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At least 721 records · Page 40

Intercomparison of satellite ozone profile measurements

Ozone profile data are intercompared with those from the LIMS and SBUV flown on Nimbus 7, SAGE flown on Atmospheric Explorer Mission 2, and the Ultraviolet and Infrared Spectrometers flown on the SME. Ozone data were derived from the measurements with independently derived processing algorithms. The data cover different time periods and have different spatial and temporal resolutions. The similarities and differences between the individual data sets are determined with effort focused on directly comparing the spacecraft data sets in the form of individual profiles, zonal mean profiles and global analyses. Comparisons with ground data from balloons and Umkehr stations are made.

Fleig, A. J.↗

Temperature, Pressure, and Infrared Image Survey of an Axisymmetric Heated Exhaust Plume

The focus of this research is to numerically predict an infrared image of a jet engine exhaust plume, given field variables such as temperature, pressure, and exhaust plume constituents as a function of spatial position within the plume, and to compare this predicted image directly with measured data. This work is motivated by the need to validate computational fluid dynamic (CFD) codes through infrared imaging. The technique of reducing the three-dimensional field variable domain to a two-dimensional infrared image invokes the use of an inverse Monte Carlo ray trace algorithm and an infrared band model for exhaust gases. This report describes an experiment in which the above-mentioned field variables were carefully measured. Results from this experiment, namely tables of measured temperature and pressure data, as well as measured infrared images, are given. The inverse Monte Carlo ray trace technique is described. Finally, experimentally obtained infrared images are directly compared to infrared images predicted from the measured field variables.

Nelson, Edward L.↗

Influence of Primary Gage Sensitivities on the Convergence of Balance Load Iterations

The connection between the convergence of wind tunnel balance load iterations and the existence of the primary gage sensitivities of a balance is discussed. First, basic elements of two load iteration equations that the iterative method uses in combination with results of a calibration data analysis for the prediction of balance loads are reviewed. Then, the connection between the primary gage sensitivities, the load format, the gage output format, and the convergence characteristics of the load iteration equation choices is investigated. A new criterion is also introduced that may be used to objectively determine if the primary gage sensitivity of a balance gage exists. Then, it is shown that both load iteration equations will converge as long as a suitable regression model is used for the analysis of the balance calibration data, the combined influence of non linear terms of the regression model is very small, and the primary gage sensitivities of all balance gages exist. The last requirement is fulfilled, e.g., if force balance calibration data is analyzed in force balance format. Finally, it is demonstrated that only one of the two load iteration equation choices, i.e., the iteration equation used by the primary load iteration method, converges if one or more primary gage sensitivities are missing. This situation may occur, e.g., if force balance calibration data is analyzed in direct read format using the original gage outputs. Data from the calibration of a six component force balance is used to illustrate the connection between the convergence of the load iteration equation choices and the existence of the primary gage sensitivities.

Ulbrich, Norbert Manfred↗

Modeling Longitudinal Data Containing Non-Normal Within Subject Errors

The mission of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) human research program is to advance safe human spaceflight. This involves conducting experiments, collecting data, and analyzing data. The data are longitudinal and result from a relatively few number of subjects; typically 10 – 20. A longitudinal study refers to an investigation where participant outcomes and possibly treatments are collected at multiple follow-up times. Standard statistical designs such as mean regression with random effects and mixed–effects regression are inadequate for such data because the population is typically not approximately normally distributed. Hence, more advanced data analysis methods are necessary. This research focuses on four such methods for longitudinal data analysis: the recently proposed linear quantile mixed models (lqmm) by Geraci and Bottai (2013), quantile regression, multilevel mixed–effects linear regression, and robust regression. This research also provides computational algorithms for longitudinal data that scientists can directly use for human spaceflight and other longitudinal data applications, then presents statistical evidence that verifies which method is best for specific situations. This advances the study of longitudinal data in a broad range of applications including applications in the sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.

