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At least 739 records · Page 41
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1979

Aerial photographic water color variations from the James River

Photographic flights from 305 meters altitude were made throughout the day of May 17, 1977, over seven water data stations in the James River. The flights resulted in wide-angle, broadband, spectral radiance film exposure data between the wavelengths of 500 to 900 nanometers for sun elevation angles ranging from 37 to 64 deg and variable atmospheric haze conditions. It is shown from densitometer data that: (1) the dominant observed color from James River waters is determined by the optical properties of the total suspended solid load, (2) variability in observed color is produced by a changing solar elevation angle; and (3) the rate at which observed color changes is influenced by both solar elevation angle and atmospheric conditions.

Bressette, W. E.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Cropping management using color and color infrared aerial photographs

The Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) is a widely accepted tool for erosion prediction and conservation planning. Solving this equation yields the long-term average annual soil loss that can be expected from rill and inter-rill erosion. In this study, manual interpretation of color and color infrared 70 mm photography at the scale of 1:60,000 is used to determine the cropping management factor in the USLE. Accurate information was collected about plowing practices and crop residue cover (unharvested vegetation) for the winter season on agricultural land in Pheasant Branch Creek watershed in Dane County, Wisconsin.

Morgan, K. M.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Data and analysis procedures for improved aerial applications mission performance

An analysis procedure is given and cases analyzed for the effects of wing geometry on lateral transport of a variety of agricultural particles released in the wake of an agricultural airplane. The cases analyzed simulate the release of particles from a fuselage centerline-mounted dry material spreader; however, the procedure applies to particles released anywhere along the wing span. Consideration is given to the effects of taper ratio, aspect ratio, wing loading, and deflected flaps. It is noted that significant lateral transport of large particles can be achieved using high-lift devices positioned to create a strong vortex near the location of particle release.

Holmes, B. J.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Monitoring of deltaic wetland processes with seasonal aerial photography

A year-long study of four river deltas, using color infrared photography at three-month intervals, showed clearly the impact of damming the lower river or channelizing its outlet on the wetland environment. An important result of the season's photography was the dramatic appearance of the detrital material being flushed out of the deltaic wetlands by flood waters, and moved down into the lower estuaries for use by the marine organisms in the lower tropical levels. The species makeup and relative vigor of the deltaic plant communities were well recognizable on the imagery, as was the flushing mechanism in one still viable delta marsh.

Benton, A. R., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Study of guidance techniques for aerial application of agricultural compounds

Candidate systems were identified for evaluation of suitability in meeting specified accuracy requirements for a swath guidance system in an agriculture aircraft. Further examination reduced the list of potential candidates to a single category, i.e., transponder type systems, for detailed evaluation. Within this category three systems were found which met the basic accuracy requirements of the work statement. The Flying Flagman, the Electronic Flagging and the Raydist Director System. In addition to evaluating the systems against the specified requirements, each system was compared with the other two systems on a relative basis. The conclusions supported by the analyses show the Flying Flagman system to be the most suitable system currently available to meet the requirements.

Caldwell, J. D.↗
NASA NTRS1981

The development of methods for predicting and measuring distribution patterns of aerial sprays

A set of relationships used to scale small sized dispersion studies to full size results are experimentally verified and, with some qualifications, basic deposition patterns are presented. In the process of validating these scaling laws, the basic experimental techniques used in conducting such studies both with and without an operational propeller were developed. The procedures that evolved are outlined in some detail. The envelope of test conditions that can be accommodated in the Langley Vortex Research Facility, which were developed theoretically, are verified using a series of vortex trajectory experiments that help to define the limitations due to wall interference effects for models of different sizes.

Ormsbee, A. I.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Predicting aerially applied particle deposition by computer

This paper is a status report on a NASA effort to develop a computer code capable of simulating the deposition of materials in the wake of fixed or rotary wing aircraft operating under realistic atmospheric conditions. The deposition code 'Ag Disp' is novel in that the mean particle trajectory, as well as the variance from the mean resulting from fluid fluctuations are simultaneously predicted. Sample calculations are undertaken to demonstrate the versatility of this code.

