Evaluation of radar and infrared imagery of sedimentary rock terrane, south-central Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Radar and infrared imaging techniques for differentiating rock types and delineating structural features
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Radar and infrared imaging techniques for differentiating rock types and delineating structural features
Ultrasonic etching delineates microstructural features not discernible in specimens prepared for metallographic analysis by standard chemical etching procedures. Cavitation bubbles in ultrasonically excited water produce preferential damage /etching/ of metallurgical phases or grain boundaries, depending on hardness of metal specimens.
Anticipating sinkhole collapse by using remote sensors to identify and delineate relic features
Remote sensing technology and data from instrumented satellites and high altitude aircraft are proposed for mapping land use on a current national basis, for monitoring changes and trends, and for creating statistical models which can be manipulated to demonstrate the probable effects of proposed land use and of environmental changes over large areas. Both Apollo spacecraft and aircraft photography were used; the spacecraft pictures delineated the cropland and urban boundaries more clearly. A computer model is also proposed for statistical analysis and for printing out updated maps automatically; this model will include a data bank which can be updated rapidly with changes detected by the computer.
The area of study was the southeastern Arizona test site and three areas within the site were studied in detail: Safford, Point of Pines, and Fort Apache-White River. These areas have terrain contrast ranging from flat arid regions to high alpine mountains. Data were obtained from the Apollo 9 photographic missions, high altitude aerial photography, and simulated ERTS-A data from high altitude aircraft. Various monoscopic and steroscopic devices were used to analyze the features, and film density variations were studied. No ground-based data were permitted. Thematic maps were prepared for geology, geomorphology, vegetation, hydrology, and soils. Interpreted boundaries were delineated, with no collaborative data used in the interpretation. Ground-based data were gathered during the overflight of high altitude aerial photography. A further study was made using the ground truth, and the data gathered on the ground were compared with original mapping. 80% to 85% of the interpretations in the areas checked were correct. It was proved that it is possible to monitor gross features of the vigor of crop lands and vegetative cover, to type soils and classify geologic features, and to determine hydrologic conditions.
Progress made in the development of a technique for identifying and delinating benthic and shoreline communities using multispectral imagery is described. Images were collected with a multispectral scanner system mounted in a C-47 aircraft. Concurrent with the overflight, ecological ground- and sea-truth information was collected at 19 sites in the bay and on the shore. Preliminary processing of the scanner imagery with a CDC 1604 digital computer provided the optimum channels for discernment among different underwater and coastal objects. Automatic mapping of the benthic plants by multiband imagery and the mapping of isotherms and hydrodynamic parameters by digital model can become an effective predictive ecological tool when coupled together. Using the two systems, it appears possible to predict conditions that could adversely affect the benthic communities. With the advent of the ERTS satellites and space platforms, imagery data could be obtained which, when used in conjunction with water-level and meteorological data, would provide for continuous ecological monitoring.
Progress on research designed to test the usability of multispectral, high altitude, remotely sensed data to analyze ecological and hydrological conditions in estuarine environments is presented. Emphasis was placed on data acquired by NASA aircraft over the Patuxent River Chesapeake Bay Test Site, No. 168. Missions were conducted over the Chesapeake Bay at a high altitude flight of 18,460 m and a low altitude flight of 3070. The principle objectives of the missions were: (1) to determine feasibility of identifying source and extent of water pollution problems in Baltimore Harbor, Chesapeake Bay and major tributaries utilizing high altitude, ERTS analogous remote sensing data; (2) to determine the feasibility of mapping species composition and general ecological condition of Chesapeake Bay wetlands, utilizing high altitude, ERTS analogous data; (3) to correlate ground spectral reflectance characteristics of wetland plant species with tonal characteristics on multispectral photography; (4) to determine usefulness of high altitude thermal imagery in delinating isotherms and current patterns in the Chesapeake Bay; and (5) to investigate automated data interpretive techniques which may be usable on high altitude, ERTS analogous data.
A local-time survey of the low energy proton and electron intensities precipitated into the earth's atmosphere during periods of magnetic quiescence was constructed. A typical, individual satellite crossing of this region in each of eight local-time sectors was selected from a library of similar observations with the polar-orbiting satellite Injun 5. The trapping boundary for more energetic electron intensities, E 45 keV, is a natural coordinate for delineating the boundary between the two major types of lower energy, 50 or = E or = 15,000 eV. The main contributors to electron energy influx are inverted V precipitation poleward of the trapping boundary and the plasma sheet intensities equatorward. These are interpreted in terms of a magnetospheric model.
The computer executive functional system design concepts derived from study of the Space Station/Base are presented. Information Management System hardware configuration as directly influencing the executive design is reviewed. The hardware configuration and generic executive design requirements are considered in detail in a previous report (System Configuration and Executive Requirements Specifications for Reusable Shuttle and Space Station/Base, 9/25/70). This report defines basic system primitives and delineates processes and process control. Supervisor states are considered for describing basic multiprogramming and multiprocessing systems. A high-level computer executive including control of scheduling, allocation of resources, system interactions, and real-time supervisory functions is defined. The description is oriented to provide a baseline for a functional simulation of the computer executive system.
