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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 253 records · Page 14

South Slough Water Resources: Monitoring Changes in Water Quality to Identify Stressors in Eelgrass Extent Throughout the Coos Estuary

The Coos estuary in Southern Oregon supports a variety of habitats, including eelgrass (Zostera marina) meadows. Eelgrass meadows provide shelter and sustenance to local and migratory wildlife, including commercially important fishes, and cultural resources to local communities. These ecosystem services establish eelgrass as an ecologically, economically, and culturally important resource. However, the extent and density of eelgrass meadows within this estuary have declined substantially since 2005, threatening the ecosystem services they provide. NASA DEVELOP partnered with the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve and the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians’ Department of Natural Resources to generate time-series maps of the water quality conditions (chlorophyll-a, turbidity) and eelgrass extent in the Coos estuary from 2016 to 2023 to better understand the conditions driving eelgrass decline. The DEVELOP team used NASA Earth observations including Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI), Landsat 9 OLI-2, and the European Space Agency’s Sentinel-2 Multispectral Instrument (MSI) to generate these time-series maps. The team faced limitations in the feasibility of detecting eelgrass within the Coos Estuary, including spectral resolution, tidal phase, and turbidity. These limitations indicate additional in situ data collection will be necessary for accurate eelgrass assessment. Meanwhile, the team determined it is feasible to assess turbidity and chlorophyll-a within the Coos Estuary using remote satellite data. These tools enabled the research partners to assess water quality characteristics within the Coos Estuary at a greater spatial scale and may provide a method of inexpensive preliminary investigation of eelgrass meadow locations.

eelgrass↗

Atmospheric Mining in the Outer Solar System: Interplanetary Transfer Vehicles, In-Situ Resource Utilization, and Moon Mining Issues

Atmospheric mining in the outer solar system has been investigated as a means of fuel production for high energy propulsion and power. Fusion fuels such as Helium 3 (3He) and deuterium can be wrested from the atmospheres of Uranus and Neptune and either returned to Earth or used in-situ for energy production. Helium 3 and deuterium were the primary gases of interest with hydrogen being the primary propellant for nuclear thermal solid core and gas core rocket-based atmospheric flight. A series of analyses were undertaken to investigate resource capturing aspects of atmospheric mining in the outer solar system. This included the gas capturing rate, storage options, and different methods of direct use of the captured gases. While capturing 3He, large amounts of hydrogen and 4He are produced. With these two additional gases, the potential for fueling small and large fleets of additional exploration and exploitation vehicles exists. Analyses of orbital transfer vehicles (OTVs), landers, and in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) mining factories are included. Preliminary observations are presented on near-optimal selections of moon base orbital locations, OTV power levels, and OTV and lander rendezvous points. Aerospacecraft with closed cycle gas core propulsion are used to capture the 3He and deuterium from the outer planet atmospheres. Water ice on the outer planet moons has been identified as critical resources for refueling the moon landers and the nuclear electric OTVs. The numbers of interplanetary transfer vehicles (ITVs) and the launch vehicles will be presented. Preliminary design parameters for the ITVs and their payload limits will be assessed. The number of mining machines and their associated issues are addressed.

chemical propulsion↗

NASA to Survey Earth's Resources

A wide variety of the natural resources of earth and man's management of them will be studied by an initial group of foreign and domestic scientists tentatively chosen by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to analyze data to be gathered by two earth-orbiting spacecraft. The spacecraft are the first Earth Resources Technology Satellite (ERTS-A) and the manned Skylab which will carry an Earth Resources Experiment Package (EREP). In the United States, the initial experiments will study the feasibility of remote sensing from a satellite in gathering information on ecological problems. The objective of both ERTS and EREP aboard Skylab is to obtain multispectral images of the surface of the earth with high resolution remote sensors and to process and distribute the images to scientific users in a wide variety of disciplines. The ERTS-A, EREP, and Skylab systems are described and their operation is discussed.

Mittauer, R. T.↗

Inventory and analysis of natural vegetation and related resources from space and high altitude photography

A high altitude photomosaic resource map of Site 29 was produced which provided an opportunity to test photo interpretation accuracy of natural vegetation resource features when mapped at a small (1:133,400) scale. Helicopter reconnaissance over 144 previously selected test points revealed a highly adequate level of photo interpretation accuracy. In general, the reasons for errors could be accounted for. The same photomosaic resource map enabled construction of interpretive land use overlays. Based on features of the landscape, including natural vegetation types, judgements for land use suitability were made and have been presented for two types of potential land use. These two, agriculture and urbanization, represent potential land use conflicts.

