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At least 901 records · Page 50

Development of a simple, self-contained flight test data acquisition system

A low cost flight test data acquisition system, applicable to general aviation airplanes, was developed which meets criteria for doing longitudinal and lateral stability analysis. Th package consists of (1) a microprocessor controller and data acquisition module; (2) a transducer module; and (3) a power supply module. The system is easy to install and occupies space in the cabin or baggage compartment of the airplane. All transducers are contained in these modules except the total pressure tube, static pressure air temperature transducer, and control position transducers. The NASA-developed MMLE program was placed on a microcomputer on which all data reduction is done. The flight testing program undertaken proved both the flight testing hardware and the data reduction method to be applicable to the current field of general aviation airplanes.

Renz, R. R. L.↗

The Spectral Image Processing System (SIPS): Software for integrated analysis of AVIRIS data

The Spectral Image Processing System (SIPS) is a software package developed by the Center for the Study of Earth from Space (CSES) at the University of Colorado, Boulder, in response to a perceived need to provide integrated tools for analysis of imaging spectrometer data both spectrally and spatially. SIPS was specifically designed to deal with data from the Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) and the High Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (HIRIS), but was tested with other datasets including the Geophysical and Environmental Research Imaging Spectrometer (GERIS), GEOSCAN images, and Landsat TM. SIPS was developed using the 'Interactive Data Language' (IDL). It takes advantage of high speed disk access and fast processors running under the UNIX operating system to provide rapid analysis of entire imaging spectrometer datasets. SIPS allows analysis of single or multiple imaging spectrometer data segments at full spatial and spectral resolution. It also allows visualization and interactive analysis of image cubes derived from quantitative analysis procedures such as absorption band characterization and spectral unmixing. SIPS consists of three modules: SIPS Utilities, SIPS_View, and SIPS Analysis. SIPS version 1.1 is described below.

Kruse, F. A.↗

Earth Radiation Budget Satellite

The Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) waqs designed to examine the thermal equilibrium between the sun, the earth, and space. The major space-based component of the experiment is the Earth Radiation Budget Satellite (ERBS) which was launched from Shuttle (Mission 41-G) on October 5, 1984. The ERBS is a three-axis momentum-biased spacecraft containing its own subsystems for attitude control, power generation, thermal control, and data handling. The satellite transmits data via the NASA Spacecraft Tracking and Data Network (STDN) and the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS). The ERBS instrument package includes eight channels in two sensor packages: a nonscanning radiometer and a scanning radiometer. The combined spectral range of the two instruments is 0.2-5.0 microns and the scale of the radiometer measurements can be changed to collect regional, zonal, or global data. A series of schematic diagrams of the ERBS spacecraft and its instrument package is provided.

Dezio, J. A.↗

Uncertainties in the Geostationary Ocean Color Imager (GOCI) Remote Sensing Reflectance for Assessing Diurnal Variability of Biogeochemical Processes

Short-term (sub-diurnal) biological and biogeochemical processes cannot be fully captured by the current suite of polar-orbiting satellite ocean color sensors, as their temporal resolution is limited to potentially one clear image per day. Geostationary sensors, such as the Geostationary Ocean Color Imager (GOCI) from the Republic of Korea, allow the study of these short-term processes because their orbit permit the collection of multiple images throughout each day for any area within the sensor’s field of regard. Assessing the capability to detect sub-diurnal changes in in-water properties caused by physical and biogeochemical processes characteristic of open ocean and coastal ocean ecosystems, however, requires an understanding of the uncertainties introduced by the instrument and/or geophysical retrieval algorithms. This work presents a study of the uncertainties during the daytime period for an ocean region with characteristically low-productivity with the assumption that only small and undetectable changes occur in the in-water properties due to biogeochemical processes during the daytime period. The complete GOCI mission data were processed using NASA’s SeaDAS/l2gen package. The assumption of homogeneity of the study region was tested using three-day sequences and diurnal statistics. This assumption was found to hold based on the minimal diurnal and day-to-day variability in GOCI data products. Relative differences with respect to the midday value were calculated for each hourly observation of the day in order to investigate what time of the day the variability is greater. Also, the influence of the solar zenith angle in the retrieval of remote sensing reflectances and derived products was examined. Finally, we determined that the uncertainties in water-leaving “remote-sensing” reflectance (Rrs) for the 412,443, 490, 555, 660 and 680 nm bands on GOCI are 8.05 x 10(exp -4), 5.49 x 10(exp -4), 4.48 x 10(exp -4), 2.51 x 10(exp -4), 8.83 x 10(exp -5), and 1.36 x 10(exp -4)/sr, respectively, and 1.09 x 10(exp -2)/cu.mgm for the chlorophyll-a concentration (Chl-a), 2.09 x 10(exp -3)/m for the absorption coefficient of chromophoric dissolved organic matter at 412 nm (a(sub g) (412)), and 3.7 mg/cu.m for particulate organic carbon (POC). These R(sub rs) values can be considered the threshold values for detectable changes of the in-water properties due to biological, physical or biogeochemical processes from GOCI.

