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NASA NTRS1987

First results from the Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS)

After engineering flights aboard the NASA U-2 research aircraft in the winter of 1986 to 1987 and spring of 1987, extensive data collection across the United States was begun with the Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) in the summer of 1987 in support of a NASA data evaluation and technology assessment program. This paper presents some of the first results obtained from AVIRIS. Examples of spectral imagery acquired over Mountain View and Mono Lake, California, and the Cuprite Mining District in western Nevada are presented. Sensor performance and data quality are described, and in the final section of this paper, plans for the future are discussed.

Vane, Gregg↗

NASA NTRS1986

A lunar transportation system

Due to large amounts of oxygen required for space travel, a method of mining, transporting, and storing this oxygen in space would facilitate further space exploration. The following project deals specifically with the methods for transporting liquid oxygen from the lunar surface to the Lunar Orbit (LO) space station, and then to the Lower Earth Orbit (LEO) space station. Two vehicles were designed for operation between the LEO and LO space stations. The first of these vehicles is an aerobraked design vehicle. The Aerobrake Orbital Transfer Vehicle (OTV) is capable of transporting 5000 lbm of payload to LO while returning to LEO with 60,000 lbm of liquid oxygen, and thus meet mission requirements. The second vehicle can deliver 18,000 lbm of payload to LO and is capable of bringing 60,000 lbm of liquid oxygen back to LEO. A lunar landing vehicle was also designed for operation between LO and the established moon base. The use of an electromagnetic railgun as a method for launching the lunar lander was also investigated. The feasibility of the railgun is doubtful at this time. A system of spheres was also designed for proper storing and transporting of the liquid oxygen. The system assumes a safe means for transferring the liquid oxygen from tank to tank is operational. A sophisticated life support system was developed for both the OTV and the lunar lander. This system focuses on such factors as the vehicle environment, waste management, water requirements, food requirements, and oxygen requirements.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1988

Non-atmospheric noble gases from CO(sub 2) well ga

In recent years a number of studies of both terrestrial and extraterrestrial material has allowed the piecing together of a picture of events occurring in the early solar system (4.5 Gyr ago), including the formation of the earth. However, before this picture can be completed with an appropriate amount of detail it will be necessary to make further advances. One of the areas where knowledge is lacking is the chemical and isotopic composition of the earth as a whole. The lack of knowledge has less to do with the capabilities of modern techniques than with the availability of samples to study. About 99.6 percent of the earth's mass is contained in the mantle and core, leaving less that 1 percent in the crust and atmosphere. Although the crust is derived from the mantle it has undergone extensive changes and it is therefore difficult (although not impossible) to use crustal material to study events occurring 4.5 Gyr ago. More information about the early earth could be obtained from studies of the mantle but it is difficult to obtain mantle material, because the mean thickness of the crust is 17 km, much greater than even the deepest mines or drill shafts. The two types of available mantle samples are discussed.

Caffee, M. W.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Detectability of minerals on desert alluvial fans using reflectance spectra

The visible and near-infrared reflectance spectra of soil samples collected from desert alluvial and colluvial surfaces in the Cuprite mining district, Nevada, were analyzed. These surfaces are downslope from hydrothermally altered volcanic rocks that contain spectrally characteristic minerals such as alunite and kaolinite. Coarse fractions of the soils on the alluvial fans are mineralogically variable and express the upslope lithologies; fine fractions are remarkably similar mineralogically and spectrally in all samples because of dilution of local mineral components by regionally derived windblown dust. Theoretical models for spectral mixing and for particle-size effects were used to model the observed spectral variations. Diagnostic mineral absorption bands in the spectra of fan materials were enhanced by computationally removing the spectrum of the homogeneous fine-soil component. Results show that spectral mixing models are useful for analyzing data with high spectral resolution obtained by field and aircraft spectrometers.

Shipman, Hugh↗

NASA NTRS1987

Remote mineralogical and vegetation mapping using imaging spectrometry

Two airborne flight systems were developed for geological studies: the airborne imaging spectrometer (AIS) and the advanced visible and infrared imaging spectrometer. A satellite imaging spectrometer system, the high resolution imaging spectrometer, is currently being developed and is planned for flight on the proposed NASA Earth Orbiting System. Examples of the application of these instruments in mineral and vegetation studies are described. Experiments conducted with AIS over the Cuprite Mining District (Nevada) and the Owens Valley (California) demonstrate the power of this new approach to remote sensing.

