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At least 145 records · Page 8

Orbit/launch vehicle tradeoff studies. Earth Observatory Satellite system definition study (EOS)

An evaluation of the Earth Observatory Satellite (EOS) design, performance, and cost factors which affect the choices of an orbit and a launch vehicle is presented. Primary emphasis is given to low altitude (300 to 900 nautical miles) land resources management applications for which payload design factors are defined. The subjects considered are: (1) a mission model, (2) orbit analysis and characterization, (3) characteristics and capabilities of candidate conventional launch vehicles, and space shuttle support. Recommendations are submitted for the EOS-A mission, the Single Multispectral Scanner payload, the Single Multispectral Scanner plus Thematic Mapper payload, the Dual Multispectral Scanner payload, and the Dual Multispectral Scanner plus Thematic Mapper payload.

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Earth Observatory Satellite system definition study. Report 5: System design and specifications. Volume 6: Specification for EOS Central Data Processing Facility (CDPF)

The specifications and functions of the Central Data Processing (CDPF) Facility which supports the Earth Observatory Satellite (EOS) are discussed. The CDPF will receive the EOS sensor data and spacecraft data through the Spaceflight Tracking and Data Network (STDN) and the Operations Control Center (OCC). The CDPF will process the data and produce high density digital tapes, computer compatible tapes, film and paper print images, and other data products. The specific aspects of data inputs and data processing are identified. A block diagram of the CDPF to show the data flow and interfaces of the subsystems is provided.

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Earth Observatory Satellite system definition study. Report 7: EOS system definition report

The Earth Observatory Satellite (EOS) study is summarized to show the modular design of a general purpose spacecraft, a mission peculiar segment which performs the EOS-A mission, an Operations Control Center, a Data Processing Facility, and a design for Low Cost Readout Stations. The study verified the practicality and feasibility of the modularized spacecraft with the capability of supporting many missions in the Earth Observation spectrum. The various subjects considered in the summary are: (1) orbit/launch vehicle tradeoff studies and recommendations, (2) instrument constraints and interfaces, (3) design/cost tradeoff and recommendations, (4) low cost management approach and recommendations, (5) baseline system description and specifications, and (6) space shuttle utilization and interfaces.

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Earth Observatory Satellite system definition study. Report no. 3: Design/cost tradeoff studies. Appendix D: EOS configuration design data. Part 2: Data management system configuration

The Earth Observatory Satellite (EOS) data management system (DMS) is discussed. The DMS is composed of several subsystems or system elements which have basic purposes and are connected together so that the DMS can support the EOS program by providing the following: (1) payload data acquisition and recording, (2) data processing and product generation, (3) spacecraft and processing management and control, and (4) data user services. The configuration and purposes of the primary or high-data rate system and the secondary or local user system are explained. Diagrams of the systems are provided to support the systems analysis.

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Earth Observatory Satellite system definition study. Report no. 3: Design/cost tradeoff studies. Appendix E: EOS program supporting system trade data. Part 2: System trade studies no. 9 - 19

The relative merits of several international data acquisition (IDA) alternatives for the Earth Observatory Satellite (EOS) are established and rated on a cost effectiveness basis. The primary alternatives under consideration are: (1) direct transmission to foreign ground stations, (2) a wideband video tape recorder system for collection of foreign data and processing and distribution from the United States, and (3) a tracking and data relay satellite (TDRS) system for the relay of foreign data to the United States for processing and distribution. A requirements model is established for the analysis on the basis of the heaviest concentration of agricultural areas around the world. The model, the orbit path and the constraints of EOS and data volume summaries are presented. Alternative system descriptions and costs are given in addition to cost-performance summaries.

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Assessing the capability of EOS sensors in measuring ocean-atmosphere moisture exchange

As part of the Science Synergism Studies to identify interdisciplinary Scientific studies, which could be addressed by the Environmental Observing System (EOS), the techniques being developed to measure ocean-atmosphere moisture exchanges using satellite sensors were evaluated. Studies required to use sensors proposed for EOS were examined. A method has been developed to compute the moisture flux using the wind speed, sea surface temperature, and preciptable water measured by satellite sensors. It relies on a statistical model which predicts surface-level humidity from precipitable water. The Scanning Multichannel Microwave Radiometer (SMMR) measures all 3 parameters and was found to be sensitive to the annual cycle and large interannual variations such as the 1982 to 1983 El Nino. There are systematic differences between geophysical parameters measured by Nimbus/SMMR and in situ measurements. After quadratic trends and crosstalks were removed from the parameters through multivariate regressions, the latent heat fluxes computed from SMMR agree with those computed from ship reports to within 30 W/sq m. The poor quality of ship reports may be the cause of a portion of this scatter. Similar results are found using SEASAT/SMMR data. When the scatterometer winds were used instead of the SMMR winds, the difference between the satellite fluxes and the ship fluxes was reduced.