Poulton, C. E.↗

Application of remote sensing to water resources problems

The following conclusions were reached concerning the applications of remote sensing to water resources problems: (1) Remote sensing methods provide the most practical method of obtaining data for many water resources problems; (2) the multi-disciplinary approach is essential to the effective application of remote sensing to water resource problems; (3) there is a correlation between the amount of suspended solids in an effluent discharged into a water body and reflected energy; (4) remote sensing provides for more effective and accurate monitoring, discovery and characterization of the mixing zone of effluent discharged into a receiving water body; and (5) it is possible to differentiate between blue and blue-green algae.

Clapp, J. L.↗

Resource analysis and land use planning with space and high altitude photography

Photographic scales providing resource data for decision making processes of land use and a legend system for barren lands, water resources, natural vegetation, agricultural, urban, and industrial lands in hierarchical framework are applied to various remote sensing techniques. Two natural vegetation resource and land use maps for a major portion of Maricopa County, Arizona are also produced.

Schrumpf, B. J.↗

Orbital surveys and state resource management

The resource management implications of satellite earth resource surveys for the state of Ohio are discussed. Discussions cover environmental problems, planning future developments, and short- and long-range benefits of such resource management.

Wukelic, G. E.↗

An integrated study of earth resources in the state of California based on ERTS-1 and supporting aircraft data

There are no author-identified significant results in this report. Results of an integrated study of earth resources in the state of California using ERTS-1 and supporting aircraft data are presented. Areas of investigation cover (1) regional agricultural surveys; (2) solving water resource management problems; (3) resource management in Northern California using ERTS-1 data; (4) analysis of river meanders; (5) assessment and monitoring change in west side of the San Joaquin Valley and central coastal zone of state; (6) assessment and monitoring of changes in Southern California environment; (7) digital handling and processing of ERTS-1 data; (8) use of ERTS-1 data in educational and applied research programs of the Agricultural Extension Service; and (9) identification, classification, and mapping of salt affected soils.

Colwell, R. N.↗

Measurement of Hydrologic Resource Parameters Through Remote Sensing in the Feather River Headwaters Area

The four problem are as being investigated are: (1) determination of the feasibility of providing the resource manager with operationally useful information through the use of remote sensing techniques; (2) definition of the spectral characteristics of earth resources and the optimum procedures for calibrating tone and color characteristics of multispectral imagery (3) determination of the extent to which humans can extract useful earth resource information through remote sensing imagery; (4) determination of the extent to which automatic classification and data processing can extract useful information from remote sensing data.

Thorley, G. A.↗

A feasibility study of using remotely sensed data for water resource models

Remotely sensed data were collected to demonstrate the feasibility of applying the results to water resource problems. Photographs of the Wolf Creek watershed in southwestern Colorado were collected over a one year period. Cloud top temperatures were measured using a radiometer. Thermal imagery of the Wolf Creek Pass area was obtained during one pre-dawn flight. Remote sensing studies of water resource problems for user agencies were also conducted. The results indicated that: (1) remote sensing techniques could be used to assist in the solution of water resource problems; (2) photogrammetric determination of snow depths is feasible; (3) changes in turbidity or suspended material concentration can be observed; and (4) surface turbulence can be related to bed scour; and (5) thermal effluents into rivers can be monitored.

Ruff, J. F.↗

Application of ERTS-1 Data to Aid in Solving Water Resources Management Problems in the State of California

Investigations within the State of California have emphasized the direct utilization of the supplemental data source afforded by the Earth Resources Technology Satellite-1 (ERTS-1) imagery. A user-oriented study has been underway for several years to identify and develop application methodology for remotely sensed information available from several platform levels, including low and high flights by NASA's U2 aircraft, and other manned and unmanned devices. The University of California has pursued both basic and applied research in remote sensing, through ongoing studies supported by NASA, and in cooperation with state agencies responsible for water resources and related fields. This report reviews the applications of ERTS-1 and supplementary imagery sources applicable to water resources planning, operations, and management.

