Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Remote sensing”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,171 records · Page 65
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2000

Remote Sensing of Aerosol and Aerosol Radiative Forcing of Climate from EOS Terra MODIS Instrument

The recent launch of EOS-Terra into polar orbit has begun to revolutionize remote sensing of aerosol and their effect on climate. Terra has five instruments, two of them,Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Multiangle Imaging Spectro-Radiometer (MISR) are designed to monitor global aerosol in two different complementary ways. Here we shall discuss the use of the multispectral measurements of MODIS to derive: (1) the global distribution of aerosol load (and optical thickness) over ocean and land; (2) to measure the impact of aerosol on reflection of sunlight to space; and (3) to measure the ability of aerosol to absorb solar radiation. These measurements have direct applications on the understanding of the effect of aerosol on climate, the ability to predict climate change, and on the monitoring of dust episodes and man-made pollution. Principles of remote sensing of aerosol from MODIS will be discussed and first examples of measurements from MODIS will be provided.

Kaufman, Yoram↗
DOE OSTI2026

Remote sensing of planetary boundary layer from ground and space: Structure, thermodynamics, and boundary layer clouds

The planetary boundary layer (PBL) is a critical interface between Earth's surface and atmosphere, influencing atmospheric convection, weather patterns, and air quality. Recognized by the 2017 National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Earth Science Decadal Survey as an Incubation Targeted Observable, high-quality and effective observation of the PBL has become a priority. This paper reviews surface-based and satellite remote sensing techniques for characterizing PBL features, including PBL height (PBLH), boundary layer thermodynamics, turbulence, and boundary layer clouds (BLCs). These elements are treated as interconnected aspects of the PBL system, while recognizing that different instruments retrieve different physical manifestations of the PBL. The review summarizes recent advances and limitations in Micro-Pulse Lidar (MPL), Doppler lidar, Raman lidar, Differential Absorption Lidar (DIAL), ceilometers, wind profilers, GNSS Radio Occultation, radar, and hyperspectral sounders. These observations help trace dynamic processes within the PBL and link PBL structure to broader weather and climate processes. The review also highlights persistent observational gaps over oceans, remote land, and polar regions, where continuous surface-based profiling is sparse. By comparing instrument capabilities, practical limitations, and interpretation issues, this review emphasizes the need for integrated remote sensing approaches and careful definition of the retrieved PBL quantities.

Boundary layer clouds↗
NASA NTRS1991

The science benefits of and the antenna requirements for microwave remote sensing from geostationary orbit

The primary objective of the Large Space Antenna (LSA) Science Panel was to evaluate the science benefits that can be realized with a 25-meter class antenna in a microwave/millimeter wave remote sensing system in geostationary orbit. The panel concluded that a 25-meter or larger antenna in geostationary orbit can serve significant passive remote sensing needs in the 10 to 60 GHz frequency range, including measurements of precipitation, water vapor, atmospheric temperature profile, ocean surface wind speed, oceanic cloud liquid water content, and snow cover. In addition, cloud base height, atmospheric wind profile, and ocean currents can potentially be measured using active sensors with the 25-meter antenna. Other environmental parameters, particularly those that do not require high temporal resolution, are better served by low Earth orbit based sensors.

Stutzman, Warren L.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Chlorophyll- a dynamics in the lower Amazon River: insights from in situ and hyperspectral remote sensing using OCI-PACE