Feiveson, Alan↗

Proto-Examples of Data Access and Visualization Components of a Potential Cloud-Based GEOSS-AI System

Once a research or application problem has been identified, one logical next step is to search for available relevant data products. Thus, an early component of a potential GEOSS-AI system, in the continuum between observations and end point research, applications, and decision making, would be one that enables transparent data discovery and access by users. Such a component might be effected via the systems data agents. Presumably, some kind of data cataloging has already been implemented, e.g., in the GEOSS Common Infrastructure (GCI). Both the agents and cataloging could also leverage existing resources external to the system. The system would have some means to accept and integrate user-contributed agents. The need or desirability for some data format internal to the system should be evaluated. Another early component would be one that facilitates browsing visualization of the data, as well as some basic analyses.Three ongoing projects at the NASA Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC) provide possible proto-examples of potential data access and visualization components of a cloud-based GEOSS-AI system. 1. Reorganizing data archived as time-step arrays to point-time series (data rods), as well as leveraging the NASA Simple Subset Wizard (SSW), to significantly increase the number of data products available, at multiple NASA data centers, for production as on-the-fly (virtual) data rods. SSWs data discovery is based on OpenSearch. Both pre-generated and virtual data rods are accessible via Web services. 2. Developing Web Feature Services to publish the metadata, and expose the locations, of pre-generated and virtual data rods in the GEOSS Portal and enable direct access of the data via Web services. SSW is also leveraged to increase the availability of both NASA and non-NASA data.3.Federating NASA Giovanni (Geospatial Interactive Online Visualization and Analysis Interface), for multi-sensor data exploration, that would allow each cooperating data center, currently the NASA Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAACs), to configure its own Giovanni deployment, while also allowing all the deployments to incorporate each others data. A federated Giovanni comprises Giovanni Virtual Machines, which can be run on local servers or in the cloud.

access↗

NASA EOSDIS 20 Years of Data Usage and User Assessment in Support of Open Science Initiative

NASA EOS Data and Information System (EOSDIS) has been distributing data to world-wide users free with open access. Since the launch of NASA’s Terra satellite in 1999, more than 10,000 distinct EOS data products have been archived and distributed by NASA-funded Earth Science data centers encompassed by the EOSDIS. As of September 30, 2022, more than 90 PB of data archived by EOSDIS have been made available to public users and during FY 2023 over 60 PB have been distributed to public users worldwide. Over these twenty and more years, it has shown significant increase in the distribution of various data products. This has been possible due to free and open access of the data thereby a step towards open science initiative. The purposes of this study are 1) to perform a comprehensive investigation of the archive and distribution patterns of EOSDIS data products for last 20 years, 2) to identify and characterize the global user community for those data, 3) analyze the increased demand for data products, 4) evaluate distribution of higher level products because those are the ones most frequently used in the studies of natural disasters by public users (those data requestors not involved directly in the production or validation of the data products.) and contribute globally to the advance scientific understanding of the Earth-Atmosphere Systems. Funded by the Earth Science Data and Information System (ESDIS) Project, the ESDIS Metrics System (EMS) collects archive, distribution, and user information from EOSDIS data centers. The information (comprising all data products including heritage datasets going back to the 1990s) is stored in a relational database from which it can be analyzed in many ways. We present several metrics analyses that include data distribution patterns for all, as well as the most frequently requested data products; and user characterizations by country, domain, and Earth Science discipline (e.g., Land, Ocean, Cryosphere) of the requested products. Due to the enormous quantity of data handled by EOSDIS data centers and requirements of future data systems to archive increasing amounts of Earth Science data from future and current Earth Science missions effectively, the results of this study can provide insight on how the user communities have accessed the data and provide guidance for open science initiative.