Concha, Javier↗

Uncertainties in the Geostationary Ocean Color Imager (GOCI) Remote Sensing Reflectance for Assessing Diurnal Variability of Biogeochemical Processes

Short-term (sub-diurnal) biological and biogeochemical processes cannot be fully captured by the current suite of polar-orbiting satellite ocean color sensors, as their temporal resolution is limited to potentially one clear image per day. Geostationary sensors, such as the Geostationary Ocean Color Imager (GOCI) from the Republic of Korea, allow the study of these short-term processes because their orbit permit the collection of multiple images throughout each day for any area within the sensor’s field of regard. Assessing the capability to detect sub-diurnal changes in in-water properties caused by physical and biogeochemical processes characteristic of open ocean and coastal ocean ecosystems, however, requires an understanding of the uncertainties introduced by the instrument and/or geophysical retrieval algorithms. This work presents a study of the uncertainties during the daytime period for an ocean region with characteristically low-productivity with the assumption that only small and undetectable changes occur in the in-water properties due to biogeochemical processes during the daytime period. The complete GOCI mission data were processed using NASA’s SeaDAS/l2gen package. The assumption of homogeneity of the study region was tested using three-day sequences and diurnal statistics. This assumption was found to hold based on the minimal diurnal and day-to-day variability in GOCI data products. Relative differences with respect to the midday value were calculated for each hourly observation of the day in order to investigate what time of the day the variability is greater. Also, the influence of the solar zenith angle in the retrieval of remote sensing reflectances and derived products was examined. Finally, we determined that the uncertainties in water-leaving “remote-sensing” reflectance (Rrs) for the 412, 443, 490, 555, 660 and 680 nm bands on GOCI are 8.05 × 10−4, 5.49 × 10−4, 4.48 × 10−4, 2.51 × 10−4, 8.83 × 10−5, and 1.36 × 10−4 sr−1, respectively, and 1.09 × 10−2 mg m−3 for the chlorophyll-a concentration (Chl-a), 2.09 × 10−3 m−1 for the absorption coefficient of chromophoric dissolved organic matter at 412 nm (ag (412)), and 3.7 mg m−3 for particulate organic carbon (POC). These Rrs values can be considered the threshold values for detectable changes of the in-water properties due to biological, physical or biogeochemical processes from GOCI.

Geostationary Ocean Color Imager (GOCI)↗

Orbital transfer vehicle launch operations study: Manpower summary and facility requirements, volume 5

All manpower numbers, number of heads (by skill), serial time and manhours have been accumulated and compiled on a per subtask basis in spreadsheet format for both the ground based and the space based data flows. To aid in identifying the facility resources required to process the Ground Based Orbital Transfer Vehicle (GBOTV) and/or the space based orbital transfer vehicle (SBOTV) through the ground facilities at Kennedy Space Center (KSC), a software application package was developed using a general purpose data base management system known as Data Flex. The facility requirements are used as the basic input to this software application. The resources of the KSC facility that could be used by orbital transfer vehicle program were digitized in the same format used to identify facility requirements. The facility capabilities were digitized in this format for subsequent, automated comparative analyses. Composite facility requirements are compared to each of the baseline facility capabilities and the system generates a relative score that indicates how each facility weighs against the composite requirements in relation to the other facilities in the set.

