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NASA NTRS2007

Radiometric Calibration of the AWiFS Using Vicarious Calibration Techniques

A radiometric calibration assessment of the AWiFS (Advanced Wide Field Sensor) on the Indian Remote Sensing Resourcesat-1 satellite was performed by the NASA Applied Research & Technology Project Office (formerly the Applied Sciences Directorate) at the John C. Stennis Space Center. A reflectance-based vicarious calibration approach, requiring ground-based measurements coincident with satellite acquisitions and radiative transfer calculations, was used to estimate at-sensor radiance. The AWiFS is a 4-band, multispectral, moderate-resolution (60 m) imaging sensor that operates in the visible through short-wave infrared spectrum and is currently being considered as a Landsat-like alternative. Several study sites near the Stennis Space Center that attempted to span the dynamic range of the sensor were employed. Satellite at-sensor radiance values were compared to those estimated to determine the sensor's radiometric accuracy. The results of this evaluation provide the user community with an independent assessment of the radiometric accuracy of AWiFS image products, which are commercially available through GeoEye. These results are an extension of an independent assessment made by the University of Arizona Remote Sensing Group, the South Dakota State University Satellite Calibration Group & Image Processing Lab, and the NASA Applied Sciences Directorate at the John C. Stennis Space Center the previous year.

Pagnutti, Mary↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

The Application of Remote Sensing and Machine Learning to Improve Early Warning Systems for Harmful Algal Events in the Highland Lake Chain, TX

Beginning in 2019, harmful algal events have caused canine deaths in both Lady Bird Lake and Lake Travis located near Austin, Texas. These two reservoirs are part of the larger Highland Lakes chain, managed by the City of Austin Department of Watershed Protection (COA DWP) and the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), which fulfill municipal, commercial, and agricultural water demands. Given the recent increase in favorable environmental conditions for algal events in central Texas, NASA DEVELOP partnered with LCRA and COA DWP to improve monitoring and early detection of algal events, utilizing satellite remote sensing and machine learning. Spatially and temporally varied chlorophyll a concentrations, cyanobacteria detections, turbidity, and water surface temperature products are used as environmental proxies. Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) and the Sentinel-2 MultiSpectral Instrument (MSI) data were used to provide a combined revisit time of up to ~3 days and < 30 m per pixel products. Chlorophyll a concentrations were estimated using a pre-trained Mixture Density Network, and cyanobacteria detection was accomplished using the Broad Wavelength Algae Index, which can differentiate algal blooms from algal proliferations (mats). In situ data were used to validate remotely sensed measurements and quantify uncertainties. Preliminary results show a good fit between the modeled output and in situ observations, suggesting that remote sensing data can be used to retrieve biogeochemical properties and/or inherent optical properties (IOPs) of water columns in these inland human-made lakes. Uncertainties were introduced from the sensitivity to atmospheric correction, inherent mismatch between satellite and sampling data, and a relatively lower signal-to-noise ratio over water. The resulting products enable near real-time monitoring of environmental proxies relevant to algal event presence in the Highland Lakes chain, and will ultimately support water management, decision making, and risk communication.

Shuyu Chang↗
NASA NTRS1981

A multiband radiometer and data acquisition system for remote sensing field research

Specifications are described for a recently developed prototype multispectral data acquisition system which consists of multiband radiometer with 8 bands between 0.4 and 12.5 micrometers and a data recording module to record data from the radometer and ancillary sources. The systems is adaptable to helicopter, truck, or tripod platforms, as well as hand-held operation. The general characteristics are: (1) comparatively inexpensive to acquire, maintain and operate; (2) simple to operate and calibrate; (3) complete with data hardware and software; and (4) well documented for use by researchers. The instrument system is to be commercially available and can be utilized by many researchers to obtain large numbers of accurate, calibrated spectral measurements. It can be a key element in improving and advancing the capability for field research in remote sensing.

Bauer, M. E.↗
NASA NTRS1981

A prospective approach to coastal geography from satellite

A forecasting protocol termed the "prospective approach' was used to examine probable futures relative to coastal applications of satellite data. Significant variables include the energy situation, the national economy, national Earth satellite programs, and coastal zone research, commercial activity, and regulatory activity. Alternative scenarios for the period until 1986 are presented. Possible response by state/local remote sensing centers include operational applications for users, input to geo-base information systems (GIS), development of decision-making algorithms using GIS data, and long term research programs for coastal management using merged satellite and traditional data.

