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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.

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At least 199 records · Page 11
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1972

King Crater and its environs, part M

Superb photographs of King Crater were returned by the Apollo 16 crew. The metric and panoramic cameras provided stereoscopic coverage with which high quality topographic maps may be made. King crater, approximately 75 km in diameter and, on the average, 3.8 km deep, is among the most significant features photographed and visually studied from lunar orbit on the Apollo 16 mission. It is the freshest crater on the far side in its size range and has several unique characteristics. (1) Although its ejecta blanket displays very sharp features, the crater does not appear to have extensive ray systems and secondary crater chains. (2) As depicted for the first time by Apollo 16 photographs, the ejecta blanket is strewn with numerous flow fronts and scarps. (3) A flat and smooth, dark, lavalike deposit 15 km across is on the northern rim of the crater. (4) The central peak of the crater is a Y-shaped structure that begins at the southern rim. (5) Bright units that are aligned with the central peak on the northern wall and rim suggest that a preexisting tabular body was excavated by the cratering process.

El-Baz, F.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Evaluation of usefulness of SKYLAB EREP S-190 and S-192 imagery in multistage forest surveys

The author has identified the following significant results. To transfer points from topographic maps to space platform imagery a generalized resection program has been developed in which any resection parameter can be enforced in the solution to any desired extent. This allows for the use of orbital parameters in the resection solution. In addition to the resection program, a technique has been developed applicable to space platform photography with which elevations can be assigned to digitzed map points through the use of digital terrain models. Using this technique tedious manual elevation assignment for thousands of digitized points can be avoided. The software to project the map points to the space platform image has also been developed and tested. Programs are being tested to relate the projected image coordinates to digital image tape locations so that any desired sample unit can be retrieved from the digital tapes with considerable accuracy.

Langley, P. G.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Tornado occurrences related to overshooting cloud-top heights as determined from ATS pictures

A sequence of ATS 3 pictures including the development history of large anvil clouds near Salina, Kansas was enlarged by NASA into 8X negatives which were used to obtain the best quality prints by mixing scan lines in 8 steps to minimize checker-board patterns. These images resulted in the best possible resolution, permitting use to compute the heights of overshooting tops above environmental anvil levels based on cloud shadow relationships along with the techniques of lunar topographic mapping. Of 39 heights computed, 6 were within 15 miles of reported positions of 3 tornadoes. It was found that the tornado proximity tops were mostly less than 5000 ft, with one exception of 7000 ft, suggesting that tornadoes are most likely to occur when overshooting height decreases. In order to simulate surface vortices induced by cloud-scale rotation and updraft fields, a laboratory model was constructed. The model experiment has shown that the rotation or updraft field induces a surface vortex but their combination does prevent the formation of the surface vortex. This research leads to a conclusion that the determination of the cloud-top topography and its time variation is of extreme importance in predicting severe local storms for a period of 0 to 6 hours.

Fujita, T. T.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Break-up characteristics of Chena River Basin

The author has identified the following significant results. Utilization of the Zoom transfer scope enabled the plotting of the snow conditions on topographical maps and the transferring of the contour lines onto the aerial photographs, so that the snow conditions could be studied for dependence and exposure.

Carlson, R. F.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Use of ERTS data for a multidisciplinary analysis of Michigan resources

The author has identified the following significant results. A computerized procedure has been developed to correlate coordinates from topographic maps and/or aerial photographs with ERTS data coordinates. Application to data from other multispectral scanners is anticipated. In the procedure, a map transformation from earth coordinates to ERTS point and line numbers is calculated using selected ground control points and the method of least squares. The map transformation is then applied to the earth coordinates of selected areas to obtain the corresponding ERTS point and line numbers. An optional provision allows moving the boundaries of the plots inwards by variable distances (typically half a resolution element) so the selected pixels will not overlap adjacent features.

Anderson, A. L.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Surface properties working group

The objectives of the Mars surface properties working group are described. The objectives were: (1) determine a simple reference surface that would adequately represent the shape of the planet for cartographic purposes; (2) monitor the topographic results and to assess the relative calibration and accuracies of these techniques, thereby leading to a composite topographic map of the planet; and (3) facilitate the exchange of data in closely connected disciplines. The shape, topography, and isobaric surface are discussed along with the gravity field, and crustal density model. It was found that there is no simple reference figure for the planetary surface, although an offset, triaxial ellipsoid is adequate for most purposes.

Whitehead, A. B.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Mariner 9 ultraviolet spectrometer experiment - Photometry and topography of Mars.