Lalit Wanchoo↗

SeaWiFS technical report series. Volume 31: Stray light in the SeaWiFS radiometer

Some of the measurements from the Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS) will not be useful as ocean measurements. For the ocean data set, there are procedures in place to mask the SeaWiFS measurements of clouds and ice. Land measurements will also be masked using a geographic technique based on each measurment's latitude and longitude. Each of these masks involves a source of light much brighter than the ocean. Because of stray light in the SeaWiFS radiometer, light from these bright sources can contaminate ocean measurements located a variable number of pixels away from a bright source. In this document, the sources of stray light in the sensor are examined, and a method is developed for masking measurements near bright targets for stray light effects. In addition, a procedure is proposed for reducing the effects of stray light in the flight data from SeaWiFS. This correction can also reduce the number of pixels masked for stray light. Without these corrections, local area scenes must be masked 10 pixels before and after bright targets in the along-scan direction. The addition of these corrections reduces the along-scan masks to four pixels before and after bright sources. In the along-track direction, the flight data are not corrected, and are masked two pixels before and after. Laboratory measurements have shown that stray light within the instrument changes in a direct ratio to the intensity of the bright source. The measurements have also shown that none of the bands show peculiarities in their stray light response. In other words, the instrument's response is uniform from band to band. The along-scan correction is based on each band's response to a 1 pixel wide bright sources. Since these results are based solely on preflight laboratory measurements, their successful implementation requires compliance with two additional criteria. First, since SeaWiFS has a large data volume, the correction and masking procedures must be such that they can be converted into computationally fast algorithms. Second, they must be shown to operate properly on flight data. The laboratory results, and the corrections and masking procedures that derive from them, should be considered as zeroeth order estimates of the effects that will be found on orbit.

Hooker, Stanford B.↗

LANDSAT data preprocessing

The effect on LANDSAT data of a Sun angle correction, an intersatellite LANDSAT-2 and LANDSAT-3 data range adjustment, and the atmospheric correction algorithm was evaluated. Fourteen 1978 crop year LACIE sites were used as the site data set. The preprocessing techniques were applied to multispectral scanner channel data and transformed data were plotted and used to analyze the effectiveness of the preprocessing techniques. Ratio transformations effectively reduce the need for preprocessing techniques to be applied directly to the data. Subtractive transformations are more sensitive to Sun angle and atmospheric corrections than ratios. Preprocessing techniques, other than those applied at the Goddard Space Flight Center, should only be applied as an option of the user. While performed on LANDSAT data the study results are also applicable to meteorological satellite data.

Austin, W. W.↗

The transient gamma-ray spectrometer

The authors describe the Transient Gamma-Ray Spectrometer (TGRS) to be flown onboard the WIND spacecraft. This instrument is designed to detect cosmic gamma-ray bursts over the energy range of 20 keV to 10 MeV with an expected spectroscopic resolution of 2 keV at 1 MeV (E/Delta-E = 500). The active detection element is a 215-cu cm high-purity n-type Ge crystal cooled to cryogenic temperatures by a passive radiative cooler. The geometric field of view (FOV) defined by the cooler is 170 deg FWFM. Burst data are stored directly in an onboard 2.75-Mb burst memory with an absolute timing accuracy of +/-1.5 ms. This capacity is sufficient to store the entire spectral data set of all but the largest bursts. In addition to burst measurements, the instrument will also study solar flares, search for possible diffuse background lines, and monitor the 511-keV positron annihilation radiation from the galactic center. The experiment is scheduled to be launched on a Delta II launch vehicle from Cape Canaveral on December 31, 1992.

Owens, A.↗

Wind-Driven Angular Dependence of Sea-Surface Reflectance Measured with an Airborne Doppler Lidar

The effects of wind-stress on the optical properties of the ocean surface have been studied for several decades. In particular, the classic study by Cox and Munk (1954) linking sea-surface wind field to wave slope statistics provides a phenomenology by which the sea-surface wind velocity can be estimated from direct measurement of the wave-modulated surface reflectance. A limited number of studies along these lines have been conducted using airborne or spaceborne lidar systems. In these instances, truthing was provided by in situ ship reports or satellite microwave remote sensing instruments (e.g., ERS scatterometer, SSM/I). During the second deployment of the MACAWS Doppler wind lidar in the summer of 1996 measurements of sea-surface reflectance as a function of azimuth- and nadir-viewing angles were acquired off the California coast. MACAWS data products include directly measured winds, as well as calibrated backscatter/reflectance profiles, thus enabling comparison of the winds inferred from sea-surface reflectance measurements with those deriving from the Doppler-processed direct line-of-sight (LOS) estimates. Additional validation data was extracted from the ERS and SSM/I satellite microwave sensor archives maintained by the JPL Physical Oceanography Distributed Active Archive Center (PO- DAAC).