Munday, J. C., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Video Recording Of Images In Laser Remote Sensing

Timing technique enables recording of images in laser remote sensing of environment. Timings of laser pulse, shutter, and video frame synchronized. Technique also used in industrial or commercial processes requiring clear sighting of laser beams relative to their surroundings.

Kalshoven, James E., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS2003

NASA IKONOS Multispectral Radiometric Calibration and 3-Year Temporal Stability Assessment

Radiometric calibration of commercial imaging satellite products is required to ensure that science and application communities can place confidence in the imagery they use and can fully understand its properties. Inaccurate radiometric calibrations can lead to erroneous decisions and invalid conclusions and can limit intercomparisons with other system. In addition, the user community has little or no insight into the design and operation of commercial sensors or into the methods involved in generating commercial products. To address this calibration need, the NASA Stennis Space Center (SSC) Earth Science Applications (ESA) Directorate established a commercial satellite imaging radiometric calibration team consisting of three independent groups: NASA, SSC,ESA, the University of Arizona Remote Sensing Group, and South Dacota State University. Each group determined the absolute radiometric calibration coefficients of the Space Imaging IKONOS 4-band, 4 m multispectral product covering the visible through near-infrared spectral region. For a three year period beginning in 2000, each team employed some variant of a reflectance-based vicarious calibration approach, requiring ground-based measurements coincident with IKONOS image acquisitions and radiative transfer calculations. Several study sites throughout the United States were employed that covered nearly the entire dynamic range of the IKONOS sensor. IKONOS at-sensor radiance values were compared to those estimated by each independent group to determine the IKONOS sensor's radiometric accuracy and stability. Over 10 individual vicariously determined at-sensor radiance estimates were used each year. When combined, these estimates provided a high-precision radiometric gain calibration coefficient. No significant calibration offset was observed. The results of this evaluation provide the scientific community with an independent assessment of the IKONOS sensor's absolute calibration and temporal stability over the 3-year period. While the techniques and method described in this paper reflect those developed at the NASA SSC, the results of the entire team are included.

Pagnutti, Mary↗
NASA NTRS2006

Wireless Command-and-Control of UAV-Based Imaging LANs

Dual airborne imaging system networks were operated using a wireless line-of-sight telemetry system developed as part of a 2002 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imaging mission over the USA s largest coffee plantation on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. A primary mission objective was the evaluation of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) 802.11b wireless technology for reduction of payload telemetry costs associated with UAV remote sensing missions. Predeployment tests with a conventional aircraft demonstrated successful wireless broadband connectivity between a rapidly moving airborne imaging local area network (LAN) and a fixed ground station LAN. Subsequently, two separate LANs with imaging payloads, packaged in exterior-mounted pressure pods attached to the underwing of NASA's Pathfinder-Plus UAV, were operated wirelessly by ground-based LANs over independent Ethernet bridges. Digital images were downlinked from the solar-powered aircraft at data rates of 2-6 megabits per second (Mbps) over a range of 6.5 9.5 km. An integrated wide area network enabled payload monitoring and control through the Internet from a range of ca. 4000 km during parts of the mission. The recent advent of 802.11g technology is expected to boost the system data rate by about a factor of five.

Herwitz, Stanley↗
NASA NTRS2009

Low Cost Rapid Response Spacecraft, (LCRRS): A Research Project in Low Cost Spacecraft Design and Fabrication in a Rapid Prototyping Environment

