Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “photogrammetric”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 253 records · Page 14
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1990

Convective dynamics - Panel report

Aspects of highly organized forms of deep convection at midlatitudes are reviewed. Past emphasis in field work and cloud modeling has been directed toward severe weather as evidenced by research on tornadoes, hail, and strong surface winds. A number of specific issues concerning future thrusts, tactics, and techniques in convective dynamics are presented. These subjects include; convective modes and parameterization, global structure and scale interaction, convective energetics, transport studies, anvils and scale interaction, and scale selection. Also discussed are analysis workshops, four-dimensional data assimilation, matching models with observations, network Doppler analyses, mesoscale variability, and high-resolution/high-performance Doppler. It is also noted, that, classical surface measurements and soundings, flight-level research aircraft data, passive satellite data, and traditional photogrammetric studies are examples of datasets that require assimilation and integration.

Carbone, Richard↗
NASA NTRS1990

Reach performance while wearing the Space Shuttle launch and entry suit during exposure to launch accelerations

A crew of four veteran astronaut/pilots were subjected to sustained linear accelerations of up to 3G(x) in order to quantify crew reach performance while wearing the currently used Launch and Entry Suit (LES). Photogrammetric techniques were used to quantify magnitudes of reach in any direction while subjects rode a centrifuge. Subjects exhibited small changes of reach capability in the +x (forward) direction which ranged from an improvement of 2.04 cm to a decrease of 14.4 cm while reach performance in the +z (overhead) direction was improved in three of four subjects, indicating that any task which could be accomplished under exposure to 1G(x) could definitely be done at 3G(x). The data from this experiment demonstrated that Shuttle crews in training can expect to maintain all of the overhead reach capability evident in good simulator runs and suffer only moderate degradation in the forward reach performance during the launch phase of an actual Shuttle mission.

Bagian, James P.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Measurement of surface microtopography using helicopter-mounted stereo film cameras and two stereo matching techniques

A common problem in acquiring ground-truth data for use in microwave interaction modeling is the capture of surface roughness data that are both sampled at distances comparable to a fraction of the wavelength and extensive enough to represent the surface statistics in at least one resolution cell of the microwave remote sensor used. A technique has been developed for acquiring the necessary photogrammetric data using twin 70-mm film cameras mounted on a helicopter boom. The apparatus is described, and the accuracy with which ground surface roughness can be characterized using this device is estimated. Both standard and cross-correlation methods were used for data reduction. Stereogrammetry is compared with a completely automated image-matching technique. Dense disparity images were generated from the helicopter stereo pairs. Using interior orientation parameters supplied by the camera manufacturers, and assuming that exterior orientation parameters remain constant between control target and test field photography, an extremely dense DEM (digital elevation model) for a test field has been derived. Results are compared, and accuracy estimates are presented.

Wall, S. D.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Measurement of surface microtopography

Acquisition of ground truth data for use in microwave interaction modeling requires measurement of surface roughness sampled at intervals comparable to a fraction of the microwave wavelength and extensive enough to adequately represent the statistics of a surface unit. Sub-centimetric measurement accuracy is thus required over large areas, and existing techniques are usually inadequate. A technique is discussed for acquiring the necessary photogrammetric data using twin film cameras mounted on a helicopter. In an attempt to eliminate tedious data reduction, an automated technique was applied to the helicopter photographs, and results were compared to those produced by conventional stereogrammetry. Derived root-mean-square (RMS) roughness for the same stereo-pair was 7.5 cm for the automated technique versus 6.5 cm for the manual method. The principal source of error is probably due to vegetation in the scene, which affects the automated technique but is ignored by a human operator.

Wall, S. D.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Late Noachian development of the Coprates rise, Mars

The Coprates rise forms a 900 km long, north to northeast trending ridge south of Coprates Chasma between long. 56 and 60 degs. Radar and stereo photogrammetric data indicate that the rise is 2 to 4 km above a neighboring trough to the east. The break in slope between the rise and this trough is well defined topographically and in Viking images. In turn, the trough is bordered to the to the east at long. 52 deg by a much gentler rise. West of the Coprates rise, the terrain dips about 0.2 deg to roughly long. 75 deg. The rise and flanking highs were previously interpreted to be tilted fault blocks formed by either Tharsis tectonism or an ancient impact. Results are now reported of a preliminary geologic study that documents Late Noachian growth of the Coprates rise as a asymmetric fold. More comprehensive work will lead to a mechanical analysis of the kinematic development of the rise. It is concluded that the Coprate rise formed during the Late Noachian by 2 to 4 km of asymmetric uplift (steeper on its east flank). The timing is inconsistent with an origin by an early impact, but it coincides in time with early Tharsis centered radial faulting at Syria Planum.

