Engineering topics
Publications and source records attributed to Ruiz, R. M..
We present here a brief overview of the Microgravity Fundamental Physics discipline requirements for a Low Temperature Microgravity Physics Facility and describe the plans for the development of this facility which will be attached to the Japanese Experiment Module Exposed Facility on Board the International Space Station.
The Critical Dynamics in Microgravity Experiment, DYNAMX, will investigate the effects on the superfluid transition in 4 He of currents generated by heat flow, measuring the thermal conductivity in the fluid as a function of applied heat. DYNAMX will also take advantage of the weightless environment to measure the conductivity properties in the region of the interface between the two phases. Thus, DYNAMX represents an experiment that will explore a system driven far from equilibrium. This paper will describe the science objectives, the current design of the experiment apparatus, the steps being taken to prepare this experiment for flight, and the results of ground-based feasibility demonstrations now underway.
The Viking orbiter cameras returned over 9000 images of Mars during the 6-month nominal mission. Digital image processing was required to produce products suitable for quantitative and qualitative scientific interpretation. Processing included the production of surface elevation data using computer stereophotogrammetric techniques, crater classification based on geomorphological characteristics, and the generation of color products using multiple black-and-white images recorded through spectral filters. The Image Processing Laboratory of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory was responsible for the design, development, and application of the software required to produce these 'second-order' products.
The Mariner 9 spacecraft was inserted into orbit around Mars in November 1971. The two vidicon camera systems returned over 7300 digital images during orbital operations. The high volume of returned data and the scientific objectives of the Television Experiment made development of automated digital techniques for the removal of camera system-induced distortions from each returned image necessary. This paper describes the algorithms used to remove geometric and photometric distortions from the returned imagery. Enhancement processing of the final photographic products is also described.
The Mariner 9 television experiment used two cameras to photograph Mars from an orbiting spacecraft. For quantitative analysis of the image data transmitted to earth, the pictures were processed by digital computer to remove camera-induced distortions. The removal process was performed by the JPL Image Processing Laboratory (IPL) using calibration data measured during prelaunch testing of the cameras. The Reduced Data Record (RDR) is the set of data which results from the distortion-removal, or decalibration, process. The principal elements of the RDR are numerical data on magnetic tape and photographic data. Numerical data are the result of correcting for geometric and photometric distortions and residual-image effects. Photographic data are reproduced on negative and positive transparency films, strip contact and enlargement prints, and microfiche positive transparency film. The photographic data consist of two versions of each TV frame created by applying two special enhancement processes to the numerical data.
Digital computer techniques for Mars surface imagery systematic video data distortions quantification and correction onboard Mariner 6 and 7
Mariner near encounter pictures with maximum discriminability, applying algorithms for contrast and resolution enhancement and noise removal