Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Inventory”

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 1,243 records · Page 69

Spatial quantification of maps or images - Cell size or pixel size implications

The paper discusses spatial quantification of maps or images. Spatial accuracies evaluated by mapping and inventory measures were observed with a range of cell sizes for a 10.36 sq km soil survey segment. The distribution of interboundary distances in a map was evaluated as unique, characterizing information; experimentally observed relationships between accuracy and cell size and interboundary distance distribution parameters and cell size led to a model of the process of spatial quantization. Grid positioning effects were evaluated and were significant only at the level of individual mapping units; two generations of 'universal' process models were derived, implemented, and evaluated.

Wehde, M. E.↗

Global crop forecasting

The needs for and remote sensing means of global crop forecasting are discussed, and key results of the Large Area Crop Inventory Experiment (LACIE) are presented. Current crop production estimates provided by foreign countries are shown often to be inadequate, and the basic elements of crop production forecasts are reviewed. The LACIE project is introduced as a proof-of-concept experiment designed to assimilate remote sensing technology, monitor global wheat production, evaluate key technical problems, modify the technique accordingly and demonstrate the feasibility of a global agricultural monitoring system. The global meteorological data, sampling and aggregation techniques, Landsat data analysis procedures and yield forecast procedures used in the experiment are outlined. Accuracy assessment procedures employed to evaluate LACIE technology performance are presented, and improvements in system efficiency and capacity during the three years of operation are pointed out. Results of LACIE estimates of Soviet, U.S. and Canadian wheat production are presented which demonstrate the feasibility and accuracy of the remote-sensing approach for global food and fiber monitoring.

Macdonald, R. B.↗

The Martian atmosphere - Some unanswered questions

The study of the Martian atmosphere and its significance for the possible origin of life on Mars is still very incomplete. Further investigations are needed to define the total volatile inventory, the early history of the atmosphere, and the relationship of the atmosphere to the question of indigenous life. In addition, studies of Venus, comets, and the Jupiter system will add significantly to our abilities to understand the early history of Mars.

Owen, T.↗

A post-Viking view of Martian geologic evolution

The geologic evolution of Mars is reviewed on the basis of data obtained by the Viking and previous missions. Current knowledge of the mean density and moment of inertia factor of Mars are surveyed and the constraints these data place on the structure and composition of the interior are discussed. Inferences drawn about Martian surface composition and mineralogy from lava modeling studies, in situ analyses, remote sensing observations, flow morphometry and investigations of weathering under Martian conditions are presented, and data on the topography, gravity field and structural features are considered in relation to the structure and deformational history of the crust. The temporal and spatial distribution of volcanic units are considered as a constraint on the thermal evolution of the planet, and other constraints on Martian thermal history, such as magnetic field data, are reviewed. Finally, the volatile inventory of Mars is discussed based on elemental and isotopic atmospheric abundance data and geological constraints on H2O and CO2 abundances.

Arvidson, R. E.↗

Evolution of a standard microprocessor-based space computer

An existing in inventory computer hardware/software package (B-1 RFS/ECM) was repackaged and applied to multiple missile/space programs. Concurrent with the application efforts, low risk modifications were made to the computer from program to program to take advantage of newer, advanced technology and to meet increasingly more demanding requirements (computational and memory capabilities, longer life, and fault tolerant autonomy). It is concluded that microprocessors hold promise in a number of critical areas for future space computer applications. However, the benefits of the DoD VHSIC Program are required and the old proliferation problem must be revised.

Fernandez, M.↗

Crop calendars for the US, USSR, and Canada in support of the early warning project

New crop calendars are produced for U.S. regions where several years of periodic growth stage observations are available on a CRD basis. Preexisting crop calendars from the LACIE are also collected as are U.S. crop calendars currently being created for the Foreign Commodities Production Forecast project. For the U.S.S.R. and Canada, no new crop calendars are created because no new data are available. Instead, LACIE crop calendars are compared against simulated normal daily temperatures and against the Robertson wheat and Williams barley phenology models run on the simulated normal temperatures. Severe inconsistencies are noted and discussed. For the U.S.S.R., spring and fall planting dates can probably be estimated accurately from satellite or meteorological data. For the starter model problem, the Feyerherm spring wheat model is recommended for spring planted small grains, and the results of an analysis are presented. For fall planted small grains, use of normal planting dates supplemented by spectral observation of an early stage is recommended. The importance of nonmeteorological factors as they pertain to meteorological factors in determining fall planting is discussed. Crop calendar data available at the Johnson Space Center for the U.S., U.S.S.R., Canada, and other countries are inventoried.

Hodges, T.↗

Minimum variance geographic sampling

Resource inventories require samples with geographical scatter, sometimes not as widely spaced as would be hoped. A simple model of correlation over distances is used to create a minimum variance unbiased estimate population means. The fitting procedure is illustrated from data used to estimate Missouri corn acreage.

Terrell, G. R.↗

Analysis of air quality management with emphasis on transportation sources

The current environment and practices of air quality management were examined for three regions: Denver, Phoenix, and the South Coast Air Basin of California. These regions were chosen because the majority of their air pollution emissions are related to mobile sources. The impact of auto exhaust on the air quality management process is characterized and assessed. An examination of the uncertainties in air pollutant measurements, emission inventories, meteorological parameters, atmospheric chemistry, and air quality simulation models is performed. The implications of these uncertainties to current air quality management practices is discussed. A set of corrective actions are recommended to reduce these uncertainties.