Liu, W. T.↗

The evolution of the spaceborne imaging radar system toward Eos

Progress to date and intended goals in the development of the Spaceborne Imaging Radar (SIR), a SAR remote sensing instrument targeted for carriage on one of the three polar orbiting earth observation system (EOS) platforms in the 1990s, are described. The Shuttle is the current testbed for the SIR, with spaceborne trials being used for testing continually upgraded versions of the three major components of the SIR: the electronics, the antenna and the digital data system. Experimentation is being performed in X-, K-, C- and P-bands in terms of the SNR, view angle, resolution and specific terrestrial features. The test flights are also serving to identify the most effective orbits, with consideration given to the capabilities of other instrumentation being developed for the EOS.

Cimino, J.↗

EOS: A project to investigate the design and construction of real-time distributed Embedded Operating Systems

Project EOS is studying the problems of building adaptable real-time embedded operating systems for the scientific missions of NASA. Choices (A Class Hierarchical Open Interface for Custom Embedded Systems) is an operating system designed and built by Project EOS to address the following specific issues: the software architecture for adaptable embedded parallel operating systems, the achievement of high-performance and real-time operation, the simplification of interprocess communications, the isolation of operating system mechanisms from one another, and the separation of mechanisms from policy decisions. Choices is written in C++ and runs on a ten processor Encore Multimax. The system is intended for use in constructing specialized computer applications and research on advanced operating system features including fault tolerance and parallelism.

Campbell, R. H.↗

Spaceborne laser ranging from EOS

High precision laser ranging measurements from an Earth Observing System (EOS) platform would provide data for conducting a variety of basic geoscience investigations. For example, range data to retroreflectors arranged in grids located at tectonic plate boundaries could be used to study the spatial and temporal distribution of the crustal movements associated with stress accumulation and release in an earthquake cycle. The Geodynamics Laser Ranging System (GLRS) is a proposed facility instrument for EOS that can perform the ranging function as well as simple height-measurement altimetry over ice sheets. This instrument is the derivative of several generations of ground-based laser trackers and prototype laboratory systems. The Geoscience Laser Altimetry/Ranging System (GLARS) is an advanced laser ranging system which would provide higher accuracy ranging observations and detailed altimetric mapping of surface height distributions over land and ice sheets.

Cohen, Steven C.↗

A systems-approach to the design of the Eos data and information system

The task of designing a data and information system responsive to the needs of Eos users is stratified by level and approached with contemporary systems design practices. Appropriate systems design principles are applied at the conceptual design level in this paper. A functional, architectural design is described in terms of elemental composition, top-level functions, and external and internal interfaces. The functional validity of this design has been tested and verified through the use of realistic user scenarios consistent with existing plans for the 1990s, the Space Station era. Technologic and management impediments to the development of the requisite data and information system for Eos are examined and a consistent methodology for developing this system is discussed.

Chase, Robert R. P.↗

Science synergism study for EOS on evolution of desert surfaces

The effectiveness of EOS data as a basis for the study of desert surfaces' evolution is presently evaluated for both long and short term geomorphic evolution. Attention is given to the usefulness of such sensor systems planned for EOS as MODIS for regional vegetation distribution/variability monitoring, HIRIS for visible-near IR observations, TIMS for lithological identification, HMMR and SSMI for soil characteristics, LASA for atmospheric profiles, SAR for surface roughness, ALT for two-dimensional topography, ACR for the calibration of imaging sensors, and ERBE for climate modeling and regional surface albedo variation determinations.

Farr, Tom G.↗

Spacecraft on-board SAR image generation for EOS-type missions

Spacecraft on-board synthetic aperture radar (SAR) image generation is an extremely difficult problem because of the requirements for high computational rates (usually on the order of Giga-operations per second), high reliability (some missions last up to 10 years), and low power dissipation and mass (typically less than 500 watts and 100 Kilograms). Recently, a JPL study was performed to assess the feasibility of on-board SAR image generation for EOS-type missions. This paper summarizes the results of that study. Specifically, it proposes a processor architecture using a VLSI time-domain parallel array for azimuth correlation. Using available space qualifiable technology to implement the proposed architecture, an on-board SAR processor having acceptable power and mass characteristics appears feasible for EOS-type applications.

