Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Weather condition”

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 271 records · Page 15

Analytical evaluation of ILM sensors

Functional requirements and operating environment constraints for an Independent Landing Monitor for aircraft landings in Cat. 2/3 weather conditions are identified and translated into specific sensing requirements. State-of-the-art capabilities of radar, TV, FLIR, multilateration, microwave radiometry, interferometry, redundant MLS and nuclear sensing concepts are evaluated and compared to the requirements. Concepts showing the best ILM potential are identified elsewhere in this series. Three specific concepts are identified: bistatic radar, complex interferometry, and circular synthetic aperture.

Kirk, R. J.↗

An interdisciplinary analysis of Colorado Rocky Mountain environments using ADP techniques

The author has identified the following significant results. Good ecological, classification accuracy (90-95%) can be achieved in areas of rugged relief on a regional basis for Level 1 cover types (coniferous forest, deciduous forest, grassland, cropland, bare rock and soil, and water) using computer-aided analysis techniques on ERTS/MSS data. Cost comparisons showed that a Level 1 cover type map and a table of areal estimates could be obtained for the 443,000 hectare San Juan Mt. test site for less than 0.1 cent per acre, whereas photointerpretation techniques would cost more than 0.4 cent per acre. Results of snow cover mapping have conclusively proven that the areal extent of snow in mountainous terrain can be rapidly and economically mapped by using ERTS/MSS data and computer-aided analysis techniques. A distinct relationship between elevation and time of freeze or thaw was observed, during mountain lake mapping. Basic lithologic units such as igneous, sedimentary, and unconsolidated rock materials were successfully identified. Geomorphic form, which is exhibited through spatial and textual data, can only be inferred from ERTS data. Data collection platform systems can be utilized to produce satisfactory data from extremely inaccessible locations that encounter very adverse weather conditions, as indicated by results obtained from a DCP located at 3,536 meters elevation that encountered minimum temperatures of -25.5 C and wind speeds of up to 40.9m/sec (91 mph), but which still performed very reliably.

Hoffer, R. M.↗

Cross-correlative analysis of S-193 data for terrain characteristics

The author has identified the following significant results. The impulse response technique, when coupled with fine resolution altimeter data, is capable of yielding: (1) very fine mean ground elevation resolution; (2) slopes and slope variation along the altimeter path; (3) the absorption or the ground vegetation cover density for a given weather condition; and (4) an eventual classification of ground cover and/or moisture content of the ground.

Hayre, H. S.↗

Solar structure and terrestrial weather

The possibility that solar activity has discernible effects on terrestrial weather is considered. Research involving correlation of weather conditions with solar and geomagnetic activity is discussed.

Wilcox, J. M.↗

Simulation, guidance and navigation of the B-737 for rollout and turnoff using MLS measurements

A simulation program is described for the B-737 aircraft in landing approach, a touchdown, rollout and turnoff for normal and CAT III weather conditions. Preliminary results indicate that microwave landing systems can be used in place of instrument landing systems landing aids and that a single magnetic cable can be used for automated rollout and turnoff. Recommendations are made for further refinement of the model and additional testing to finalize a set of guidance laws for rollout and turnoff.

Pines, S.↗

SEASAT economic assessment. Volume 3: Offshore oil and natural gas industry case study and generalization

The economic benefits of improved ocean condition, weather and ice forecasts by SEASAT satellites to the exploration, development and production of oil and natural gas in the offshore regions are considered. The results of case studies which investigate the effects of forecast accuracy on offshore operations in the North Sea, the Celtic Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico are reported. A methodology for generalizing the results to other geographic regions of offshore oil and natural gas exploration and development is described.

Source record↗

Remote sensing analysis of Lake Livingston aquatic plants

Results obtained during 1975 to monitor the growth of aquatic plants in the Lake Livingston area, using remote sensing photographic imagery, were described. Sequential total coverage was provided of the Jungle and White Rock Creek, plus coverage of smaller areas of localized infestation downlake, including Brushy Creek, KOA Kampground Marina, Penwaugh Slough, Memorial Point Marina, the Beacon Bay marinas and Pine Island. The imagery was generally good, photographic exposure being increased as the season progressed in order to obtain better pictures of the submerged vegetation. Some very significant differences in growth patterns, species interaction, and species dominance were observed when compared to 1974. Observation of the following plants was discussed: water hyacinth, hydrilla, coontail, potamageton. In general, the level of infestation was lower in 1975 than in 1974, due to the combined effect of more systematic application of herbicides and harsher intervening winter weather conditions.

Benton, A. R., Jr.↗

Analysis of navigation and guidance requirements for commercial VTOL operations

The paper presents some results of a program undertaken to define navigation and guidance requirements for commercial VTOL operations in the takeoff, cruise, terminal and landing phases of flight in weather conditions up to and including Category III. Quantitative navigation requirements are given for the parameters range, coverage, operation near obstacles, horizontal accuracy, multiple landing aircraft, multiple pad requirements, inertial/radio-inertial requirements, reliability/redundancy, update rate, and data link requirements in all flight phases. A multi-configuration straw-man navigation and guidance system for commercial VTOL operations is presented. Operation of the system is keyed to a fully automatic approach for navigation, guidance and control, with pilot as monitor-manager. The system is a hybrid navigator using a relatively low-cost inertial sensor with DME updates and MLS in the approach/departure phases.

