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At least 235 records · Page 13

Atmospheric attenuation relative to earth-viewing orbital sensors

Earth viewing space missions offer exciting new possibilities in several earth resources disciplines - geography, hydrology, agriculture, geology, and oceanography, to name a few. A most useful tool in planning experiments and applying space technology to earth observation is a statistical description of atmospheric parameters. Four dimensional atmospheric models and a world wide cloud model are used to produce atmospheric attenuation models to predict degradation effects for all classes of sensors for application to earth sensing experiments from spaceborne platforms. To insure maximum utility and application of these products, the development of an interaction model of microwave energy and atmospheric variables provides a complete description of the effects of atmospheric moisture upon microwaves.

Brown, S. C.↗

Calibration and evaluation of Skylab altimetry for geodetic determination of the geoid

The author has identified the following significant results. The analysis was based on a time series intrinsic relationship between the satellite ephemeris, altimeter measured ranges, and the corresponding a priori values of subsatellite geoidal heights. Using, least squares processing with parameter weighting, the objective was to recover: (1) the absolute geoidal heights of the subsatellite points; and (2) the associated altimeter calibration constants. Preliminary results from Skylab mission SL-2 are given, using various combinations from two sets of orbit ephemeris and altimeter ranges. It is shown that correctly scaled geoidal heights cannot be deduced by merely subtracting the altimeter range from the geodetic height of the satellite unless the satellite ephemeris and the altimeter have no unknown significant systematic errors or biases and drifts. It is emphasized that the primary objective of the Skylab altimeter is to determine the instrument feasibility. Any additional applications of the data such as for geodesy, geophysics, and oceanography are desirable. Although accurate orbit is required for such applications, it is not a prerequisite for determining the instrument feasibility.

Mourad, A. G.↗

Applications of remote sensing data to the Alaskan environment

The ERTS program provides a means to overcome the formidable logistic and economic costs of preparing environmental surveys of the vast and relatively unexplored regions of Alaska. There is an excellent potential in satellite remote sensing to benefit Federal, state, local, and private agencies, by providing a new synoptic data base which is necessary for the preparation of the needed surveys and the search for solutions to environmental management problems. One approach in coupling satellite data to Alaskan problems is a major program initiated by the University of Alaska and funded by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. This included 12 projects whose aims were to study the feasibility of applying ERTS data to the disciplines of ecology, agriculture, hydrology, wildlife management, oceanography, geology, glaciology, volcanology, and archaeology.

Belon, A. E.↗

Digital image enhancement techniques used in some ERTS application problems

Enhancements discussed include contrast stretching, multiratio color displays, Fourier plane operations to remove striping and boosting MTF response to enhance high spatial frequency content. The use of each technique in a specific application in the fields of geology, geomorphology and oceanography is demonstrated.

Goetz, A. F. H.↗

Earth Resources: A continuing bibliography with indexes, issue 1

This bibliography lists 616 reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system between January 1974 and March 1974. Emphasis is placed on the use of remote sensing and geophysical instrumentation in spacecraft and aircraft to survey and inventory, natural resources and urban areas. Subject matter is grouped according to agriculture and forestry, environmental changes and cultural resources, geodesy and cartography, geology and mineral resources, oceanography and marine resources, hydrology and water management, data processing and distribution systems, instrumentation and sensors, and economic analysis.

Source record↗

Impacts of telemation on modern society

A 90-day study was made of teleoperators, robotics, and remote systems technology in the United States. The purpose of the study was to survey state-of-the-art technology in this field, determine major user needs in medicine, mining, and oceanography, and suggest initiatives where federal research and development funding would most significantly impact the application of this technology to the alleviation of explicit national social problems. Following a review of the findings of this study commencing with user needs, speculation is made on impending developments in the application of telemation to remote emergency medical care and remote mining systems.

Alexander, A. D., III↗

Satellite studies of turbidity and circulation patterns in Delaware Bay

Satellite imagery from four successful ERTS-1 passes over Delaware Bay during different portions of the tidal cycle are interpreted with special emphasis on visibility of suspended sediment and its use as a natural tracer for gross circulation patters. The MSS red band (band 5) appears to give the best contrast, although the sediment patterns are represented by only a few neighboring shades of grey. Color density slicing improves the differentiation of turbidity levels. However, color additive enhancements are of limited value since most of the information is in a single color band. The ability of ERTS-1 to present a synoptic view of the surface circulation over the entire bay is shown to be a valuable and unique contribution of ERTS-1 to coastal oceanography.

Klemas, V.↗

Earth and Ocean Physics Applications Program /EOPAP/

Abbreviated description of the objectives, experiments, spacecraft, and required schedules of a proposed NASA program blending geophysics, oceanography, and space technology in order to facilitate the prediction of earthquakes, storm surges, tidal waves, and the condition of ocean surfaces. Relevant measurements from space will be carried out by LAGEOS, SAESATS-1, GEOPAUSE, GRAVSAT, and SEASATS-2 satellites contributing data on earth dynamics, sea surface states, satellite dynamics, and earth gravity. The development of suitable mathematical models for predicting events on earth on the basis of satellite data is considered.

Vonbun, F. O.↗

The S-193 radar altimeter experiment

The Skylab S-193 altimeter experiment utilizes a 10- and 100-ns pulse length, 13.9-GHz earth-pointed radar system to obtain earth-surface backscatter measurements from the Skylab spacecraft. Objectives of the experiment are to obtain precision measurements of surface profile for uses in geodesy, oceanography, and earth physics, and to measure radar-signal characteristics from an earth-orbit geometry to provide design information for future radar remote-sensors. The technical approach is that of measuring the power impulse response of the scattering surface. The hardware is designed to operate in five modes: waveform or impulse-response measurement and altitude determination; radar cross-section experiment; signal correlation experiment; 10-nsec pulse-compression evaluation; and nadir-seeker experiment.