Tanaka, Kenneth L.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Venus mapping

Semicontrolled image mosaics of Venus, based on Magellan data, are being compiled at 1:50,000,000, 1:10,000,000, 1:5,000,000, and 1:1,000,000 scales to support the Magellan Radar Investigator (RADIG) team. The mosaics are semicontrolled in the sense that data gaps were not filled and significant cosmetic inconsistencies exist. Contours are based on preliminary radar altimetry data that is subjected to revision and improvement. Final maps to support geologic mapping and other scientific investigations, to be compiled as the dataset becomes complete, will be sponsored by the Planetary Geology and Geophysics Program and/or the Venus Data Analysis Program. All maps, both semicontrolled and final, will be published as I-maps by the United States Geological Survey. All of the mapping is based on existing knowledge of the spacecraft orbit; photogrammetric triangulation, a traditional basis for geodetic control on planets where framing cameras were used, is not feasible with the radar images of Venus, although an eventual shift of coordinate system to a revised spin-axis location is anticipated. This is expected to be small enough that it will affect only large-scale maps.

Batson, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1991

The control network of Mercury: April 1991

Features identified on Mariner 10 high resolution images of Mercury, acquired during three flybys between 1974 and 1975, form the basis of Mercury's planetwide control network. Although images from all three flybys are used in the net, the large amount of contiguous coverage from the second flyby, a southern bright-side pass, make these images the strongest contributors to the control net. Mercury is in synchronous rotation with a period of 58.6462 days and its spin axis is approximately normal to the equatorial plane. The 20 degree meridian is defined by the crater Hun Kal, located just south of the equator. The control network computations involve the photogrammetric determination of control point coordinates and an analytical triangulation solution. The current control network computations for Mercury are performed in the J2000 coordinate system according to the International Astronomical Union (IAU) convention. In recent years, updates to the control network have included improved trajectory solutions and modification of the standard radii (2439) at several points based on Earth-based radar altimetry data. The current status of the control network calculations is presented. Improvements were made to existing control points and new control points were added to the net to strengthen the overall network and improve the standard error of measurement.

Davies, Merton E.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Completion of compilation of the 1:2,000,000-scale topographic map series of Mars

Using special photogrammetric techniques, Mars' topography is being systematically mapped at a scale of 1:2,000,000 from high-altitude Viking Orbiter images. Of the 140 maps in the series, 120 have previously been compiled on the AS-11AM analytical stereoplotters. In fiscal year 1991, the remaining 20 maps will be compiled (most of these are between +/- 30 degrees latitude and the poles). Elevations on the maps are related to the Mars topographic datum. The Mars planetwide control net is used for the control of compilation. The maps have a contour interval of 1 km and a vertical precision of +/- 1 km; thus, they are more detailed than previous maps.

Wu, Sherman S. C.↗
NASA NTRS1991

CD-ROM publication of the Mars digital cartographic data base

The recently completed Mars mosaicked digital image model (MDIM) and the soon-to-be-completed Mars digital terrain model (DTM) are being transcribed to optical disks to simplify distribution to planetary investigators. These models, completed in FY 1991, provide a cartographic base to which all existing Mars data can be registered. The digital image map of Mars is a cartographic extension of a set of compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM) volumes containing individual Viking Orbiter images now being released. The data in these volumes are pristine in the sense that they were processed only to the extent required to view them as images. They contain the artifacts and the radiometric, geometric, and photometric characteristics of the raw data transmitted by the spacecraft. This new set of volumes, on the other hand, contains cartographic compilations made by processing the raw images to reduce radiometric and geometric distortions and to form geodetically controlled MDIM's. It also contains digitized versions of an airbrushed map of Mars as well as a listing of all feature names approved by the International Astronomical Union. In addition, special geodetic and photogrammetric processing has been performed to derive rasters of topographic data, or DTM's. The latter have a format similar to that of MDIM, except that elevation values are used in the array instead of image brightness values. The set consists of seven volumes: (1) Vastitas Borealis Region of Mars; (2) Xanthe Terra of Mars; (3) Amazonis Planitia Region of Mars; (4) Elysium Planitia Region of Mars; (5) Arabia Terra of Mars; (6) Planum Australe Region of Mars; and (7) a digital topographic map of Mars.