Tratt, David M.↗

Transitioning a Flexible and Scalable Satellite Ground Station Observation Network (GSON) Framework to an Operational Environment

Obtaining accurate and timely satellite observations is of paramount importance in fields like disaster management, weather diagnoses/forecasting, and Earth Sciences remote sensing. Stored mission data (SMD), from low Earth orbiting (LEO) satellite sensors, provides important observations for these fields and applications, however data access to SMD can be delayed from one and half hours to three hours from the time the observations were made. This data latency poses a significant impact on data product optimal use. We developed a Ground Station Observation Network (GSON) that utilizes commercial ground station as a service (GSaaS) providers to acquire low latency direct broadcast (DB) data from AQUA, SNPP, and JPSS-1 satellites using antennas located in strategic locations around the world. We will discuss techniques to improve the deployment efficiency and code reliability and quality of the GSON framework. Topics include right-sizing and containerization of the code to facilitate integration and adaptation with continuous delivery (CD) pipeline, locating non-code assets in referenceable repositories separated from code, adaptation of pipelines as code and simplification of CD, intersecting with code quality tests and checks as part of the pipeline execution and deployment, and establishing distributed repositories, registries, and system identities in a way that mitigates compromise to the CD pipeline. These techniques enable deployment of processing systems that are both highly specific but also dynamically modifiable. This new class of system allows for a flexible and scalable deployment while avoiding the “black box” issues that can plague large system deployments.

cluster↗

Cargo systems manual: Heat Pipe Performance (HPP) STS-66

The purpose of the cargo systems manual (CSM) is to provide a payload reference document for payload and shuttle flight operations personnel during shuttle mission planning, training, and flight operations. It includes orbiter-to-payload interface information and payload system information (including operationally pertinent payload safety data) that is directly applicable to the Mission Operations Directorate (MOD) role in the payload mission. The primary objectives of the heat pipe performance (HPP) are to obtain quantitative data on the thermal performance of heat pipes in a microgravity environment. This information will increase understanding of the behavior of heat pipes in space and be useful for application to design improvements in heat pipes and associated systems. The purpose of HPP-2 is to establish a complete one-g and zero-g data base for axial groove heat pipes. This data will be used to update and correlate data generated from a heat pipe design computer program called Grooved Analysis Program (GAP). The HPP-2 objectives are to: determine heat transport capacity and conductance for open/closed grooved heat pipes and different Freon volumes (nominal, under, and overcharged) using a uniform heat load; determine heat transport capacity and conductance for single/multiple evaporators using asymmetric heat loads; obtain precise static, spin, and rewicking data points for undercharged pipes; investigate heat flux limits (asymmetric heat loads); and determine effects of positive body force on thermal performance.

Napp, Robert↗

ERBE bidirectional model consistency check

A short analysis is presented of Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) errors inherent in the directional models used for data interpretation. The models were all developed on the basis of experience with the Nimbus-7 ERB experiment, which had a spatial resolution one-third that of ERBE instrumentation. A pseudo-directional model is defined to simulate the ERBE scanner data, using the assumptions that the average radiant exitance for any particular scene is independent of the viewing geometry, geographic location and time the data is collected. The directionality of the view angle and solar zenith angle is accounted for by a method of bins.

Baldwin, D. G.↗

Design, development, and field demonstration of a remotely deployable water quality monitoring system

A prototype water quality monitoring system is described which offers almost continuous in situ monitoring. The two-man portable system features: (1) a microprocessor controlled central processing unit which allows preprogrammed sampling schedules and reprogramming in situ; (2) a subsurface unit for multiple depth capability and security from vandalism; (3) an acoustic data link for communications between the subsurface unit and the surface control unit; (4) eight water quality parameter sensors; (5) a nonvolatile magnetic bubble memory which prevents data loss in the event of power interruption; (6) a rechargeable power supply sufficient for 2 weeks of unattended operation; (7) a water sampler which can collect samples for laboratory analysis; (8) data output in direct engineering units on printed tape or through a computer compatible link; (9) internal electronic calibration eliminating external sensor adjustment; and (10) acoustic location and recovery systems. Data obtained in Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron are tabulated.