King, James, Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Comparison of techniques for discriminating hydrothermal alteration minerals with Airborne Imaging Spectrometer data

Hydrothermal alteration mineralogy in the Tybo mining district of Nevada has been mapped on the basis of high spectral and spatial resolution Airborne Imaging Spectrometer (AIS) data, using band ratios, principal component analysis, and a signature-matching algorithm to delineate the alteration zones and limestone foundations. The signature-matching algorithm is found to be the most effective method of discriminating alteration minerals, and is noted to be able to identify mineralogy by matching AIS image spectra with library reference spectra. AIS bands in the 2048-2337-nm portion of the spectrum accounted for the greatest amount of variance.

Feldman, Sandra C.↗

NASA NTRS1987

An integrtated approach to the use of Landsat TM data for gold exploration in west central Nevada

This paper represents an integration of several Landsat TM image processing techniques with other data to discriminate the lithologies and associated areas of hydrothermal alteration in the vicinity of the Paradise Peak gold mine in west central Nevada. A microprocessor-based image processing system and an IDIMS system were used to analyze data from a 512 X 512 window of a Landsat-5 TM scene collected on June 30, 1984. Image processing techniques included simple band composites, band ratio composites, principal components composites, and baseline-based composites. These techniques were chosen based on their ability to discriminate the spectral characteristics of the products of hydrothermal alteration as well as of the associated regional lithologies. The simple band composite, ratio composite, two principal components composites, and the baseline-based composites separately can define the principal areas of alteration. Combined, they provide a very powerful exploration tool.

Mouat, D. A.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Lunar resources - Evaluation and development for use in a lunar base program

The implications of lunar crust characteristics for human habitation on the moon are considered. Sources for propellants in the crust are discussed, and the rationale for including mining among base objectives is examined. Present opportunities for extracting lunar crust resources are addressed.

Burke, J. D.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Optical Tracker For Longwall Coal Shearer

Photographic record yields information for correction of vehicle path. Tracking system records lateral movements of longwall coal-shearing vehicle. System detects lateral and vertical deviations of path of vehicle moving along coal face, shearing coal as it goes. Rides on rails in mine tunnel, advancing on toothed track in one of rails. As vehicle moves, retroreflective mirror rides up and down on teeth, providing series of pulsed reflections to film recorder. Recorded positions of pulses, having horizontal and vertical orientations, indicate vertical and horizontal deviations, respectively, of vehicle.

Poulsen, Peter D.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Report of the In Situ Resources Utilization Workshop

The results of a workshop of 50 representatives from the public and private sector which investigated the potential joint development of the key technologies and mechanisms that will enable the permanent habitation of space are presented. The workshop is an initial step to develop a joint public/private assessment of new technology requirements of future space options, to share knowledge on required technologies that may exist in the private sector, and to investigate potential joint technology development opportunities. The majority of the material was produced in 5 working groups: (1) Construction, Assembly, Automation and Robotics; (2) Prospecting, Mining, and Surface Transportation; (3) Biosystems and Life Support; (4) Materials Processing; and (5) Innovative Ventures. In addition to the results of the working groups, preliminary technology development recommendations to assist in near-term development priority decisions are presented. Finally, steps are outlined for potential new future activities and relationships among the public, private, and academic sectors.

Fairchild, Kyle↗

NASA NTRS1988

Economic geology of lunar Helium-3

Economic geology evaluation of lunar He-3 should answer the question: Can lunar He-3 be sold on Earth with sufficient profit margins and low enough risk to attract capital investment in the enterprise. Concepts that relate to economic geology of recovering He-3 from the lunar maria are not new to human experience. A parametric cost and technology evaluation scheme, based on existing and future data, is required to qualitatively and quantitatively assess the comprehensive economic feasibility and return on investment of He-3 recovery from the lunar maria. There are also many political issues which must be considered as a result of nuclear fusion and lunar mining.

Schmitt, Harrison H.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Assessment of lunar sources of He-3 for use on earth

As a gross measure of the economics of mining lunar sources of He-3, the energy densities (GJ/ton) of lunar soils were compared with the energy densities of various existing and future terrestrial sources of energy. On this basis, only the very richest lunar ores appear competitive with coal. Future lunar exploration might emphasize identification of lunar soils having higher concentrations of He-3.

English, Robert E.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Subselenean tunneler melting head design: A preliminary study

The placement of base facilities in subsurface tunnels created as a result of subsurface mining is described as an alternative to the establishing of a base on the lunar surface. Placement of the base facilities and operations in subselenean tunnels will allow personnel to live and work free from the problem of radiation and temperature variations. A conceptual design for a tunneling device applicable to such a lunar base application was performed to assess the feasibility of the concept. A tunneler was designed which would melt through the lunar material leaving behind glass lined tunnels for later development. The tunneler uses a nuclear generator which supplies the energy to thermally melt the regolith about the cone shaped head. Melted regolith is exacavated through intakes in the head and transferred to a truck which hauls it to the surface. The tunnel walls are solidified to provide support lining by using an active cooling system about the mid section of the tunneler. Also addressed is the rationale for a subselenean tunneler and the tunneler configuration and subsystems, as well as the reasoning behind the resulting design.