Burgy, R. H.↗

The first Earth Resources Technology Satellite (ERTS-1)

The first Earth Resources Technology Satellite (ERTS-1) makes images of the earth's surface in four portions of the electromagnetic spectrum with sufficient spatial resolution and with a minimum of geometric distortions, so that these images may be applied experimentally to the study of geophysical processes relating to earth resources, to the exploration and conservation of these resources, and to the assessments of environmental stresses. During the first six months of operation, ERTS-1 has imaged 6.5 million square kilometers of the earth's surface every day, covering most major land masses and coastal zones as well as both polar regions of this planet. These images as well as the results of their analyses are available to all people throughout the world. Scientific investigators of all countries have been invited to participate in the utilization of ERTS-1 observations. Many of them have already demonstrated the great efficiency, economy, and reliability of making earth surveys from space.

Nordberg, W.↗

Skylab experiments. Volume 2: Remote sensing of earth resources

This volume covers the broad area of earth resources in which Skylab experiments will be performed. A brief description of the Skylab program, its objectives, and vehicles is included. Section 1 introduces the concept and historical significance of remote sensing, and discusses the major scientific considerations involved in remotely sensing the earth's resources. Sections 2 through 6 provide a description of the individual earth resource sensors and experiments to be performed. Each description includes a discussion of the experiment background and scientific objectives, the equipment involved, and a discussion of significant experiment performance areas.

Source record↗

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

In an effort to bridge the gap between the research community and the user agencies, this investigation was designed to take the remote sensing technology and products of that technology to the user agencies and to assist them in the use of this technology. The first semi-annual report summarizes the progress which has been made in the following specific projects: (1) pilot study for land use inventory of the Great Lakes Watershed; (2) resource inventory of Marion County (Indianapolis), Indiana; (3) resource inventory of 8 central Indiana counties for the Indiana Heartland Coordinating Commission; (4) applications within the Indiana Department of Natural Resources; (5) applications within the Indiana Department of Commerce; and (6) applications within the USDA Soil Conservation Service.

Landgrebe, D. A.↗

Evaluation of ERTS-1 imagery in mapping and managing soil and range resources in the Sand Hills region of Nebraska

The author has identified the following significant results. Interpretations of imagery from the Earth Resources Technology Satellite (ERTS-1) indicate that soil associations and attendant range sites can be identified on the basis of vegetation and topography using multitemporal imagery. Optical density measurements of imagery from the visible red band of the multispectral scanner(MSS band 5) obtained during the growing season were related to field measurements of vegetative biomass, a factor that closely parallels range condition class on specific range sites. ERTS-1 imagery also permitted inventory and assessment of center-pivot irrigation systems in the Sand Hills region in relation to soil and topographic conditions and energy requirements. Four resource maps of the Upper Loup Natural Resource District located entirely within the Sand Hills region were prepared from ERTS-1 imagery.

Drew, J. V.↗

Multistage, multiband and sequential imagery to identify and quantify non-forest vegetation resources

Earth Resources photographs from Apollo 6, 7, and 9 and photographs taken during Gemini 4, were used in the research along with high altitude and conventional aerial photography. A unified land use and resource analysis system was devised and used to develop a mapping legend. The natural vegetation, land use, macrorelief, and landforms of northern Maricopa County, Arizona, were analyzed and inventoried. This inventory was interpreted in relation to the critical problem of urban expansion and agricultural production in the study area. The central thrust of the research program has been to develop methods for use of space and small-scale, high-altitude aerial photography to develop information for land use planning and resource allocation decisions.

Driscoll, R. S.↗

The United States earth resources survey program and ERTS experiments benefit highlights

With the launch of the first Earth Resources Technology Satellite in July 1972 a major new tool has become available for decision making in the assessment, exploitation, and management of the earth's resources on a national and international basis. The current status of the earth resources survey program is discussed and the future potential is reviewed. The supportive roles of all stages of the system, including surface, aircraft, and satellite components are noted. Specific cases of application of ERTS data are presented together with a discussion of benefits that might accrue. Need for cooperative, coordinated efforts between participants is emphasized.

Jaffe, L.↗

Preliminary utilization of Iran's ERTS-1 data in the field of geology and water resources

Preliminary analysis of a number of selected ERTS-1 images undertaken in the fields of geology and water resources for the purpose of testing its applicability and usefulness for mapping the natural resources of Iran identified a number of geologic and hydrologic phenomena, such as previously unknown faults, streams, and lakes. Due to a number of limiting factors, the results of this study are by no means conclusive; yet, the encouraging results obtained demonstrate the importance of satellite imagery for multidisciplinary resource analysis purposes in Iran.

Akhavi, M. S.↗