Chlorophyll-a concentration (Chla) is a key indicator of phytoplankton biomass and aquatic trophic status. However, satellite-derived Chla in sediment-rich waters, such as those found in the Lower Amazon River, remains challenging. The present study characterizes in situ Chla levels and their relationships with geographic, physical, and biogeochemical parameters in the Lower Amazon. Data collected between 2014 and 2017 across four hydrological seasons included measurements of Chla, remote sensing reflectance, and water quality parameters such as total suspended sediment, conductivity, water surface temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, dissolved organic carbon and coloured dissolved organic matter. An empirical model was developed to estimate Chla using simulated hyperspectral bands from NASA’s PACE mission, achieving high performance (R 2 = 0.76; RMSE = 0.11 μg·L −1 ). Red bands proved particularly effective for Chla retrieval, while the addition of ultraviolet bands further enhanced model accuracy. The application of the developed model to satellite imagery yielded results consistent with in situ observations for the same hydrologic season. Seasonal variation and geographic location were major factors influencing Chla dynamics. This study provides a novel contribution to Chla estimation in optically complex, highly turbid waters and highlights the potential of the PACE mission to enhance global aquatic ecosystem monitoring. In conclusion, by offering freely available hyperspectral data with high radiometric resolution, PACE represents a significant advancement in the realm of remote sensing of aquatic environments.

Amazon River↗
DOE OSTI2016

A remotely sensed pigment index reveals photosynthetic phenology in evergreen conifers

In evergreen conifers, where the foliage amount changes little with season, accurate detection of the underlying “photosynthetic phenology” from satellite remote sensing has been difficult, presenting challenges for global models of ecosystem carbon uptake. In this paper, we report a close correspondence between seasonally changing foliar pigment levels, expressed as chlorophyll/carotenoid ratios, and evergreen photosynthetic activity, leading to a “chlorophyll/carotenoid index” (CCI) that tracks evergreen photosynthesis at multiple spatial scales. When calculated from NASA’s Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer satellite sensor, the CCI closely follows the seasonal patterns of daily gross primary productivity of evergreen conifer stands measured by eddy covariance. This discovery provides a way of monitoring evergreen photosynthetic activity from optical remote sensing, and indicates an important regulatory role for carotenoid pigments in evergreen photosynthesis. Improved methods of monitoring photosynthesis from space can improve our understanding of the global carbon budget in a warming world of changing vegetation phenology.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1981

Application of remote sensing to land and water resource planning: The Pocomoke River Basin, Maryland

Because of the size of the Pocomoke River Basin, the inaccessibility of certain areas, and study time constraints, several remote sensing techniques were used to collect base information on the river corridor, (a 23.2 km channel) and on a 1.2 km wooded floodplain. This information provided an adequate understanding of the environment and its resources, thus enabling effective management options to be designed. The remote sensing techniques used for assessment included manual analysis of high altitude color-infrared photography, computer-assisted analysis of LANDSAT-2 imagery, and the application of airborne oceanographic Lidar for topographic mapping. Results show that each techniques was valuable in providing the needed base data necessary for resource planning.

Wildesen, S. E.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Segmentation of remotely sensed data using parallel region growing

The improved spatial resolution of the new earth resources satellites will increase the need for effective utilization of spatial information in machine processing of remotely sensed data. One promising technique is scene segmentation by region growing. Region growing can use spatial information in two ways: only spatially adjacent regions merge together, and merging criteria can be based on region-wide spatial features. A simple region growing approach is described in which the similarity criterion is based on region mean and variance (a simple spatial feature). An effective way to implement region growing for remote sensing is as an iterative parallel process on a large parallel processor. A straightforward parallel pixel-based implementation of the algorithm is explored and its efficiency is compared with sequential pixel-based, sequential region-based, and parallel region-based implementations. Experimental results from on aircraft scanner data set are presented, as is a discussioon of proposed improvements to the segmentation algorithm.

Tilton, J. C.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Investigating the Impact of Surface Heterogeneity on the Convective Boundary Layer Over Urban Areas Through Coupled Large-Eddy Simulation and Remote Sensing

Large-eddy Simulation (LES) was used to study convective boundary layer (CBL) flow through suburban regions with both large and small scale heterogeneities in surface temperature. Constant remotely sensed surface temperatures were applied at the surface boundary at resolutions of 10 m, 90 m, 200 m, and 1 km. Increasing the surface resolution from 1 km to 200 m had the most significant impact on the mean and turbulent flow characteristics as the larger scale heterogeneities became resolved. While previous studies concluded that scales of heterogeneity much smaller than the CBL inversion height have little impact on the CBL characteristics, we found that further increasing the surface resolution (resolving smaller scale heterogeneities) results in an increase in mean surface heat flux, thermal blending height, and potential temperature profile. The results of this study will help to better inform sub-grid parameterization for meso-scale meteorological models. The simulation tool developed through this study (combining LES and high resolution remotely sensed surface conditions) is a significant step towards future studies on the micro-scale meteorology in urban areas.