Source record↗

Moisture sounding at millimeter wavelengths /94/183 GHz/ at high altitudes

A moisture sounding radiometer at millimeter wavelengths has been developed for high altitude measurements onboard NASA's WB-57F aircraft. Three channels about the 183.3 GHz water vapor line permit measurement of the atmospheric water vapor profile. A single window channel at 94 GHz provides correction for clouds over the ocean and for surface emissivity variations over land. The instrument is an imaging radiometer operating under microprocessor control throughout each data flight. The system is contained within two packages integrated into the WB-57F pallet. A ground support system was used to perform a quick-look analysis of the data collected immediately following each flight.

Gagliano, J. A.↗

Hera - The HEASARC's New Data Analysis Service

Hera is the new computer service provided by the HEASARC at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center that enables qualified student and professional astronomical researchers to immediately begin analyzing scientific data from high-energy astrophysics missions. All the necessary resources needed to do the data analysis are freely provided by Hera, including: * the latest version of the hundreds of scientific analysis programs in the HEASARC's HEASOFT package, as well as most of the programs in the Chandra CIAO package and the XMM-Newton SAS package. * high speed access to the terabytes of data in the HEASARC's high energy astrophysics Browse data archive. * a cluster of fast Linw workstations to run the software * ample local disk space to temporarily store the data and results. Some of the many features and different modes of using Hera are illustrated in this poster presentation.

Pence, William↗

Interactive Data-Collection And Display Program With Debugging

INFORM program designed to aid assembly language programers of SEL 810B computers in working with scaled-integer applications. INFORM was developed to meet needs of engineers designing real-time digital controls using SEL 810B where time and hardware constraints make use of integer arithmetic and scaled integers necessary. Package includes auxiliary routines that add dynamic data acquisition and high-speed dynamic display to INFORM capabilities.

Cwynar, D. S.↗

Some design constraints required for the assembly of software components: The incorporation of atomic abstract types into generically structured abstract types

It is nearly axiomatic, that to take the greatest advantage of the useful features available in a development system, and to avoid the negative interactions of those features, requires the exercise of a design methodology which constrains their use. A major design support feature of the Ada language is abstraction: for data, functions processes, resources, and system elements in general. Atomic abstract types can be created in packages defining those private types and all of the overloaded operators, functions, and hidden data required for their use in an application. Generically structured abstract types can be created in generic packages defining those structured private types, as buildups from the user-defined data types which are input as parameters. A study is made of the design constraints required for software incorporating either atomic or generically structured abstract types, if the integration of software components based on them is to be subsequently performed. The impact of these techniques on the reusability of software and the creation of project-specific software support environments is also discussed.

Johnson, Charles S.↗

Experiment S010: Agena micrometeorite collection

A study was made of the micrometeoroid content of the upper atmosphere and the near-earth space environment. Highly polished collection surfaces attached to the target docking adapter (TDA) were exposed to micrometeorite impact and debris collection during the Gemini 8, 9, and 10 missions. Also, the device was attached to the Gemini Agena target vehicle (GATV) during the Gemini 12 mission. The effects of space environment exposure on viable microorganisms were recorded. No substantive data regarding space environment micrometeorite content were derived from the Gemini 9 or 12 missions. However, some substantive data were obtained from the experiment package that was retrieved from the Gemini 10 mission. The micrometeorite-flux values obtained were in general agreement with values obtained from previous experiments by the use of other experimental equipment. The microorganisms that were retrieved from the Gemini 10 experiment package did not survive. However, the same kinds of specimens inside the package had good survival rates. Upon initial analysis, it appeared that the closed-cover shielding was a contributing factor in the protection and survival of the microorganisms.

Hemenway, C. L.↗

ATS-5 solar cell experiment results after one year in synchronous orbit

The results of the ATS-5 solar cell experiment after one year in synchronous orbit are reported. A partial failure in the experimental electronics package has caused a loss of data from half the 80 experimental solar cells. Procedures for extracting data due to a partial spacecraft failure are described and discussed. Data from the remaining 40 solar cells, including 15 mounted on a thin flexible structure are analyzed. Data are corrected to a solar intensity of 140 mW/sq cm and a temperature of 25 C. It was found that after one year in synchronous orbit: (1) cells with 1.52-mm-thick coverslides did not show a clear-cut advantage over those with 0.15-mm coverslides, (2) cells with solderless grid lines are degrading at the same rate as are cells with solder-dipped grid lines, (3) cells not quite completely covered with coverslides suffered a large power loss in comparison to cells fully covered, (4) no clear-cut advantage of 10-cm cells over 2-cm cells has yet been observed, (5) cells mounted on the flexible panel with relatively little backshielding did not degrade any faster than those with substantial backshielding, and (6) the flight data in large part confirms the adequacy of the ground-based techniques used in our preflight radiation test program.

