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At least 793 records · Page 44

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NASA NTRS1982

Geometric registration and rectification of spaceborne SAR imagery

This paper describes the development of automated location and geometric rectification techniques for digitally processed synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery. A software package has been developed that is capable of determining the absolute location of an image pixel to within 60 m using only the spacecraft ephemeris data and the characteristics of the SAR data collection and processing system. Based on this location capability algorithms have been developed that geometrically rectify the imagery, register it to a common coordinate system and mosaic multiple frames to form extended digital SAR maps. These algorithms have been optimized using parallel processing techniques to minimize the operating time. Test results are given using Seasat SAR data.

Curlander, J. C.↗

NASA NTRS1984

The geology of Thaumasia-northeast quadrant

The northeastern section of Thaumasia is located in the heavily cratered southern highlands of Mars between 30 S and 47.5 S and 67.5 W and 90 W. To the northwest lies the Tharis bulge and to the southeast is the Argyre Basin. Previous mapping in Thaumasia included a geologic map of the entire guadrangel by McGill (1978) at a 1:5,000,000 scale and a map of lava flows in the northwest quadrant by Scott and Tanaka (1981). Most investigations concentrated west of 90 W long. in conjunction with the Tharis volcanics. This investigation was designed to examine the overall geology of this section of Thaumasia. After distinguishing various geomorphical units, a geologic map was made at a scale of 1:2,000,000. Lastly, a general sequence of events was developed for the area. Mapping was done from individual low, medium, and high resolution images from the Viking missions, as well as using a 1:2,000,000 scale photo mosaic of the northeast quadrant of Thaumasia. Amount of cratering and faulting, superposition, differences in morphology, and albedo were used to separate out geomorphologically distinct units.

Tuesink, M. F.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Imaging data

The primary, planetary imaging data base includes all images obtained in visible wavelengths by imaging camera systems aboard planetary spacecraft. (Excluded, due to the volume and complexity of the data, are images taken from Lunar or Earth orbital spacecraft). These estimated 145,000 individual images exist on 12,400 magnetic tapes in a digital format primarily as Experiment Data Records (EDRs); and most are accompanied by the Supplementary Experiment Data Records (SEDRs), which render the EDRs useful. Hardcopy pictures and negatives, the designated archive products for imaging experiments, along with color products and mosaics are maintained at the National space Science Data Center (NSSDC). Also included in the discussion of imaging data are two-dimensional data produced by spacecraft instruments other than optical sensors which may be considered images in a broad sense. Examples of these instruments are imaging radar systems, scanning infrared radiometers, and photopolarimeters.

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NASA NTRS1984

Lightning mapper development: Status and requirements

The feasibility for the detection and location of lightning on a continuous basis using a sensor in geostationary orbit was established. Measurements of the optical characteristics of lightning and the capabilities of solid state mosaic focal plane arrays, indicate that the question is how high a detection efficiency can be achieved. The lightning mapper development to strengthen the scientific justification for placing a lightning sensor in geostationary orbit is discussed. The U-2 and ground based lightning research, modeling, and theoretical studies are reported.

Christian, H. J.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Calibration of an aerogel counter of index 1.1 at the Bevalac

The counter, which is exposed to sea level muons and to a beam of relativistic Mn-55, is 6 cm thick and approximmately 60 cm in diameter; it is viewed by twelve 12.7-cm-diameter photomultipliers. It comprises a mosaic with 48 aerogel pieces whose refractive indices are approximately 1.1. It is pointed out that a relativistic muon produces typically 23 + or - 4 photo-electrons. The light yield, which is mapped as a function of position, has an r.m.s. variation of less than 1 percent per cm. An analysis of the light yield suggests that absorption is important at short wavelengths. The calibration reveals that the light yield and uniformity of the counter are sufficient to determine particle velocity in the gamma range from 2.4 to 3.1.

Rasmussen, I. L.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Image processing in remote sensing data analysis - The state of the art

Image analysis techniques applicable to remote sensing data and covering image models, feature detection, segmentation and classification, texture analysis, and matching are studied. Model types for characterizing images examined include random-field, mosaic, and facet models. Edge and corner detection as well as global extraction of linear features are discussed. Pixel clustering and classification are covered in addition to the regional approach to segmentation. Autocorrelation, second-order gray level probability density, and the use of primitive element statistics are discussed in relation to texture analysis. Finally, reducing the cost of (sub)imaging matching methods (e.g., pixelwise comparison of gray levels and normalized cross-correlation between two images) as well as improving match sharpness is considered.