The Low Cost Rapid Response Spacecraft (LCRRS) is an ongoing research development project at NASA Ames Research Center (ARC), Moffett Field, California. The prototype spacecraft, called Cost Optimized Test for Spacecraft Avionics and Technologies (COTSAT) is the first of what could potentially be a series of rapidly produced low-cost satellites. COTSAT has a target launch date of March 2009 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle. The LCRRS research system design incorporates use of COTS (Commercial Off The Shelf), MOTS (Modified Off The Shelf), and GOTS (Government Off The Shelf) hardware for a remote sensing satellite. The design concept was baselined to support a 0.5 meter Ritchey-Chretien telescope payload. This telescope and camera system is expected to achieve 1.5 meter/pixel resolution. The COTSAT team is investigating the possibility of building a fully functional spacecraft for $500,000 parts and $2,000,000 labor. Cost is dramatically reduced by using a sealed container, housing the bus and payload subsystems. Some electrical and RF designs were improved/upgraded from GeneSat-1 heritage systems. The project began in January 2007 and has yielded two functional test platforms. It is expected that a flight-qualified unit will be finished in December 2008. Flight quality controls are in place on the parts and materials used in this development with the aim of using them to finish a proto-flight satellite. For LEO missions the team is targeting a mission class requiring a minimum of six months lifetime or more. The system architecture incorporates several design features required by high reliability missions. This allows for a true skunk works environment to rapidly progress toward a flight design. Engineering and fabrication is primarily done in-house at NASA Ames with flight certifications on materials. The team currently employs seven Full Time Equivalent employees. The success of COTSATs small team in this effort can be attributed to highly cross trained engineering team. The engineers on the team are capable of functioning in two to three engineering disciplines which allows highly efficient interdisciplinary engineering collaboration. NASA Ames is actively proposing mission concepts to use the COTSAT platform to accomplish science. If the COTSAT team validates this approach, it will allow the possibility for remote sensing missions to produce a high science yield for minimal cost and reduced schedule. Another aim of this approach is to yield an accelerated pathway from a Phase A study to mission launch. Leaders in the aerospace industry have shown interest in this methodology. Several visits and tours have been given in the lab. Although the concept of low-cost development is initially met with skepticism from some within the prohibitive aerospace industry, the project's efforts have been highly praised for the accomplishments met within a limited time and budget. Overall the development has progressed tremendously well and the team is answering critical questions for current and future low-cost small satellite developments. COTSAT subsystems are not limited to a specific weight class and could be adapted to produce smaller platforms and to fit various launch vehicles.

Spremo, Stevan↗
NASA NTRS2015

Crosscutting Airborne Remote Sensing Technologies for Oil and Gas and Earth Science Applications

Airborne imaging spectroscopy has evolved dramatically since the 1980s as a robust remote sensing technique used to generate 2-dimensional maps of surface properties over large spatial areas. Traditional applications for passive airborne imaging spectroscopy include interrogation of surface composition, such as mapping of vegetation diversity and surface geological composition. Two recent applications are particularly relevant to the needs of both the oil and gas as well as government sectors: quantification of surficial hydrocarbon thickness in aquatic environments and mapping atmospheric greenhouse gas components. These techniques provide valuable capabilities for petroleum seepage in addition to detection and quantification of fugitive emissions. New empirical data that provides insight into the source strength of anthropogenic methane will be reviewed, with particular emphasis on the evolving constraints enabled by new methane remote sensing techniques. Contemporary studies attribute high-strength point sources as significantly contributing to the national methane inventory and underscore the need for high performance remote sensing technologies that provide quantitative leak detection. Imaging sensors that map spatial distributions of methane anomalies provide effective techniques to detect, localize, and quantify fugitive leaks. Airborne remote sensing instruments provide the unique combination of high spatial resolution (<1 m) and large coverage required to directly attribute methane emissions to individual emission sources. This capability cannot currently be achieved using spaceborne sensors. In this study, results from recent NASA remote sensing field experiments focused on point-source leak detection, will be highlighted. This includes existing quantitative capabilities for oil and methane using state-of-the-art airborne remote sensing instruments. While these capabilities are of interest to NASA for assessment of environmental impact and global climate change, industry similarly seeks to detect and localize leaks of both oil and methane across operating fields. In some cases, higher sensitivities desired for upstream and downstream applications can only be provided by new airborne remote sensing instruments tailored specifically for a given application. There exists a unique opportunity for alignment of efforts between commercial and government sectors to advance the next generation of instruments to provide more sensitive leak detection capabilities, including those for quantitative source strength determination.