Batson, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Recent acceleration of Thwaites Glacier

The first velocity measurements for Thwaites Glacier were made by R. J. Allen in 1977. He compared features of Thwaites Glacier and Iceberg Tongue on aerial photography from 1947 and 1967 with 1972 Landsat images, and measured average annual displacements of 3.7 and 2.3 km/a. Using his photogrammetric experience and taking into consideration the lack of definable features and the poor control in the area, he estimated an average velocity of 2.0 to 2.9 km/a to be more accurate. In 1985, Lindstrom and Tyler also made velocity estimates for Thwaites Glacier. Using Landsat imagery from 1972 and 1983, their estimates of the velocities of 33 points ranged from 2.99 to 4.02 km/a, with an average of 3.6 km/a. The accuracy of their estimates is uncertain, however, because in the absence of fixed control points, they assumed that the velocities of icebergs in the fast ice were uniform. Using additional Landsat imagery in 1984 and 1990, accurate coregistration with the 1972 image was achieved based on fixed rock points. For the period 1972 to 1984, 25 points on the glacier surface ranged in average velocity from 2.47 to 2.76 km/a, with an overall average velocity of 2.62 +/- 0.02 km/a. For the period 1984 to 1990, 101 points ranged in velocity from 2.54 to 3.15 km/a, with an overall average of 2.84 km/a. During both time periods, the velocity pattern showed the same spatial relationship for three longitudinal paths. The 8-percent acceleration in a decade is significant. This recent acceleration may be associated with changes observed in this region since 1986. Fast ice melted and several icebergs calved from the base of the Iceberg Tongue and the terminus of Thwaites Glacier. However, as early as 1972, the Iceberg Tongue had very little contact with the glacier.

Ferrigno, J. G.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Application of image cross-correlation to the measurement of glacier velocity using satellite image data

A high-resolution map of the velocity field of the central portion of Ice Stream E in West Antarctica, generated by the displacement-measuring technique, is presented. The use of cross-correlation software is found to be a significant improvement over previous manually based photogrammetric methods for velocity measurement, and is far more cost-effective than in situ methods in remote polar areas. A hue-intensity-saturation image of Ice Stream E and its velocity field is shown.

Scambos, Theodore A.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Surface areas and porosities of ices used to simulate stratospheric clouds

Surface areas, bulk densities, and porosities of ices formed at 85 or 200 K are measured to study the morphology of the vapor-deposited ices that have been used to simulate ice clouds in the laboratory. Surface areas are measured from the Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller (BET) analysis of absorption isotherms obtained at 72.2 K. Bulk densities and porosities are determined photogrammetrically. Results show that water ice and HNO3-H2O ice films deposited from the vapor at temperatures below 200 K exhibit large BET surface areas and are highly porous. For the ices annealed at temperatures above 200 K, external surface areas calculated from the observed particle sizes agree reasonably well with the BET areas, which indicates that the annealed ices are composed of nonporous particles and that the porosity of these ices is due to interstices among the particles.

Keyser, Leon F.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Computer-aided light sheet flow visualization

A computer-aided flow visualization process has been developed to analyze video images acquired from rotating and translating light sheet visualization systems. The computer process integrates a mathematical model for image reconstruction, advanced computer graphics concepts, and digital image processing to provide a quantitative and visual analysis capability. The image reconstruction model, based on photogrammetry, uses knowledge of the camera and light sheet locations and orientations to project two-dimensional light sheet video images into three-dimensional space. A sophisticated computer visualization package, commonly used to analyze computational fluid dynamics (CFD) data sets, was chosen to interactively display the reconstructed light sheet images, along with the numerical surface geometry for the model or aircraft under study. A description is provided of the photogrammetric reconstruction technique, and the image processing and computer graphics techniques and equipment. Results of the computer aided process applied to both a wind tunnel translating light sheet experiment and an in-flight rotating light sheet experiment are presented. The capability to compare reconstructed experimental light sheet images and CFD solutions in the same graphics environment is also demonstrated.

Stacy, Kathryn↗
NASA NTRS1993

Fault geometries and extension in the Valles Marineris, Mars

The central troughs of the Valles Marineris system on Mars are generally regarded to be of tectonic origin because they are linear and bounded by faults. Their radial orientation to the Tharsis rise suggests that at least their incipient formation was influenced by the formation of the rise, but the exact role of Tharsis is not yet well understood. Collapse and erosion may have significantly modified the original tectonic troughs. To better understand the magnitude and mechanism of crustal extension across the Valles Marineris, the attitudes of trough-wall faults that parallel the long axes of the troughs were studied. Our results will help to determine if the extension is related to the Tharsis rise, to a local arch along which the troughs lie, or to other mechanisms. Fault-plane attitudes were obtained by performing a photogrammetric study of fault traces in the walls of Candor and Melas Chasmata. If the exposed wall faults are not major trough-bounding faults, it is assumed that these major faults are buried at the base of the walls and have similar geometries to the exposed faults. Three dimensional coordinates of several points along each fault trace were obtained and three-point solutions to their geometries were constructed. As expected, the results show that the faults dip toward the interior of the troughs, suggesting that they are indeed normal faults associated with trough formation.