The study of color infrared photography of Tehuacan Valley, Mexico was made to determine the applicability of remotely sensed data to archeology. Photography was interpreted without prior knowledge of the area, followed by a field check to determine accuracy of the original interpretations and to evaluate causes of successes and failures. Results indicate that the visibility of sites depends primarily on its environmental situation, and also that the delineation of environments and microenvironments is especially easy with this type of film. Furthermore, the age and size of the sites are not necessarily the deciding factors in their discernment.
The overall capability is described and delineated of a new digital computer program for simulation of space shuttle vehicle staging maneuvers. The important distinctive feature of the program is that it enables simulation of linkage-type separation devices (as well as all the more usual types) and includes the effects of interference aerodynamics and thrust impingement. A general flow description and a moderately detailed description of the major simulation components are presented. Some typical simulation results are shown, and the flexibility and growth potential of the basic simulation are discussed.
The baseline experiment program is concerned with future space experiments and cover the scientific disciplines of astronomy, space physics, space biology, biomedicine and biotechnology, earth applications, materials science, and advanced technology. The experiments within each discipline are grouped into functional program elements according to experiments that support a particular area of research or investigation and experiments that impose similar or related demand on space station support systems. The experiment requirements on module subsystems, experiment operating modes and time profiles, and the role of the astronaut are discussed. Launch and rendezvous with the space station, disposal, and on-orbit operations are delineated. The operational interfaces between module and other system elements are presented and include space station and logistic system interfaces. Preliminary launch and on-orbit environmental criteria and requirements are discussed, and experiment equipment weights by functional program elements are tabulated.
The extent of the radiation effects problem is delineated, along with the status of protective designs for 15 representative science instruments. Designs for protecting science instruments from radiation damage is discussed for the various instruments to be employed in the Grand Tour type missions. A literature search effort was undertaken to collect science instrument components damage/interference effects data on the various sensitive components such as Si detectors, vidicon tubes, etc. A small experimental effort is underway to provide verification of the radiation effects predictions.
Results of a pitot pressure investigation of the flow field on the lee side of a delta wing shuttle orbiter are presented. The results delineate the extent of the lee side separated flow and give a tentative cross sectional definition to the shock wave structure for angles of attack of 15 deg and 30 deg. It is shown that while, in general, the effects of Reynolds number on the flow field are not large, detailed effects are observed that may have significant bearing on the heating estimate. Two examples are cited for an angle of attack of 15 deg; these are: (1) The scope of the vertical tail exposed to the unseparated flow increases with increasing Reynolds number and (2) the depth of the separated flow adjacent ot where the bow wave crosses the wing appears to decrease with increasing Reynolds number. In addition, it is shown that at a spanwise station outboard of the wing-fuselage juncture, increasing Reynolds number decreased the pitot pressure in the unseparated flow. This defect of pitot pressure appears associated with the flow over the wing-fillet-fuselage juncture.
Boundary delineation from space photographs as a precursor to area typing was studied for characterization of land use for resource mapping near Alice Springs, Australia, where both boundary detection and categorization are complicated by the variations of the landscape. The detection and meaning of boundaries, and sources of confusion during categorization are discussed.
An Apollo 15 panoramic camera frame was used as a base for a geologic sketch map of an area near Proclus Crater. The map was prepared to investigate the usefulness of the panoramic camera photography in large-scale geologic mapping and to assess the geologic value of the area as a potential Apollo landing site. The photographs, taken under high solar illumination, resulted in good definition of albedo features, and stereoscopic viewing provided extreme clarity of topographic relief with terrain units easily delineated. The geological characteristics of the area as evidenced by the high-resolution photographs is discussed. It is concluded that the panoramic camera photographs reveal a wealth of detail and are eminently suited for geologic mapping purposes. In addition, the Proclus area, as a potential landing site, offers relatively rough plains terrain.
High altitude color and color infrared photography of the tri-county region of southeast Florida made it feasible to evaluate its potential for quantifying the dimensions of regional change. Attention was focused upon three main aspects of change in the region, which in fact overlap. These were; (1) the transformation of the southeast Florida wetlands; (2) the expansion of agriculture; and (3) the growth of the urbanized area. The development analyzed covered the period of thirteen years from 1956 to 1969. Results using this new 18 km photography were superior because of the degree of resolution, the combined power of color and color infrared interpretation, and the large area covered by each frame. The greatest advantage of high altitude imagery is the time-saving element, since it is possible to delineate and identify major geographic patterns over thousands of sq km very rapidly.
The various factors involved in the development of solar photovoltaic power systems for terrestrial application are discussed. The discussion covers the tradeoffs, compromises, and optimization studies which must be performed in order to develop a viable terrestrial solar array system. It is concluded that the technology now exists for the fabrication of terrestrial solar arrays but that the economics are prohibitive. Various approaches to cost reduction are presented, and the general requirements for materials and processes to be used are delineated.