Dominguez, Anthony↗
NASA NTRS1974

The economic value of remote sensing of earth resources from space: An ERTS overview and the value of continuity of service. Volume 7: Nonreplenishable natural resources: Minerals, fossil fuels and geothermal energy sources

The application of remotely-sensed information to the mineral, fossil fuel, and geothermal energy extraction industry is investigated. Public and private cost savings are documented in geologic mapping activities. Benefits and capabilities accruing to the ERS system are assessed. It is shown that remote sensing aids in resource extraction, as well as the monitoring of several dynamic phenomena, including disturbed lands, reclamation, erosion, glaciation, and volcanic and seismic activity.

Lietzke, K. R.↗
NASA NTRS2009

An Update of NASA Public Health Applications Projects using Remote Sensing Data

Satellite earth observations present a unique vantage point of the earth s environment from space which offers a wealth of health applications for the imaginative investigator. The session will present research results of the remote sensing environmental observations of earth and health applications. This session will an overview of many of the NASA public health applications using Remote Sensing Data and will also discuss opportunities to become a research collaborator with NASA.

Estes, Sue M.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Estimation of Regional Evapotranspiration Using Remotely Sensed Land Surface Temperature. Part 1: Measurement of Evapotranspiration at the Environmental Research Center and Determination of Priestley-taylor Parameter

In order to study the distribution of evapotranspiration in the humid region using remote sensing technology, the parameter (alpha) in the Priestley-Taylor model was determined. The daily means of the parameter alpha = 1.14 can be available from summer to autumn and alpha = to approximately 2.0 in winter. The results of the satellite and the airborne sensing done on 21st and 22nd January, 1983, are described. Using the vegetation distribution in the Tsukuba Academic New Town, as well as the radiation temperature obtained by remote sensing and the radiation data observed at the ground surface, the evapotranspiration was calculated for each vegetation type by the Priestley-Taylor method. The daily mean evapotranspiration on 22nd January, 1983, was approximately 0.4 mm/day. The differences in evapotranspiration between the vegetation types were not detectable, because the magnitude of evapotranspiration is very little in winter.

Kotada, K.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Microwave remote sensing of soil moisture

Knowledge of soil moisture is important to many disciplines, such as agriculture, hydrology, and meteorology. Soil moisture distribution of vast regions can be measured efficiently only with remote sensing techniques from airborne or satellite platforms. At low microwave frequencies, water has a much larger dielectric constant than dry soil. This difference manifests itself in surface emissivity (or reflectivity) change between dry and wet soils, and can be measured by a microwave radiometer or radar. The Microwave Sensors and Data Communications Branch is developing microwave remote sensing techniques using both radar and radiometry, but primarily with microwave radiometry. The efforts in these areas range from developing algorithms for data interpretation to conducting feasibility studies for space systems, with a primary goal of developing a microwave radiometer for soil moisture measurement from satellites, such as EOS or the Space Station. These efforts are listed.

Shiue, J. C.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Survey of in-situ and remote sensing methods for soil moisture determination

General methods for determining the moisture content in the surface layers of the soil based on in situ or point measurements, soil water models and remote sensing observations are surveyed. In situ methods described include gravimetric techniques, nuclear techniques based on neutron scattering or gamma-ray attenuation, electromagnetic techniques, tensiometric techniques and hygrometric techniques. Soil water models based on column mass balance treat soil moisture contents as a result of meteorological inputs (precipitation, runoff, subsurface flow) and demands (evaporation, transpiration, percolation). The remote sensing approaches are based on measurements of the diurnal range of surface temperature and the crop canopy temperature in the thermal infrared, measurements of the radar backscattering coefficient in the microwave region, and measurements of microwave emission or brightness temperature. Advantages and disadvantages of the various methods are pointed out, and it is concluded that a successful monitoring system must incorporate all of the approaches considered.