Wallace, J. W.↗

Global backscatter assessment

The focus of this effort is the development of a global-scale model of aerosol backscatter for laser atmospheric wind sounder (LAWS) design and performance studies. Background parameters are derived from aerosol data sets with global-scale spatial and/or temporal coverage, using objective statistical decomposition and/or a priori stratification based on supplementary data. Backscatter coefficients at the LAWS design wavelength are derived from background aerosol physical, chemical, and optical data, or from direct backscatter measurements at other wavelengths, using background conversion factors. Direct measurements of aerosol backscatter at 10.6 microns from the Royal Signals and Radar Establishment (RSRE) and the Wave Propagation Laboratory (WPL) were selected. The RSRE backscatter data processing code were optimized under low backscatter conditions, performed detailed analyses of collocated intercomparisons between the two lidars, and assisted in the analysis of the long-term backscatter climatologies from the two lidars. Timely presentation of global backscattering experiment (GLOBE) research results to the global geophysical community is required.

Bowdle, David A.↗

The Goddard Chemistry Aerosol Radiation and Transport Model

The Goddard Chemistry Aerosol Radiation and Transport (GOCART) model is one of the fourteen global models participating in the International AEROCOM activity. The Oslo workshop is the 4th AEROCOM workshop. In this workshop, we are going to show updated model results of global aerosol extinction and absorption, vertical profiles, and direct and indirect effects. We will also discuss with other participants on model similarities and discrepancies, issues related to comparisons with in-situ and remote sensing data, and future directions.

Chin, Mian↗

Global Lidar Measurements of Clouds and Aerosols from Space Using the Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS)

The Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS) is scheduled for launch on the ICESat satellite as part of the NASA EOS mission in 2002. GLAS will be used to perform high resolution surface altimetry and will also provide a continuously operating atmospheric lidar to profile clouds, aerosols, and the planetary boundary layer with horizontal and vertical resolution of 175 and 76.8 m, respectively. GLAS is the first active satellite atmospheric profiler to provide global coverage. Data products include direct measurements of the heights of aerosol and cloud layers, and the optical depth of transmissive layers. In this poster we provide an overview of the GLAS atmospheric data products, present a simulated GLAS data set, and show results from the simulated data set using the GLAS data processing algorithm. Optical results from the ER-2 Cloud Physics Lidar (CPL), which uses many of the same processing algorithms as GLAS, show algorithm performance with real atmospheric conditions during the Southern African Regional Science Initiative (SAFARI 2000).

Hlavka, Dennis L.↗

Micrometeoroid Events in LISA Pathfinder

The zodiacal dust complex, a population of dust and small particles that pervades the solar system, provides important insight into the formation and dynamics of planets, comets, asteroids, and other bodies. We present a new set of data obtained from direct measurements of momentum transfer to a spacecraft from individual particle impacts. This technique is made possible by the extreme precision of the instruments flown on the LISA Pathfinder spacecraft, a technology demonstrator for a future space-based gravitational wave observatory. Pathfinder employed a technique known as drag-free control that achieved rejection of external disturbances, including particle impacts, using a micropropulsion system. Using a simple model of the impacts and knowledge of the control system, we show that it is possible to detect impacts and measure properties such as the transferred momentum, direction of travel, and location of impact on the spacecraft. In this paper, we present the results of a systematic search for impacts during 4348 hr of Pathfinder data. We report a total of 54 candidates with transferred momenta ranging from 0.2 to 230 μNs. We furthermore make a comparison of these candidates with models of micrometeoroid populations in the inner solar system, including those resulting from Jupiter-family comets (JFCs), Oort Cloud comets, Halley-type comets, and asteroids. We find that our measured population is consistent with a population dominated by JFCs, with some evidence for a smaller contribution from Halley-type comets, in agreement with consensus models of the zodiacal dust complex in the momentum range sampled by LISA Pathfinder.

Thorpe, J. I.↗