Hoffman, W. C.↗

Remote profiling of lake ice using an S-band short-pulse radar aboard an all-terrain vehicle

The airborne short-pulse radar system described was developed to measure ice thickness in an attempt to extend the winter navigation system as a means of reducing coal and ore shipping costs. Experimental studies of the accuracy and limitations of the system are discussed, and measurements made at 25 sites are compared. The radar system was found to provide accurate lake ice thickness measurements that were not affected by snow cover or adverse weather conditions. Surface melting and rain, however, preclude measurements.

Cooper, D. W.↗

The use of LANDSAT data in a Large Area Crop Inventory Experiment /LACIE/

A Large Area Crop Inventory Experiment (LACIE) has been undertaken jointly by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the Department of Commerce and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to prove out an economically important application of remote sensing from space. At the outset LACIE will concentrate on wheat grown in the North American area. The experiment will combine crop area measurements obtained from LANDSAT data and meteorological information from NOAA satellites and from ground stations designed to relate weather conditions to yield assessment and ultimately to production forecasts. The Department of Agriculture will study the utilization of the experimentally derived production estimates in its crop reports. These reports are made public as a routine service to the domestic and international agriculture community. If this activity is successful and the results prove useful the application will be extended to other regions and ultimately to other crops.

Macdonald, R. B.↗

Signatures analysis and recognition of severe weather patterns

The feasibility of designing a prediction and warning system for severe weather conditions on the basis of time series analysis and pattern recognition is examined. Data accumulated by Taylor (1972) on the rate of atmospherics produced by severe, tornado-producing storms that struck Oklahoma City during April 1970 are analyzed by time series analysis and pattern recognition. Power spectra, cross-power spectra, coherence functions, and time-varying patterns are analyzed.

Wang, P. P.↗

Remote surface-height measurement

Radar-generated images are unaffected by weather conditions, cloud coverage, or solar illumination. Technique can be adapted to measure vegetation size, urban development, and geological roughness.

Jain, A.↗

Display/control requirements for VTOL aircraft

Quantative metrics were determined for system control performance, workload for control, monitoring performance, and workload for monitoring. Pilot tasks were allocated for navigation and guidance of automated commercial V/STOL aircraft in all weather conditions using an optimal control model of the human operator to determine display elements and design.

Hoffman, W. C.↗

A depolarization and attenuation experiment using the CTS satellite. Volume 1: Experiment description

An experiment for measuring precipitation attenuation and depolarization on the Communications Technology Satellite (CTS) 11.7 GHz downlink is described. Attenuation and depolarization of the signal received from the spacecraft is monitored on a 24 hour basis. Data is correlated with ground weather conditions. Theoretical models for millimeter wave propagation through rain are refined for maximum agreement with observed data. Techniques are developed for predicting and mimimizing the effects of rain scatter and depolarization on future satellite communication systems.

Bostian, C. W.↗

Flight test pilot evaluation of a delayed flap approach procedure

Using NASA's CV-990 aircraft, a delayed flap approach procedure was demonstrated to nine guest pilots from the air transport industry. Four demonstration flights and 37 approaches were conducted under VFR weather conditions. A limited pilot evaluation of the delayed flap procedure was obtained from pilot comments and from questionaires they completed. Pilot acceptability, pilot workload, and ATC compatibility were quantitatively rated. The delayed flap procedure was shown to be feasible, and suggestions for further development work were obtained.

Bull, J. S.↗

Development of a digital automatic control law for steep glideslope capture and flare

A longitudinal digital guidance and control law for steep glideslopes using MLS (Microwave Landing System) data is developed for CTOL aircraft using modern estimation and control techniques. The control law covers the final approach phases of glideslope capture, glideslope tracking, and flare to touchdown for automatic landings under adverse weather conditions. The control law uses a constant gain Kalman filter to process MLS and body-mounted accelerometer data to form estimates of flight path errors and wind velocities including wind shear. The flight path error estimates and wind estimates are used for feedback in generating control surface commands. Results of a digital simulation of the aircraft dynamics and the guidance and control law are presented for various wind conditions.

Halyo, N.↗

Remote sensing of the atmosphere from environmental satellites

Various applications of satellite remote sensing of the earth are reviewed, including (1) the use of meteorological satellites to obtain photographic and radiometric data for determining weather conditions; (2) determination of the earth radiation budget from measurements of reflected solar radiation and emitted long wave terrestrial radiation; (3) the use of microwave imagery for measuring ice and snow cover; (4) LANDSAT visual and near infrared observation of floods and crop growth; and (5) the use of the Nimbus 4 backscatter ultraviolet instrument to measure total ozone and vertical ozone distribution. Plans for future activities are also discussed.

Allison, L. J.↗

The effects of spectral variations on silicon cell output

Spectral measurements of daily, total horizontal radiation were analyzed to determine the magnitude and character of the effects in silicon cell output. Data for different seasons and weather conditions are included. Techniques and results are described.

Boes, E. C.↗