Schmugge, T. J.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Remote sensing from unoccupied aerial systems: Opportunities to enhance Arctic plant ecology in a changing climate

The Arctic is warming at a faster rate than any other biome on Earth, resulting in widespread changes in vegetation composition, structure, and function that have important feedbacks to the global climate system. The heterogeneous nature of arctic landscapes creates challenges for monitoring and improving understanding of these ecosystems, as current efforts typically rely on ground, airborne, or satellite-based observations that are limited in space, time, or pixel resolution. The use of remote sensing instruments on small Unoccupied Aerial Systems (UASs) has emerged as an important tool to bridge the gap between detailed, but spatially limited ground-level measurements, and lower resolution, but spatially extensive high-altitude airborne and satellite observations. UASs allow researchers to view, describe and quantify vegetation dynamics at fine spatial scales (1-10 cm) over areas much larger than typical field plots. UASs can be deployed with a high degree of temporal flexibility, enabling observation across diurnal, seasonal, and annual timescales. In this work, we review how established and emerging UAS remote sensing technologies can enhance arctic plant ecological research by quantifying fine-scale vegetation patterns and processes, and by enhancing the ability to link ground-based measurements with broader-scale information obtained from airborne and satellite platforms. Synthesis: Improved ecological understanding and model representation of arctic vegetation is needed to forecast the fate of the Arctic in a rapidly changing climate. Observations from UASs provide an approach to address this need, however, the use of this technology in the Arctic currently remains limited. Here we share recommendations to better enable and encourage the use of UASs to improve the description, scaling, and model representation of arctic vegetation.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1974

Research on the application of satellite remote sensing to local, state, regional and national programs involved with resource management and environmental quality

A program designed to involve state, regional and local agency personnel in the application of remote sensing is reported. During this period fifteen applications projects were initiated in support of twenty-five separate state, county and municipal agencies or entities. Eight of the projects were completed with positive results which aided the agencies involved. These results included information which contributed to decisions on: (1) selection of a route for a scenic parkway, (2) policy development on open land use, (3) policy related to urban development, (4) a major reservoir project by a governor's staff, (5) control tactics and damage assessment during flooding conditions on the Kansas and Missouri rivers, and (6) initiating a program of habitat inventory by remote sensing by the Kansas Forestry, Fish and Game Commission.

Barr, B. G.↗
NASA NTRS1982

The use of the Space Shuttle for land remote sensing

The use of the Space Shuttle for land remote sensing will grow significantly during the 1980's. The main use will be for general land cover and geological mapping purposes by worldwide users employing specialized sensors such as: high resolution film systems, synthetic aperture radars, and multispectral visible/IR electronic linear array scanners. Because these type sensors have low Space Shuttle load factors, the user's preference will be for shared flights. With this strong preference and given the present prognosis for Space Shuttle flight frequency as a function of orbit inclination, the strongest demand will be for 57 deg orbits. However, significant use will be made of lower inclination orbits. Compared with freeflying satellites, Space Shuttle mission investment requirements will be significantly lower. The use of the Space Shuttle for testing R and D land remote sensors will replace the free-flying satellites for most test programs.

Thome, P. G.↗
NASA NTRS2008

Predicting and Mitigating Outbreaks of Vector-Borne Disease Utilizing Satellite Remote Sensing Technology and Models

Satellite earth observations present a unique vantage point of the earth's environment from space which offers a wealth of health applications for the imaginative investigator. The session will present research results of the remote sensing environmental observations of earth and health applications. This session will an overview of many of the NASA public health applications using Remote Sensing Data and will also discuss opportunities to become a research collaborator with NASA.

Estes, Sue↗