Reflectance properties of Mars were measured in a 100-A band (centered at 3050 A) by the UV spectrometer on board Mariner 9 during the period from Nov. 14, 1971 to Mar. 1, 1972. A topographic map of Mars based on the scattering of UV light from the Mars atmosphere (after clearing of the dust storm) is illustrated. The UV light which is Rayleigh-scattered by the Mars molecular atmosphere (with allowance for uniform turbidity) is proportional to surface pressure regardless of the atmospheric temperature structure. Comparison with Mariner 9 radio occultation measurements determines the fraction of total reflectance that is due to atmospheric scattering.

Hord, C. W.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Stream network analysis from orbital and suborbital imagery, Colorado River Basin, Texas

The author has identified the following significant results. Orbital SL-2 imagery (earth terrain camera S-190B), received September 5, 1973, was subjected to quantitative network analysis and compared to 7.5 minute topographic mapping (scale: 1/24,000) and U.S.D.A. conventional black and white aerial photography (scale: 1/22,200). Results can only be considered suggestive because detail on the SL-2 imagery was badly obscured by heavy cloud cover. The upper Bee Creek basin was chosen for analysis because it appeared in a relatively cloud-free portion of the orbital imagery. Drainage maps were drawn from the three sources digitized into a computer-compatible format, and analyzed by the WATER system computer program. Even at its small scale (1/172,000) and with bad haze the orbital photo showed much drainage detail. The contour-like character of the Glen Rose Formation's resistant limestone units allowed channel definition. The errors in pattern recognition can be attributed to local areas of dense vegetation and to other areas of very high albedo caused by surficial exposure of caliche. The latter effect caused particular difficulty in the determination of drainage divides.

Baker, V. R.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Techniques for computer-aided analysis of ERTS-1 data, useful in geologic, forest and water resource surveys

Forestry, geology, and water resource applications were the focus of this study, which involved the use of computer-implemented pattern-recognition techniques to analyze ERTS-1 data. The results have proven the value of computer-aided analysis techniques, even in areas of mountainous terrain. Several analysis capabilities have been developed during these ERTS-1 investigations. A procedure to rotate, deskew, and geometrically scale the MSS data results in 1:24,000 scale printouts that can be directly overlayed on 7 1/2 minutes U.S.G.S. topographic maps. Several scales of computer-enhanced "false color-infrared" composites of MSS data can be obtained from a digital display unit, and emphasize the tremendous detail present in the ERTS-1 data. A grid can also be superimposed on the displayed data to aid in specifying areas of interest.

Hoffer, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Extraction and utilization of space acquired physiographic data for water resources development

ERTS-1 satellite imagery was evaluated as a means of providing useful watershed physiography information. From these data physiographic parameters such as drainage basin area and shape, drainage density, stream length and sinuosity, and the percentage of a watershed occupied by major land use types were obtained in three study areas. The study areas were: (1) Southwestern Wisconsin; (2) Eastern Colorado, and (3) portions of the Middle Atlantic States. Using ERTS-1 imagery at 1:250,000 and 1:100,000 scales it was found that drainage basin area and shape and stream sinuosity were comparable (within 10%) in all study areas to physiographic measurements derived from conventional topographic maps at the same scales.

Rango, A.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Multidisciplinary geoscientific experiments in central Europe

The author has identified the following significant results. Studies were carried out in the fields of geology-pedology, coastal dynamics, geodesy-cartography, geography, and data processing. In geology-pedology, a comparison of ERTS image studies with extensive ground data led to a better understanding of the relationship between vegetation, soil, bedrock, and other geologic features. Findings in linear tectonics gave better insight in orogeny and ore deposit development for prospecting. Coastal studies proved the value of ERTS images for the updating of nautical charts, as well as small scale topographic maps. A plotter for large scale high speed image generation from CCT was developed.

Bannert, D.↗
NASA NTRS1975

An evaluation of Skylab (EREP) remote sensing techniques applied to investigations of crustal structure

The author has identified the following significant results. Film positives (70mm) from all six S190A multispectral photographic camera stations for any one scene can be registered and analyzed in a color additive viewer. Using a multispectral viewer, S190A and B films can be projected directly onto published geologic and topographic maps at scales as large as 1:62,500 and 1:24,000 without significant loss of detail. S190A films and prints permit the detection of faults, fractures, and other linear features not visible in any other space imagery. S192 MSS imagery can be useful for rock-type discrimination studies and delineation of linear patterns and arcuate anomalies. Anomalous color reflectances and arcuate color patterns revealed mineralized zones, copper deposits, vegetation, and volcanic rocks in various locations such as Panamint Range (CA), Greenwater (Death Valley), Lava Mountains (CA), northwestern Arizona, and Coso Hot Springs (CA).