Liu, K. Y.↗

Plans for the development of EOS SAR systems using the Alaska SAR facility

The Alaska SAR Facility (ASF) program for the acquisition and processing of data from the ESA ERS-1, the NASDA ERS-1, and Radarsat and to carry out a program of science investigations using the data is introduced. Agreements for data acquisition and analysis are in place except for the agreement between NASA and Radarsat which is in negotiation. The ASF baseline system, consisting of the Receiving Ground System, the SAR Processor System and the Archive and Operations System, passed critical design review and is fully in implementation phase. Augments to the baseline system for systems to perform geophysical processing and for processing of J-ERS-1 optical data are in the design and implementation phase. The ASF provides a very effective vehicle with which to prepare for the Earth Observing System (EOS) in that it will aid the development of systems and technologies for handling the data volumes produced by the systems of the next decades, and it will also supply some of the data types that will be produced by EOS.

Carsey, F. D.↗

Earth Observing System (EOS) advanced altimetry

In the post-TOPEX era, satellite radar altimeters will be developed with the capability of measuring the earth's surface topography over a wide swath of coverage, rather than just at the satellite's nadir. The identification of potential spacecraft flight missions in the future was studied. The best opportunity was found to be the Earth Observing System (EOS). It is felt that an instrument system that has a broad appeal to the earth sciences community stands a much better chance of being selected as an EOS instrument. Consequently, the Topography and Rain Radar Imager (TARRI) will be proposed as a system that has the capability to profile the Earth's topography regardless of the surface type. The horizontal and height resolutions of interest are obviously significantly different over land, ice, and water; but, the use of radar to provide an all-weather observation capability is applicable to the whole earth. The scientific guidance for the design and development of this instrument and the eventual scientific utilization of the data produced by the TARRI will be provided by seven science teams. The teams are formed around scientific disciplines and are titled: Geology/Geophysics, Hydrology/Rain, Oceanography, Ice/Snow, Geodesy/Orbit/Attitude, Cartography, and Surface Properties/Techniques.

Parsons, C. L.↗

HIRIS - EOS instrument with high spectral and spatial resolution

The High-Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (HIRIS) is designed for NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS). It will have 10-nm wide spectral bands from 0.4-2.5 microns at 30 m spatial resolution over a 30 km swath. The spectral resolution allows identification of many minerals in rocks and soils, important algal pigments in oceans and inland waters, spectral changes associated with plant canopy biochemistry, composition of atmospheric aerosols, and grain size of snow and contamination by absorbing impurities. The bands will have 12-bit quantization over a dynamic range suitable for bright targets, such as snow. For targets of low brightness, such as water bodies, image-motion compensation will allow gains up to a factor of 8 to increase signal-to-noise ratios. The sensor will be able to point + or - 24 deg crosstrack and +60/-30 deg downtrack. In the 824-km orbit altitude proposed for EOS, the crosstrack pointing capability will allow 4-5 views during a 16-day revisit cycle.

Dozier, Jeff↗

Toward a complete EOS data and information system

Based on NASA EOS data panel analyses, an architectural concept is described in terms of elemental composition, top-level functions, and external and internal interfaces. This concept has been evaluated through the use of realistic user-generated scenarios consistent with existing plans for the 1990s and the Space Station. Developmental approaches for the requisite EOS data and information system are presented and a hybrid methodology for implementing this system is discussed.

Chase, Robert R. P.↗

Physical properties of Deucalionis, Eos, Xanthe-type units in the central equatorial region of Mars

Classification and mapping of surficial units in the central equatorial region of Mars (30 degrees N to 20 degrees S, 57 degrees E to 75 degrees W) using enhanced color images and Mars Consortium data, identified three distinct, high albedo, relatively red surficial units in regions with intermediate to high thermal inertias. These units have distinctive properties and morphologies, occur in different, well-defined areas, and show different seasonal and secular patterns of albedo change. Deucalionis units occupy the classical albedo area of Deucalionis Regio, south of Meridiani Sinus and Sabaeus Sinus, and adjacent areas. Eos forms a bright band that separates the dark, relatively blue Meridiani-type units that dominate the southern part of the study area from intermediate albedo, relatively red Oxia units common in the north. Xanthe forms moderately bright, relatively red, Type 1B crater-streaks and uniform sheet-deposits in and adjacent to parts of Chryse Planitia, including the Viking 1 landing site. Xanthe is always associated with Oxia deposits, and has significantly lower albedos than the Eos materials, which it can be confused with.

Strickland, Edwin L., III↗

Mission operations concepts for Earth Observing System (EOS)

Mission operation concepts are described which are being used to evaluate and influence space and ground system designs and architectures with the goal of achieving successful, efficient, and cost-effective Earth Observing System (EOS) operations. Emphasis is given to the general characteristics and concepts developed for the EOS Space Measurement System, which uses a new series of polar-orbiting observatories. Data rates are given for various instruments. Some of the operations concepts which require a total system view are also examined, including command operations, data processing, data accountability, data archival, prelaunch testing and readiness, launch, performance monitoring and assessment, contingency operations, flight software maintenance, and security.

Kelly, Angelita C.↗