hyperspectral↗
NASA NTRS1992

The preservation of LANDSAT data by the National Land Remote Sensing Archive

Digital data, acquired by the National Landsat Remote Sensing Program, document nearly two decades of global agricultural, environmental, and sociological change. The data were widely applied and continue to be essential to a variety of geologic, hydrologic, agronomic, and strategic programs and studies by governmental, academic, and commercial researchers. Landsat data were acquired by five observatories that use primarily two digital sensor systems. The Multispectral Scanner (MSS) was onboard all five Landsats, which have orbited over 19 years; the higher resolution Thematic Mapper (TM) sensor acquired data for the last 9 years on Landsats 4 and 5 only. The National Land Remote Sensing Archive preserves the 800,000 scenes, which total more than 60 terabytes of data, on master tapes that are steadily deteriorating. Data are stored at two terabytes of data, on master tapes that are steadily deteriorating. Data are stored at two locations (Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Landover, Maryland), in three archive formats. The U.S. Geological Survey's EROS Data Center has initiated a project to consolidate and convert, over the next 4 years, two of the archive formats from antiquated instrumentation tape to rotary-recorded cassette magnetic tape. The third archive format, consisting of 300,000 scenes of MSS data acquired from 1972 through 1978, will not be converted because of budgetary constraints. This data preservation project augments EDC's experience in data archiving and information management, expertise that is critical to EDC's role as a Distributed Active Archive Center for the Earth Observing System, a new and much larger national earth science program.

Boyd, John E.↗
NASA NTRS2019

Shape Sensing for Wings with Spars and Ribs Using Simulated Strain

Active trim shape control can be used to minimize error between target and actual aircraft trim shape during flight. Trim shape sensing for aircraft during flight is not only important for highly flexible aircraft, such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Helios Prototype remotely piloted flying wing aircraft, but also for a delta-wing type aircraft, such as a supersonic commercial transport aircraft. A two-step theory utilizing distributed strain for a real-time shape sensing of a full three-dimensional structure has been introduced previously. This study focuses on the application of the two-step theory to finite element models of a wing with spars and ribs such as the X-59 QueSST aircraft (Lockheed Martin Corporation, Bethesda, Maryland), a tapered wing, a dihedral/anhedral wing, and a stiffened dihedral/anhedral wing. A finely meshed finite element structural model is desired to capture accurate curvature distributions along the neutral axes of the wing cross sections during pre-test analysis for shape sensing of a wing with ribs and spars. The two-step theory used in this study gives excellent deformation correlation with the MSC/NASTRAN (MSC Software, Newport Beach, California) results along the neutral axis for all test cases used in this study except the X-59 QueSST aircraft.

strain↗
NASA NTRS1991

Center for Mapping, Ohio State University

There are many future opportunities for Centers for the Commercial Development of Space (CCDS) activities that are directly linked to industry strategic objectives. In the fields of mapping, remote sensing, and geographic information systems (GIS), the near term opportunities may exceed all that have occurred in the past 10 years. It is strongly believed that a national spatial data infrastructure must be established in this country, if we are to remain a leader in the information age.

Starr, Lowell↗
NASA NTRS2006

Two-micron Detector Development using Sb-based Material Systems

NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC), in partnership with the University of Delaware (UD), developed AlGaAsSb/InGaAsSb custom-designed phototransistors in the 0.6-2.5 micron wavelength range for applications to laser remote sensing. The phototransistor s performance greatly exceeds the previously reported results at this wavelength range in the literature. The performances of the custom-designed phototransistor, such as responsivity, detectivity, and gain, are improved significantly as compared to the previously published detectors as well as commercial detectors. Detection in the 0.6- to 2.5- micron broadband with a single phototransistor will result in reduction or elimination of heavy and complex optical components now required for multiple wavelength detection in atmospheric remote sensors resulting in smaller, lighter, simpler instruments with higher performance. This high performance broadband phototransistor will eliminate the need for high power laser for active remote sensing and also the Si (1.0- micron cutoff) and InGaAs (extended 2.3- micron cutoff) detectors. The developed broadband phototransistor will be applicable for the next generation of space-based Earth observations and other planetary instruments for active and passive remote sensing with substantial reduction in size, complexity, and weight to measure water vapor, methane, and carbon dioxide in planetary atmospheres as well as aerosol, cloud, water vapor, O2, CO, and CO2 for a broad range of applications to Earth and Space Science Missions under Science Mission Directorate (SMD) research programs.

Abedin, M. N.↗
NASA NTRS2006

IMU/GPS System Provides Position and Attitude Data

A special navigation system is being developed to provide high-quality information on the position and attitude of a moving platform (an aircraft or spacecraft), for use in pointing and stabilization of a hyperspectral remote-sensing system carried aboard the platform. The system also serves to enable synchronization and interpretation of readouts of all onboard sensors. The heart of the system is a commercially available unit, small enough to be held in one hand, that contains an integral combination of an inertial measurement unit (IMU) of the microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) type, Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers, a differential GPS subsystem, and ancillary data-processing subsystems. The system utilizes GPS carrier-phase measurements to generate time data plus highly accurate and continuous data on the position, attitude, rotation, and acceleration of the platform. Relative to prior navigation systems based on IMU and GPS subsystems, this system is smaller, is less expensive, and performs better. Optionally, the system can easily be connected to a laptop computer for demonstration and evaluation. In addition to airborne and spaceborne remote-sensing applications, there are numerous potential terrestrial sensing, measurement, and navigation applications in diverse endeavors that include forestry, environmental monitoring, agriculture, mining, and robotics.