Anspaugh, B. E.↗

Preliminary study of the reliability of imaging charge coupled devices

Imaging CCDs are capable of low light level response and high signal-to-noise ratios. In space applications they offer the user the ability to achieve extremely high resolution imaging with minimum circuitry in the photo sensor array. This work relates the CCD121H Fairchild device to the fundamentals of CCDs and the representative technologies. Several failure modes are described, construction is analyzed and test results are reported. In addition, the relationship of the device reliability to packaging principles is analyzed and test data presented. Finally, a test program is defined for more general reliability evaluation of CCDs.

Beall, J. R.↗

Application of remote sensing to state and regional problems

The methods and procedures used, accomplishments, current status, and future plans are discussed for each of the following applications of LANDSAT in Mississippi: (1) land use planning in Lowndes County; (2) strip mine inventory and reclamation; (3) white-tailed deer habitat evaluation; (4) remote sensing data analysis support systems; (5) discrimination of unique forest habitats in potential lignite areas; (6) changes in gravel operations; and (7) determining freshwater wetlands for inventory and monitoring. The documentation of all existing software and the integration of the image analysis and data base software into a single package are now considered very high priority items.

Miller, W. F.↗

Using CAD/CAM to improve productivity - The IPAD approach

Progress in designing and implementing CAD/CAM systems as a result of the NASA Integrated Programs for Aerospace-Vehicle Design is discussed. Essential software packages have been identified as executive, data management, general user, and geometry and graphics software. Data communication, as a means to integrate data over a network of computers of different vendors, provides data management with the capability of meeting design and manufacturing requirements of the vendors. Geometry software is dependent on developmental success with solid geometry software, which is necessary for continual measurements of, for example, a block of metal while it is being machined. Applications in the aerospace industry, such as for design, analysis, tooling, testing, quality control, etc., are outlined.

Fulton, R. E.↗

The OSTA-1 scientific payload - Scientific results from the second flight of the Shuttle

The qualification, operation, and results from the first Office of Science and Technology Assessment payload, flown on board the second Shuttle mission, are detailed. Among the experiments were a Shuttle Imaging Radar-A, which recorded 1000 m of 70 mm film of 50 km swaths of the earth's land and ocean surface. The multispectral IR radiometer permitted the acquisistion of 400,000 ten-channel spectral over the wavelength interval 0.5-2.35 microns, including rock and soil identifications which are correlated with economically significant geologic materials. The ocean color experiment involved an eight channel optical mechanical scanner to detect ocean water color changes due to the presence of phytoplankton. Air pollution was measured by radiometer in the 4.50-4.83 micron regions, and an asymmetry in CO concentration was found between the northern and sourthern hemispheres. Only five seconds of surface and meteorological data were collected by the FILE package, while the one successfully used film cassette on a lightning recording experiment revealed discharges among convective storm systems. A rerunning of unsuccessful experiments and new instrumentation for future Shuttle missions are indicated.

Taranik, J. V.↗

Space Shuttle progress report

The Shuttle flight test plan is detailed, together with the results of tests of the flight control system (FCS). The initial Columbia flights carried 13,000 lb of instrumentation, and will be replaced with a 97 lb package during subsequent flights when further data are desired. The flight test program, besides gathering aerodynamic data, was heavily concerned with the perormance of the SSME (near-nominal), the thermal protection system (the performance and reusability have been demonstrated), and the data processing system (ground verification tests vindicated). Ascent has been nominal, as have orbital maneuvers, and descent roll/yaw has proven smoother than other high performance aircraft. Accelerometers and crewmembers have not been able to sense the smoothness of reentry RCS-controlled maneuvers. The manual controls are noted to serve only in off-nominal situations. The STS is concluded to be a basically sound vehicle, assuring a routine American presence in space.

Mattingly, T. K.↗