Rosenfeld, A.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Advanced multispectral remote sensing technology and applications; Proceedings of the Conference, Arlington, VA, May 6, 7, 1982

Sensor system concepts are discussed, taking into account a multispectral linear array instrument design, an improved earth resources sensing instrument, design tradeoffs for a multispectral linear array instrument, imaging spectrometer technologies for advanced earth remote sensing, and the design concept for an optimized earth radiation budget sensor. Topics related to supporting optics and signal processing methodologies are explored, giving attention to two mirror objective design for multispectral remote sensing, the measurement of optical modulation functions in sparsely sampled mosaic focal plane arrays, multispectral linear array focal plane signal processing, signal processing for the NASA multispectral linear array, the concept for a multiple resolution pushbroom sensor, and the evolution of the octal radiometer. Techniques and applications for multispectral data are considered along with aspects of focal plane technology.

Ando, K. J.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Design concept for an optimized earth radiation budget sensor

The Earth Radiation Budget Program has the objective to measure and model the terrestrial radiation budget and obtain a better understanding of the climate and its changes. A multisensor, multisatellite system with high and midinclination orbits will be needed for implementing this program. Various approaches for conducting sensing operations have been evaluated. The present investigation considers a method of sampling with a unique multidirectional array mosaic sensor to fulfill the requirements of earth radiation budget measurements. Previous and present generation earth radiation budget (ERB) satellite instruments are discussed, and attention is given to instrument design tradeoffs and the baseline instrument concept.

Carman, S. L.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Quaternions for Galileo scan platform control

The application of quaternions for the articulation control of the Galileo scan platform is presented in this paper. The purpose of selecting quaternions is to minimize onboard computation time and program size. Attention has been focused on performing inertial pointing while the spacecraft is in a dual spin configuration. Target quaternion and relative target quaternion are introduced and used to specify the target position of the scan platform for point-to-point absolute slews and mosaic relative slews, respectively. The pointing error of the platform is represented by an error quaternion which is converted into gimbal angular errors defining the attitude change. For path control, a moving target quaternion is generated; the corresponding tracking error quaternion and the related spacecraft motion compensation capability are also addressed. A sample slew case is used to demonstrate the implementation of these concepts.

Breckenridge, W. G.↗

NASA NTRS1984

LANDSAT 4 investigation of Thematic Mapper and Multispectral Scanner applications

A comparison of methods for selecting optimum TM band combinations for visual interpretation of data are examined. Two statistical methods and visual interpretation by experienced photointerpreters are compared using photographic chips of 1:250,000 scale prints and the digital equivalent of the chips. A mosaic of TM data of the Great Salt Lake area of Utah was done. The filtering process was reviewed since the results were not satisfactory.

Lauer, D. T.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Innovative research in the design and operation of large telescopes for space: Aspects of giant telescopes in space

The capability and understanding of how to finish the reflector surfaces needed for large space telescopes is discussed. The technology for making very light glass substrates for mirrors is described. Other areas of development are in wide field imaging design for very fast primaries, in data analysis and retrieval methods for astronomical images, and in methods for making large area closely packed mosaics of solid state array detectors.

Angel, J. R. P.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Dust devils on Mars

Large columns of dust have been discovered rising above plains on Mars. The storms are probably analogous to terrestrial dust devils, but their size indicates that they are more similar to tornadoes in intensity. They occur at locations where the soil has been strongly warmed by the Sun, and there the surface is smooth and fine grained. These are the same conditions that favor dust devils on Earth. Warm gas from the lowest atmospheric layer converges and rises in a thin column, with intense swirl developing at the edge of the column. In one area a mosaic of Viking images shows 97 vortices in a three day period. This represents a density of vortices of about one in each 900 square kilometers. Thus, these dust devils may be important in moving dust or starting over dust storms.