Engblom, Bill↗

NASA NTRS1988

Proposal for a lunar tunnel-boring machine

A need exists for obtaining a safe and habitable lunar base that is free from the hazards of radiation, temperature gradient, and micrometeorites. A device for excavating lunar material and simultaneously generating living space in the subselenian environment was studied at the conceptual level. Preliminary examinations indicate that a device using a mechanical head to shear its way through the lunar material while creating a rigid ceramic-like lining meets design constraints using existing technology. The Lunar Tunneler is totally automated and guided by a laser communication system. There exists the potential for the excavated lunar material to be used in conjunction with a surface mining process for the purpose of the extraction of oxygen and other elements. Experiments into lunar material excavation and further research into the concept of a mechanical Lunar Tunneler are suggested.

Allen, Christopher S.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Evaluation of Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer Data of the Mountain Pass, California carbonatite complex

Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) data of the Mountain Pass, California carbonatite complex were examined to evaluate the AVIRIS instrument performance and to explore alternative methods of data calibration. Although signal-to-noise estimates derived from the data indicated that the A, B, and C spectrometers generally met the original instrument design objectives, the S/N performance of the D spectrometer was below expectations. Signal-to-noise values of 20 to 1 or lower were typical of the D spectrometer and several detectors in the D spectrometer array were shown to have poor electronic stability. The AVIRIS data also exhibited periodic noise, and were occasionally subject to abrupt dark current offsets. Despite these limitations, a number of mineral absorption bands, including CO3, Al-OH, and unusual rare earth element bands, were observed for mine areas near the main carbonatite body. To discern these bands, two different calibration procedures were applied to remove atmospheric and solar components from the remote sensing data. The two procedures, referred to as the single spectrum and the flat field calibration methods gave distinctly different results. In principle, the single spectrum method should be more accurate; however, additional fieldwork is needed to rigorously determine the degree of calibration success.

Crowley, James↗

NASA NTRS1987

Development of a semi-autonomous service robot with telerobotic capabilities

The importance to the United States of semi-autonomous systems for application to a large number of manufacturing and service processes is very clear. Two principal reasons emerge as the primary driving forces for development of such systems: enhanced national productivity and operation in environments whch are hazardous to humans. Completely autonomous systems may not currently be economically feasible. However, autonomous systems that operate in a limited operation domain or that are supervised by humans are within the technology capability of this decade and will likely provide reasonable return on investment. The two research and development efforts of autonomy and telerobotics are distinctly different, yet interconnected. The first addresses the communication of an intelligent electronic system with a robot while the second requires human communication and ergonomic consideration. Discussed here are work in robotic control, human/robot team implementation, expert system robot operation, and sensor development by the American Welding Institute, MTS Systems Corporation, and the Colorado School of Mines--Center for Welding Research.

Jones, J. E.↗

NASA NTRS1988

First results from the Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS)

Vane, Gregg↗

NASA NTRS1988

Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, 18th, Houston, TX, Mar. 16-20, 1987, Proceedings

Papers on lunar and planetary science are presented, including petrogenesis and chemistry of lunar samples, geology and petrogenesis of the Apollo 15 landing site, lunar geology and applications, cratering records and cratering effects, differentiated meteorites, chondritic meteorites and asteroids, extraterrestrial grains, Venus, Mars, and icy satellites. The importance of lunar granite and KREEP in very high potassium basalt petrogenesis, indentifying parent plutonic rocks from lunar breccia and soil fragments, glasses in ancient and young Apollo 16 regolith breccias, the formation of the Imbrium basin, the chemistry and petrology of the Apennine Front, lunar mare ridges, studies of Rima Mozart, electromagnetic energy applications in lunar resource mining and construction, detecting a periodic signal in the terrestrial cratering record, and a search for water on the moon, are among the topics discussed. Other topics include the bidirectional reflectance properties of Fe-Ni meteorites, the nature and origin of C-rich ordinary chondrites and chondritic clasts, the dehydration kinetics of shocked serpentine, characteristics of Greenland Fe/Ni cosmic grains, electron microscopy of a hydrated interplanetary dust particle, trapping Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe in Si2O3 smokes, gossans on Mars, and a model of the porous structure of icy satellites.

Ryder, Graham↗