Bechtold, I. C.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Development and application of operational techniques for the inventory and monitoring of resources and uses for the Texas coastal zone

The author has identified the following significant results. The most significant ADP result was the modification of the DAM package to produce classified printouts, scaled and registered to U.S.G.S., 71/2 minute topographic maps from LARSYS-type classification files. With this modification, all the powerful scaling and registration capabilities of DAM become available for multiclass classification files. The most significant results with respect to image interpretation were the application of mapping techniques to a new, more complex area, and the refinement of an image interpretation procedure which should yield the best results.

Jones, R.↗
NASA NTRS1975

A comparison of 9-inch, 70mm, and 35mm cameras

Successful aerial photography depends on aerial cameras that provide acceptable photographs within the cost restrictions of the job. For topographic mapping where ultimate accuracy is required, only large-format mapping cameras will suffice. For mapping environmental patterns of vegetation, soils, or water pollution, 9-inch cameras often exceed accuracy and cost requirements, and small formats may be an overall better choice. In choosing the best camera for environmental mapping, relative capabilities and costs must be understood. This study compares resolution, photo interpretation potential, metric accuracy, and cost of 9-inch, 70 mm, and 35 mm cameras for obtaining simultaneous color and color-infrared photography for environmental mapping purposes.

Clegg, R. H.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Remote sensing requirements as suggested by watershed model sensitivity analyses

A continuous simulation watershed model has been used to perform sensitivity analyses that provide guidance in defining remote sensing requirements for the monitoring of watershed features and processes. The results show that out of 26 input parameters having meaningful effects on simulated runoff, 6 appear to be obtainable with existing remote sensing techniques. Of these six parameters, 3 require the measurement of the areal extent of surface features (impervious areas, water bodies, and the extent of forested area), two require the descrimination of land use that can be related to overland flow roughness coefficient or the density of vegetation so as to estimate the magnitude of precipitation interception, and one parameter requires the measurement of distance to get the length over which overland flow typically occurs. Observational goals are also suggested for monitoring such fundamental watershed processes as precipitation, soil moisture, and evapotranspiration. A case study on the Patuxent River in Maryland shows that runoff simulation is improved if recent satellite land use observations are used as model inputs as opposed to less timely topographic map information.

Salomonson, V. V.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Experiment S-213 selenocentric geodetic reference system

Development and implementation of a photogrammetric system was undertaken to provide accurate selenodetic positions and topographic mapping of all areas overflown by orbital spacecraft. The system was installed in the scientific instrument module (SIM) bay of the Apollo command service module (CSM). In theory, this system provided everything a photogrammetrist could want: the position of each exposure station would be obtained from Earth-based tracking; the orientation of each photograph could be computed from the synchronized stellar exposure and the lock-angles determined by preflight calibration; and the scale of each stereomodel would be obtained directly from the altimeter data. Operationally, the data acquisition was adequate, but less than optimum. Systematic errors are believed to be the result of the primitive orbit determination procedures in use at the time of the Apollo 15 mission, inadequate models of the lunar gravity field, and spacecraft oscillations induced by uncoupled thrusting and various activities of the astronauts.

Doyle, F. J.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Delineation of geological problems for use in urban planning

Activities of the University of Alabama in support of state and local planning commissions are reported. Demonstrations were given of the various types of remotely sensed images available from U-2, Skylab, and LANDSAT; and their uses and limitations were discussed. Techniques to be used in determining flood prone areas were provided for environmental studies. A rapid, inexpensive method for study was developed by which imagery is copied on 35 mm film and projected on existing topographic maps for measuring delta volume and growth.

Hughes, T. H.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Application of remote sensing technology to the solution of problems in the management of resources in Indiana

The author has identified the following significant results. The Lydick, South Bend West, South Bend East, and Osceola quadrangles were successfully classified into twenty-six cover types with a high degree of accuracy. The ability of this computer-assisted classification system to delineate various stages of urban development, from heavy industry to new suburban development, was of particular interest to the planning commission. The classification is clearly more beneficial than the existing agricultural soils and topographic maps, because it shows the current ground cover conditions all on one map. It shows how an area is developing along with the specific type and location of new development. The classification also shows at a glance whether development is taking place in an area suitable for development or if growth is taking place in prime agricultural land, areas of poor foundation material, or other places where development is not desirable.

Weismiller, R. A.↗