Mcgoogan, J. T.↗

ERTS-B (Earth Resources Technology Satellite)

Mission plans and objectives of the ERTS 2 Satellite are presented. ERTS 2 follow-on investigations in various scientific disciplines including agriculture, meteorology, land-use, geology, water resources, oceanography, and environment are discussed. Spacecraft design and its sensors are described along with the Delta launch vehicle and launch operations. Applications identified from ERTS 1 investigations are summarized.

Source record↗

The economic value of remote sensing of earth resources from space: An ERTS overview and the value of continuity of service. Volume 9: Oceans

The impact of remote sensing upon marine activities and oceanography is presented. The present capabilities of the current Earth Resources Technology Satellite (ERTS-1), as demonstrated by the principal investigators are discussed. Cost savings benefits are quantified in the area of nautical and hygrographic mapping and charting. Benefits are found in aiding coastal zone management and in the fields of weather (marine) prediction, fishery harvesting and management, and potential uses for ocean vegetation. Difficulties in quantification are explained, the primary factor being that remotely sensed information will be of greater benefit as input to forecasting models which have not yet been constructed.

Lietzke, K. R.↗

A summary of ERTS-1 data collection system applications

Geographically, applications were made over nearly the entire area where direct readout could be accomplished using the data acquisition stations in the ERTS-1 system. The extreme areas included Iceland, the Canadian Arctic, Alaska, Hawaii and Central America. In the discipline sense the majority of applications were in the water resources area with other applications being formally and informally reported in meteorology, oceanography, volcano surveillance and forestry. Installation and maintenance of the data collection platforms, as is true with nearly all new systems, was not accomplished without difficulty. On the whole, however, it has gone well enough so that it is agreed that it is a system which is amenable to installation in a variety of physical situations and the installation is accomplished with an ease commensurate with eventual use in an operational system.

Salomonson, V. V.↗

Radar studies related to the earth resources program

The radar systems research discussed is directed toward achieving successful application of radar to remote sensing problems in such areas as geology, hydrology, agriculture, geography, forestry, and oceanography. Topics discussed include imaging radar and evaluation of its modification, study of digital processing for synthetic aperture system, digital simulation of synthetic aperture system, averaging techniques studies, ultrasonic modeling of panchromatic system, panchromatic radar/radar spectrometer development, measuring octave-bandwidth response of selected targets, scatterometer system analysis, and a model Fresnel-zone processor for synthetic aperture imagery.

Holtzman, J.↗

Application of remote sensing data to surveys of the Alaskan environment

Coupling of satellite data to resource management problems in Alaska is implemented through feasibility studies of applicability of Landsat data to specific environmental surveys in ecology, agriculture, hydrology, wildlife management, oceanography, geology, etc.; and using the results of these studies to extend the benefits of satellite data applications to the operational needs of mission-oriented agencies of federal, state, and regional governments, as well as private industry. Activities designed to encourage the participation of users in the Landsat program at levels most appropriate to the users' interests are described and include: observation, coordination, and information exchange; training courses and workshops; data exchange; consulting services; data processing services; user participation in University research projects; and university participation in the operational projects of user agencies. Progress in these areas is reported. The effectiveness of this broad-based approach in overcoming the initial apprehensiveness of users is demonstrated.

Belon, A. E.↗

Remote Sensing of Earth Resources: A literature survey with indexes (1970 - 1973 supplement). Section 1: Abstracts

Abstracts of reports, articles, and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system between March 1970 and December 1973 are presented in the following areas: agriculture and forestry, environmental changes and cultural resources, geodesy and cartography, geology and mineral resources, oceanography and marine resources, hydrology and water management, data processing and distribution systems, instrumentation and sensors, and economic analysis.

Source record↗

Aviation's role in earth resources surveys

The role of satellites designed to make a wide variety of earth observations is discussed along with the renewed interest in the use of aircraft as platforms for similar and complementary earth resources surveys. Surveys covering the areas of forestry, agriculture, hydrology, oceanography, geology, and geography are included. Aerials surveys equipped for nonphotographic remote sensing and aircraft flights synchronized with satellite observations to provide correlated data are discussed. Photographs are shown to illustrate preliminary results from several of the test sites.

Syvertson, C. A.↗

Calibration and evaluation of Skylab altimetry for geodetic determination of the geoid

The author has identified the following significant results. The Skylab altimeter experiment has proven the capability of the altimeter for measurement of sea surface topography. The geometric determination of the geoid/mean sea level from satellite altimetry is a new approach having significant applications in many disciplines including geodesy and oceanography. A generalized least squares collocation technique was developed for determination of the geoid from altimetry data. The technique solves for the altimetry geoid and determines one bias term for the combined effect of sea state, orbit, tides, geoid, and instrument error using sparse ground truth data. The influence of errors in orbit and a priori geoid values are discussed. Although the Skylab altimeter instrument accuracy is about plus or minus 1m, significant results were obtained in identification of large geoidal features such as over the Puerto Rico trench. Comparison of the results of several passes shows that good agreement exists between the general slopes of the altimeter geoid and the ground truth, and that the altimeter appears to be capable of providing more details than are now available with best known geoids.

Mourad, A. G.↗