Thomas, P. G.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Andrean examples of mega-geomorphology themes

Geomorphic (or physiographic) provinces have been a well known and useful method of regional landform classification for a century. Every earth scientist will recognize a phrase such as Appalachian Plateau or Southern Rocky Mountains as defining a discrete region of consistent geologic structure that has experienced a similar interval of erosion by a similar process or set of processes. The geomorphic provinces formalized in the United States by Fenneman in the 1920's continue to be highly satisfactory even though some boundaries were only vaguely drawn. Mosaics of LANDSAT images illustrate better than any earlier maps the validity and coherence of Fenneman's provinces. The concept of geomorphic provinces has been used subconsciously or intuitively, to describe the relief of the ocean floor and the topography of the Moon and other planets.

Bloom, A. L.↗

NASA NTRS1984

'Dust' streaks on Mars

Global mapping and photometry of selected areas on Mars are used to investigate the nature of bright and dark wind streaks that extend from topographic obstacles. Occurrence of both bright and dark streaks is strongly latitude dependent and is only weakly correlated with surface properties such as albedo and thermal inertia. Data on the colors, albedos, and phase behavior of streaks are consistent with models of bright streaks as mosaics of plains materials and brighter, redder dust. Less than 20 percent of the ground need be covered by the optically thick dust in the brightest parts of the streaks; the amount of dust in optically thick layers could be as little as 0.001 g/sq cm. Dark streaks can be interpreted as erosional windows in a patchy dust cover. The model of dust deposition in optically thick patches is sedimentologically different from scenarios involving the deposition of ubiquitous, optically thin layers. It has the advantage that large amounts of dust can be deposited without affecting regional albedos.

Thomas, P.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Microstructural development of protective Al2O3 scales

Microstructural characteristics of Al2O3 scales grown as protective coatings on NiCrAl alloys used in jet engines are described. The alloys were pure or doped with 0.3 percent Zr or Y and oxidized in 1 atm air at 1100 C for 0.1, 1 or 20.0 hr. The scales were then examined under a microscope. Transient epitaxial scales, formed during the 0.1 hr treatment and containing Ni, Cr and Al, consisted of a mosaic of subgrains and precipitates of different phases. The Y and Zr dopants had no effect on the nucleation site locations. The appearance of intergranular porosity at 0.1 hr was exacerbated after the 1 hr treatment. A bimodal void distribution appeared after 20 hr, when no porosity was evident. The detection of local areas of preferred orientation is taken as a spur to further studies of scale growth to gain control of the grain size or even to produce single crystal scales.

Smialek, J. L.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Geologic interpretation of Seasat SAR imagery near the Rio Lacantum, Mexico

A mosaic of the Seasat Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) optically processed images over Central America is presented. A SAR image of the Rio Lacantum area (southeastern Mexico) has been digitally processed and its interpretation is presented. The region is characterized by low relief and a dense vegetation canopy. Surface is believed to be indicative of subsurface structural features. The Seasat-SAR system had a steep imaging geometry (incidence angle 23 + or - 3 deg off-nadir) which is favorable for detection of subtle topographic variations. Subtle textural features in the image corresponding to surface topography were enhanced by image processing techniques. A structural and lithologic interpretation of the processed images is presented. Lineaments oriented NE-SW dominate and intersect broad folds trending NW-SE. Distinctive karst topography characterizes one high relief area

Rebillard, PH.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Fabrication of an X-Ray Imaging Detector

X-ray detector array yields mosaic image of object emitting 1- to 30-keV range fabricated from n-doped silicon wafer. In proposed fabrication technique, thin walls of diffused n+ dopant divide wafer into pixels of rectangular cross section, each containing central electrode of thermally migrated p-type metal. This pnn+ arrangement reduces leakage current by preventing transistor action caused by pnp structure of earlier version.

Alcorn, G. E.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Computational models of human vision with applications

Perceptual problems in aeronautics were studied. The mechanism by which color constancy is achieved in human vision was examined. A computable algorithm was developed to model the arrangement of retinal cones in spatial vision. The spatial frequency spectra are similar to the spectra of actual cone mosaics. The Hartley transform as a tool of image processing was evaluated and it is suggested that it could be used in signal processing applications, GR image processing.

Wandell, B. A.↗