English, T. D.↗

Evaluation of results of US corn and soybeans exploratory experiment: Classification procedures verification test

The classification procedure utilized in making crop proportion estimates for corn and soybeans using remotely sensed data was evaluated. The procedure was derived during the transition year of the Large Area Crop Inventory Experiment. Analysis of variance techniques were applied to classifications performed by 3 groups of analysts who processed 25 segments selected from 4 agrophysical units (APU's). Group and APU effects were assessed to determine factors which affected the quality of the classifications. The classification results were studied to determine the effectiveness of the procedure in producing corn and soybeans proportion estimates.

Carnes, J. G.↗

Earth Resources: a continuing bibliography with indexes

This bibliography lists 337 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system between July 31, 1980 and September 30, 1980. Emphasis is placed on the use of remote sensing and geophysical instrumentation in spacecraft and aircraft to survey and inventory natural resources and urban areas. Subject matter is grouped according to agriculture and forestry, environmental changes and cultural resources, geodesy and cartography, geology and mineral resources, hydrology and water management, data processing and distribution systems, instrumentation and sensors, and economic analysis.

Source record↗

Earth Resources: A continuing bibliography, issue 28

This bibliography lists 436 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system between October 1, 1980 and December 31, 1980. Emphasis is placed on the use of remote sensing and geophysical instrumentation in spacecraft and aircraft to survey and inventory natural resources and urban areas. Subject matter is grouped according to agriculture and forestry, environmental changes and cultural resources, geodesy and cartography, geology and mineral resources, hydrology and water management, data processing and distribution systems instrumentation and sensors, and economic analysis.

Source record↗

An investigation of vegetation and other Earth resource/feature parameters using LANDSAT and other remote sensing data. 1: LANDSAT. 2: Remote sensing of volcanic emissions

A fanning technique based on a simplistic physical model provided a classification algorithm for mixture landscapes. Results of applications to LANDSAT inventory of 1.5 million acres of forest land in Northern Maine are presented. Signatures for potential deer year habitat in New Hampshire were developed. Volcanic activity was monitored in Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Guatemala along with the Mt. St. Helens eruption. Emphasis in the monitoring was placed on the remote sensing of SO2 concentrations in the plumes of the volcanoes.

Birnie, R. W.↗

Earth Resources: A continuing bibliography with indexes, issue 29, April 1981

This bibliography lists 308 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system between January 1, 1981 and March 31, 1981. Emphasis is placed on the use of remote sensing and geophysical instrumentation in spacecraft and aircraft to survey and inventory natural resources and urban areas. Subject matter is grouped according to agriculture and forestry, environmental changes and cultural resources, geodesy and cartography, geology and mineral resources, hydrology and water management, data processing and distribution systems, instrumentation and sensors, and economic analysis.

Source record↗

The application of LANDSAT remote sensing technology to natural resources management. Section 1: Introduction to VICAR - Image classification module. Section 2: Forest resource assessment of Humboldt County.

A teaching module on image classification procedures using the VICAR computer software package was developed to optimize the training benefits for users of the VICAR programs. The field test of the module is discussed. An intensive forest land inventory strategy was developed for Humboldt County. The results indicate that LANDSAT data can be computer classified to yield site specific forest resource information with high accuracy (82%). The "Douglas-fir 80%" category was found to cover approximately 21% of the county and "Mixed Conifer 80%" covering about 13%. The "Redwood 80%" resource category, which represented dense old growth trees as well as large second growth, comprised 4.0% of the total vegetation mosaic. Furthermore, the "Brush" and "Brush-Regeneration" categories were found to be a significant part of the vegetative community, with area estimates of 9.4 and 10.0%.

Fox, L., III↗

Cornell University remote sensing program

High altitude, color infrared aerial photography as well as imagery from Skylab and LANDSAT were used to inventory timber and assess potential sites for industrial development in New York State. The utility of small scale remotely sensed data for monitoring clearcutting in hardwood forests was also investigated. Consultation was provided regarding the Love Canal Landfill as part of environment protection efforts.

Liang, T.↗

Appendix A: Fuelwood availability for a ten megawatt power plant in Tupper Lake, New York, based on remotely sensed and other data

Forested land potentially available for fuelwood harvest within 30 km of Tupper Lake, N.Y. was delineated and classified as to forest using NASA aerial photography and LANDSAT imagery. Published inventory and growth data were used to estimate woody material on the available land. The information submitted to the Energy Office indicates that there is sufficient woody material to supply a 10 MW plant.

Source record↗

Appendix C: A comparative study of small scale remotely sensed data for monitoring clearcutting in hardwood forests

Manual photointerpretation techniques were used to analyze images acquired by high altitude aircraft, the Skylab multispectral and Earth terrain camera (ETC), the LANDSAT multispectral scanner, and the LANDSAT-3 return beam vidicon camera. A color-additive viewer, and digital image analysis were also used on the LANDSAT MSS imagery. The value of each type of remotely sensed data was judged by the ease and accuracy of clearcut identification, and by the amount of detail discernible, especially regarding revegetation. Results of a site study in the Allegheny National Forest, Pennsylvania indicate that high altitude aerial photography, especially color infrared photography acquired during the growing season, is well suited for identifying clearcuts and assessing revegetation. Although photographs acquired with Skylab's ETC also yielded good results, only incomplete inventories of clearcuts could be made using LANDSAT imagery. Results for the Adirondack region of New York State were similar for the aircraft and satellite photography, but even less satisfactory for the LANDSAT imagery.

Hafker, W. R.↗

Appendix E: Research papers. Analysis of landfills with historic airphotos

The nature of landfill-related information that can be derived from existing, or historic, aerial photographs, is reviewed. This information can be used for conducting temporal assessments of landfill existence, land use and land cover, and the physical environment. As such, analysis of low cost, readily available aerial photographs can provide important, objective input to landfill inventories, assessing contamination or health hazards, planning corrective measures, planning waste collection and facilities, and developing on inactive landfills.

Liang, T.↗