are determined for Avondale loam and stressed and unstressed vegetation. Results show that for dry loam the differences between the band 7 to band 5 ratios as determined from space and ground level measurements is 2.3% for clear and 5.6% for turbid atmospheric conditions, while for wet loams the differences are 10.4% and 29.5%. It is concluded that the effect of the atmosphere on band ratios for vegetation indicates that atmospheric conditions may delay the discrimination of stressed from unstressed vegetation by 3 to 7 days. The influence of the atmosphere is found to increase for oblique angle observations, and the path radiance and the change in path radiance are greater in the 0/180 degree azimuth than in the 90/270 azimuth.

Slater, P. N.↗

In-progress absolute radiometric inflight calibration of the LANDSAT-4 sensors

An approach is described for providing periodic inflight absolute radiometric calibrations of the LANDSAT-4 sensors by reference to selected, instrumented ground areas. Results of some early ground measurements and computer simulations are presented. Selection of a suitable ground reference site, accurate measurement of the spectral reflectance of the selected area, determination of atmospheric characteristics during the morning of the sensor overpass, reduction of the measured data and their use in an appropriate atmospheric radiative transfer program, and comparison of the radiance level data with the digital counts of for the images of the selected areas are discussed. Preliminary measurements of gypsum are being made as an aid in defining the characteristics of field equipment to be constructed and calibrated for use over the White Sands Missile Range.

Castle, K.↗

Semiempirical Theories of the Affinities of Negative Atomic Ions

The determination of the electron affinities of negative atomic ions by means of direct experimental investigation is limited. To supplement the meager experimental results, several semiempirical theories have been advanced. One commonly used technique involves extrapolating the electron affinities along the isoelectronic sequences, The most recent of these extrapolations Is studied by extending the method to Include one more member of the isoelectronic sequence, When the results show that this extension does not increase the accuracy of the calculations, several possible explanations for this situation are explored. A different approach to the problem is suggested by the regularities appearing in the electron affinities. Noting that the regular linear pattern that exists for the ionization potentials of the p electrons as a function of Z, repeats itself for different degrees of ionization q, the slopes and intercepts of these curves are extrapolated to the case of the negative Ion. The method is placed on a theoretical basis by calculating the Slater parameters as functions of q and n, the number of equivalent p-electrons. These functions are no more than quadratic in q and n. The electron affinities are calculated by extending the linear relations that exist for the neutral atoms and positive ions to the negative ions. The extrapolated. slopes are apparently correct, but the intercepts must be slightly altered to agree with experiment. For this purpose one or two experimental affinities (depending on the extrapolation method) are used in each of the two short periods. The two extrapolation methods used are: (A) an isoelectronic sequence extrapolation of the linear pattern as such; (B) the same extrapolation of a linearization of this pattern (configuration centers) combined with an extrapolation of the other terms of the ground configurations. The latter method Is preferable, since it requires only experimental point for each period. The results agree within experimental error with all data, except with the most recent value of C, which lies 10% lower.

Edie, John W.↗

Optimal short range trajectories for helicopters

An optimal flight path algorithm using a simplified altitude state model and an apriori climb-cruise-descent flight profile has been developed and applied to determine minimum fuel and minimum cost trajectories for a helicopter flying a fixed range trajectory. The performance model is based on standard flight manual data and is such that on-line trajectory optimization is feasible with a relatively small computer. The results show that the optimal flight path and optimal cruise altitude can represent a 10 percent fuel saving on a minimum fuel trajectory. The optimal trajectories show considerable variability due to helicopter weight, ambient winds and the relative cost trade-off between time and fuel. In general, 'reasonable' variations from the optimal velocities and cruise altitudes do not significantly degrade the optimal cost.

Slater, G. L.↗

Radiometric calibration of SPOT 2 HRV - A comparison of three methods

Three methods for determining an absolute radiometric calibration of a spacecraft optical sensor are compared. They are the well-known reflectance-based and radiance-based methods and a new method based on measurements of the ratio of diffuse-to-global irradiance at the ground. The latter will be described in detail and the comparison of the three approaches will be made with reference to the SPOT-2 HRV cameras for a field campaign 1990-06-19 through 1990-06-24 at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.