Bilanin, A. J.↗
NASA NTRS1982

NASA aerial applications wake interaction research

A computer code has been developed for predicting trajectories of particles released in the wakes of airplanes or helicopters. The code accounts for effects of turbulence, crosswind, propeller slipstream, terrain variations, and plant canopy density on particle trajectories. Comparisons are given between experiments and theory. Applications of the code for spray pattern improvement are illustrated.

Morris, D. J.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Land use inventory of Salt Lake County, Utah from color infrared aerial photography 1982

The preparation of land use maps of Salt Lake County, Utah from high altitude color infrared photography is described. The primary purpose of the maps is to aid in the assessment of the effects of urban development on the agricultural land base and water resources. The first stage of map production was to determine the categories of land use/land cover and the mapping unit detail. The highest level of interpretive detail was given to the land use categories found in the agricultural or urbanized portions of the county; these areas are of primary interest with regard to the consumptive use of water from surface streams and wells. A slightly lower level of mapping detail was given to wetland environments; areas to which water is not purposely diverted by man but which have a high consumptive rate of water use. Photos were interpreted on the basis of color, tone, texture, and pattern, together with features of the topographic, hydrologic, and ecological context.

Price, K. P.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Interpreting Michigan forest cover types from color infrared aerial photographs

The characteristics of 17 cover types (13 forest types or tree species and 4 nonforest cover types) in Michigan are discussed as well as their interpretation from medium scale color infrared photography. The occurrence of each type is described by region and site requirements. Those attributes of a tree or stand which are helpful when attempting to interpret the type from a vertical perspective are discussed as well as common crown types. The identification of the forest type or tree species by using image characteristics (size, shape, shadow, color, texture, pattern, or association) is discussed. Ground photographs and sketches of individual trees are included. Stereograms of typical stands are available.

Hudson, W. D.↗
NASA NTRS1981

A numerical simulation of the dispersal of aerial sprays

A computer program was developed to predict the trajectory, ground deposition, and drift of liquid sprays injected into the wake of an agricultural aircraft in ground effect. The program uses a horseshoe vortex wake model and includes the effects of liquid droplet evaporation, crosswind, the propeller slipstream, ground effect, and tunnel walls on small scale models. This user's guide includes several case examples demonstrating user options. A complete listing of the FORTRAN program is provided.

Bragg, M. B.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Aerial laser sensing of ocean upper layer

Applications of laser sensing of the ocean, such as deep bathymetry; determination of the luminescence spectrum of phytoplankton as a sensitive indicator of changes in the external physical parameters of the studied region; monitoring the state of underwater pipelines; conducting search and rescue missions; monitoring pollution; biological observations of the state of algae; searching for schools of fish, etc., are discussed. The Chayka apparatus for laser sensing is discussed. A block diagram is given which is used in describing functioning of this unit. Particular attention is given to the time structure of an echo signal appearing when sensing the upper ocean layer by a short laser pulse propagating through the wave-covered surface.

Vlasov, D. V.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Regulation of nitrogen uptake and assimilation: Effects of nitrogen source, root-zone pH, and aerial CO2 concentration on growth and productivity of soybeans

An important feature of controlled-environment crop production systems such as those to be used for life support of crews during space exploration is the efficient utilization of nitrogen supplies. Making decisions about the best sources of these supplies requires research into the relationship between nitrogen source and the physiological processes which regulate vegetative and reproductive plant growth. Work done in four areas within this research objective is reported: (1) experiments on the effects of root-zone pH on preferential utilization of NO3(-) versus NH4(+) nitrogen; (2) investigation of processes at the whole-plant level that regulate nitrogen uptake; (3) studies of the effects of atmospheric CO2 and NO3(-) supply on the growth of soybeans; and (4) examination of the role of NO3(-) uptake in enhancement of root respiration.

Raper, C. D.↗