Lin, Ching Fang↗
NASA NTRS2013

Unique Offerings of the ISS as an Earth Observing Platform

The International Space Station offers unique capabilities for earth remote sensing. An established Earth orbiting platform with abundant power, data and commanding infrastructure, the ISS has been in operation for twelve years as a crew occupied science laboratory and offers low cost and expedited concept-to-operation paths for new sensing technologies. Plug in modularity on external platforms equipped with structural, power and data interfaces standardizes and streamlines integration and minimizes risk and start up difficulties. Data dissemination is also standardized. Emerging sensor technologies and instruments tailored for sensing of regional dynamics may not be worthy of dedicated platforms and launch vehicles, but may well be worthy of ISS deployment, hitching a ride on one of a variety of government or commercial visiting vehicles. As global acceptance of the urgent need for understanding Climate Change continues to grow, the value of ISS, orbiting in Low Earth Orbit, in complementing airborne, sun synchronous polar, geosynchronous and other platform remote sensing will also grow.

Cooley, Victor M.↗
NASA NTRS2021

Sky-Scanning Sun-Tracking Airborne Radiometer (3STAR): Instrument Design, Flight Testing, and Tracking Performance

The Sky-Scanning, Sun-Tracking Airborne Radiometer (3STAR) adapts commercial radiometer technology developed for the ocean color research community to airborne measurement of spectrally resolved solar irradiance and sky radiance. These atmospheric observations are used to derive aerosol optical depth (AOD), supporting localized AOD inputs for atmospheric correction of satellite and airborne data over terrestrial and aquatic (including optically dark) targets. The ability to regionally “tune” atmospheric correction schemes with relevant spatial AOD supports constraining atmospheric correction of remote sensing reflectance. Very wide dynamic range has been achieved for multi-channel band-pass-filter-radiometers originally designed for deployment into the water column. By actively tracking and directly pointing to the Sun, the light attenuation by aerosol particles in the atmospheric column can be quantified. These measurements improve knowledge of atmospheric constituents and the atmospheric corrections required to improve remote sensing capabilities for interpreting reflectance measurements from the Earth surface. 3STAR incorporates a custom Sun-tracking/sky-scanning pointing head, a Sun-tracking camera, and a commercially available, cylindrical, 19-channel radiometer tube assembly. An accurate and responsive mount and tracking system has been developed and certified to NASA and Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) airworthiness standards for deployment into the aircraft slipstream. Ground and flight testing indicate typical tracking errors of less than 0.1 degrees, well within the field of view of the radiometer as required to minimize measurement uncertainty from alignment error. Preliminary AOD measurements compare to within 0.013 with 15 measurements from an Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) Cimel instrument at 500 nm wavelength and low solar angle.

Atmosphere↗
NASA NTRS2019

Optical Studies of Low Reflectance Materials at Solar Reflective Wavelengths in Support of Remote Sensing Instrument Development and Calibration

We report the Bidirectional Reflection Distribution Function (BRDF) and Total Hemispheric Reflectance (THR) results of several low reflectance materials using a Table-top Goniometer (TTG) and a commercial UV-VIS-NIR spectrophotometer in support of the NASA GSFC PACE project. The newly developed TTG was utilized to perform the BRDF measurements for several black candidate samples in in-plane and out-of-plane configurations from 300 nm to 2000 nm. These measurements demonstrated the BRDF capability of the TTG to calibrate the dim calibration target with a reflectance of approximately 2 % for the OCI of the PACE project. The spectral THR of the black samples from 200 nm to 2500 nm was determined using a 10 % reflectance diffuse black standard and a monochromator-based light source equipped with a 150 mm diameter integrating sphere. The THR measurement is used to compliment and validate the BRDF measurements acquired from these samples. In this presentation, we also show examples of UV induced BRDF and THR changes on two black coatings. We will discuss validation of the BRDF scale, source stability, measurement repeatability, instrument signature, and uncertainty components.

Bidirectional Reflection Distribution Function (BR↗