Biggar, Stuart F.↗

SeaWiFS calibration and algorithm validation

A substantial amount of field research has been completed during this period (1 October 1994 - 31 October 1995). The applicability of different in-flight calibration methods was studied. In addition, various field instruments and new equipment were tested to appraise their usefulness during such calibration activities. The purposes and (expected) results of these field experiments are detailed in separate sections of this report. One section contains a synopsis of calibrations conducted over both land and water targets. A second section contains the results of an experiment conducted to determine the spatial uniformity of surface reflectance at Lake Tahoe, the chosen water calibration site. Advances were also made in the area of radiative transfer software development. An existing exact radiative transfer code, Successive Orders (SO), was modified to provide outputs of the radiance distribution at arbitrary altitudes above a selected calibration target. These modifications were needed to utilize the SO software in radiance-based sensor calibrations. Serious thought was given to the general applicability of various calibration techniques to calibrations conducted over water surfaces. In particular, the practicality of the radiance-based and reflectance-based methods of in-flight radiometric calibration was evaluated.

Parada, Robert J., Jr.↗

Laboratory calibration of field reflectance panels

A method used for calibrating field reflectance panels in the visible and shortwave infrared wavelength range is described. The directional reflectance factor of painted barium sulfate (BaSO4) panels is determined. The reference for this method is the hemispherical reflectance of pressed polytetrafluoroethylene (halon) powder prepared according to National Bureau of Standards (NBS) directions. The panels and a radiometer are mounted on rotation stages to measure the reflectance factor at different incidence and view angles. The sensor can be any laboratory or field filter radiometer small enough to mount on the apparatus. The method is used to measure the reflectance factors of halon and BaSO4 panels between 0.45 and 0.85 micrometers. These reflectance factors are compared to those measured by a field apparatus. The results agree to within 0.013 in reflectance at incidence angles between 15 and 75 degrees.

Biggar, S. F.↗

Atmospheric effects on radiation reflected from soil and vegetation as measured by orbital sensors using various scanning directions

Ground-measured spectral reflectance data for Avondale loam and drought-stressed and unstressed wheat were converted into digital counts for spectral bands 5 and 7 of the Landsat Multispectral Scanner System (MSS). For dry loam, the differences between ratios of MSS bands 7-5 as determined from space and from ground level measurements were 2.3 percent for clear and 5.6 percent for turbid atmospheric conditions. By contrast, for wet loam the differences were 10.4 and 29.5 percent. It is found that atmospheric conditions may cause a delay of from 3 to 7 days in the discrimination between drought-stressed and unstressed wheat. For oblique angle observations the atmospheric modification of ground-measured reflectances increased with angle at a greater rate in the 0/180 deg azimuth than in the 90/270 deg azimuth. Implications of this result are discussed for oblique angle Systeme Probatoire d'Observation de la Terre (SPOT), Mapsat, future multispectral linear array system imagery, and wide-angle imagery collected from scanners in high-altitude aircraft.

Slater, P. N.↗

Laser shocking of 2024 and 7075 aluminum alloys

The effect of laser generated stress waves on the microstructure, hardness, strength and stress corrosion resistance of 2024 and 7075 aluminum alloys was investigated. Pulsed CO2 and neodymium-glass lasers were used to determine the effect of wavelength and pulse duration on pressure generation and material property changes. No changes in material properties were observed with CO2 laser. The strength and hardness of 2024-T351 and the strength of 7075-T73 aluminum alloys were substantially improved by the stress wave environments generated with the neodymium-glass laser. The mechanical properties of 2024-T851 and 7075-T651 were unchanged by the laser treatment. The correlation of the laser shock data with published results of flyer plate experiments demonstrated that a threshold pressure needed to be exceeded before strengthening and hardening could occur. Peak pressures generated by the pulsed laser source were less than 7.0 GPa which was below the threshold pressure required to change the mechanical properties of 2024-T851 and 7075-T651. Corrosion studies indicated that laser shocking increased the resistance to local attack in 2024-T351 and 7075-T651.

Clauer, A. H.↗

Vortex Generators in a Two-Dimensional, External-Compression Supersonic Inlet

Vortex generators within a two-dimensional, external-compression supersonic inlet for Mach 1.6 were investigated to determine their ability to increase total pressure recovery, reduce total pressure distortion, and improve the boundary layer. The vortex generators studied included vanes and ramps. The geometric factors of the vortex generators studied included height, length, spacing, and positions upstream and downstream of the inlet terminal shock. The flow through the inlet was simulated through the computational solution of the steady-state Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations on multi-block, structured grids. The vortex generators were simulated by either gridding the geometry of the vortex generators or modeling the vortices generated by the vortex generators. The inlet performance was characterized by the inlet total pressure recovery, total pressure distortion, and incompressible shape factor of the boundary-layer at the engine face. The results suggested that downstream vanes reduced the distortion and improved the boundary layer. The height of the vortex generators had the greatest effect of the geometric factors.

computational fluid dynamics↗