Chadwick, D. J.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Effects of window size and shape on accuracy of subpixel centroid estimation of target images

A new algorithm is presented for increasing the accuracy of subpixel centroid estimation of (nearly) point target images in cases where the signal-to-noise ratio is low and the signal amplitude and shape vary from frame to frame. In the algorithm, the centroid is calculated over a data window that is matched in width to the image distribution. Fourier analysis is used to explain the dependency of the centroid estimate on the size of the data window, and simulation and experimental results are presented which demonstrate the effects of window size for two different noise models. The effects of window shape were also investigated for uniform and Gaussian-shaped windows. The new algorithm was developed to improve the dynamic range of a close-range photogrammetric tracking system that provides feedback for control of a large gap magnetic suspension system (LGMSS).

Welch, Sharon S.↗
NASA NTRS1993

The cartography of Venus with Magellan data

Maps of Venus based on Magellan data are being compiled at 1:50,000,000, 1:5,000,000 and 1:1,500,000 scales. Topographic contour lines based on radar altimetry data are overprinted on the image maps, along with feature nomenclature. Map controls are based on existing knowledge of the spacecraft orbit; photogrammetric triangulation, a traditional basis for geodetic control for bodies where framing cameras were used, is not feasible with the radar images of Venus. Preliminary synthetic aperture radar (SAR) image maps have some data gaps and cosmetic inconsistencies, which will be corrected on final compilations. Eventual revision of geodetic controls and of the adopted Venusian spin-axis location will result in geometric adjustments, particularly on large-scale maps.

Kirk, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Quantitative assessment of human motion using video motion analysis

In the study of the dynamics and kinematics of the human body a wide variety of technologies has been developed. Photogrammetric techniques are well documented and are known to provide reliable positional data from recorded images. Often these techniques are used in conjunction with cinematography and videography for analysis of planar motion, and to a lesser degree three-dimensional motion. Cinematography has been the most widely used medium for movement analysis. Excessive operating costs and the lag time required for film development, coupled with recent advances in video technology, have allowed video based motion analysis systems to emerge as a cost effective method of collecting and analyzing human movement. The Anthropometric and Biomechanics Lab at Johnson Space Center utilizes the video based Ariel Performance Analysis System (APAS) to develop data on shirtsleeved and space-suited human performance in order to plan efficient on-orbit intravehicular and extravehicular activities. APAS is a fully integrated system of hardware and software for biomechanics and the analysis of human performance and generalized motion measurement. Major components of the complete system include the video system, the AT compatible computer, and the proprietary software.

Probe, John D.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Reach performance while wearing the Space Shuttle launch and entry suit during exposure to launch accelerations

Crewmen aboard the Space Shuttle are subjected to accelerations during ascent (the powered flight phase of launch) which range up to +3 G(sub x). Despite having 33 missions and nine years experience, not to mention all the time spent in development prior to the first flight, no truly quantitative reach study wearing actual crew equipment, using actual Shuttle seats and restraints has ever been done. What little information exists on reach performance while under acceleration has been derived primarily from subjective comments gathered retrospectively from Shuttle flight crews during their post mission debrief. This lack of reach performance data has resulted in uncertainty regarding emergency procedures that can realistically be performed during and actual Shuttle ascent versus what is practiced in the ground-fixed and motion-based Shuttle Simulators. With the introduction on STS-26 of the current Shuttle escape system, the question of reach performance under launch accelerations was once again raised. The escape system's requirement that each crewman wear a Launch/Entry Suit (LES), parachute harness, and parachute were all anticipated to contribute to a further degradation of reach performance during Shuttle ascent accelerations. In order to answer the reach performance question in a quantitative way, a photogrammetric method was chosen so that the actual reach values and associated envelopes could be captured. This would allow quantitative assessment of potential task performance impact and identify areas where changes to our Shuttle ascent emergency procedures might be required. Also, such a set of reach values would be valid for any similar acceleration profile using the same crew equipment. Potential Space Station applications of this data include predicting reach performance during Assured Crew Return Vehicle (ACRV) operations.

Bagian, James P.↗