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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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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1982

Shuttle Imaging Radar - Geologic applications

The Space Shuttle, on its second flight (November 12, 1981), carried the first science and applications payload which provided an early demonstration of Shuttle's research capabilities. One of the experiments, the Shuttle Imaging Radar-A (SIR-A), had as a prime objective to evaluate the capability of spaceborne imaging radars as a tool for geologic exploration. The results of the experiment will help determine the value of using the combination of space radar and Landsat imagery for improved geologic analysis and mapping. Preliminary analysis of the Shuttle radar imagery with Seasat and Landsat imagery from similar areas provides evidence that spaceborne radars can significantly complement Landsat interpretation, and vastly improve geologic reconnaissance mapping in those areas of the world that are relatively unmapped because of perpetual cloud cover.

Macdonald, H.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Geology of the Venus equatorial region from Pioneer Venus radar imaging

The surface characteristics and morphology of the equatorial region of Venus were first described by Masursky et al. who showed this part of the planet to be characterized by two topographic provinces, rolling plains and highlands, and more recently by Schaber who described and interpreted tectonic zones in the highlands. Using Pioneer Venus (PV) radar image data (15 deg S to 45 deg N), Senske and Head examined the distribution, characteristics, and deposits of individual volcanic features in the equatorial region, and in addition classified major equatorial physiographic and tectonic units on the basis of morphology, topographic signature, and radar properties derived from the PV data. Included in this classification are: plains (undivided), inter-highland tectonic zones, tectonically segmented linear highlands, upland rises, tectonic junctions, dark halo plains, and upland plateaus. In addition to the physiographic units, features interpreted as coronae and volcanic mountains have also been mapped. The latter four of the physiographic units along with features interpreted to be coronae.

Senske, D. A.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Creating a system for the geological exploitation of satellite images: Automatic mapping and geophysical data comparison

A method is presented for integrating satellite images into a geophysical data interpretation system. Aspects of the method include: an attempt to automatically interpret images by structural, mainly topological, methods for the mapping of geological contours; an analysis of the position relation of the contours gives a skeleton stratigraphy (order of succession); and a system combining some of the extracted elements with geographic data to make an objective search for an interpretation hypothesis. Some examples are presented.

Braconne, S.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Vegetational analysis with Skylab-3 imagery

The author has identified the following significant results. Color infrared photography from Skylab 3 appeared to be superior to ERTS imagery in a vegetational study of northeastern North Carolina. An accuracy of 87% was achieved in delimiting species composition and zonation patterns of three coastal, vegetation classes. A vegetation map of Perquimans County, North Carolina, seemed to have a high degree of correlation with information provided by high altitude U-2 photography. Random verification sites revealed an overall interpretation accuracy above 84%. Comparison of maps drawn utilizing Skylab photography with North Carolina Dept. of Agriculture estimates of crop acreage revealed some marked discrepancies. The chief difference lies in the nonagricultural category in which there is a 30% discrepancy. This fact raised some questions as to the definition of nonagricultural land uses and methods used by the State Dept. of Agriculture to determine actual percentages of crops grown.

Welby, C. W.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Neural networks for estimation of divertor conditions in DIII-D using C III imaging

Deep learning approaches have been applied to images of C III emission in the lower divertor of DIII-D to develop models for estimating the level of detachment and magnetic configuration (X-point location and strike point radial location). The poloidal distance from the target to the C III emission front is used to represent the level of detachment. The models perform well on a test dataset not used in training, achieving $F_1$ scores as high as 0.99 for detachment state classification and root mean squared error (RMSE) as low as 2cm for front location regression. Predictions for shots with intermittent reattachment are studied, with class activation mapping used to aid in interpretation of the model predictions. Based on the success of these models, a third model was trained to predict the X-point location and strike point radial position from C III images. Though the dataset covers only a small range of possible magnetic configurations, the model shows promising results, achieving RMSE around 1cm for the test data.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2026

Zero Resistance Ammetry (ZRA) Measurements of Sediment Electrochemical Gradients, Old Woman Creek, Ohio, USA, June–November 2022

This dataset contains raw and processed zero resistance ammetry (ZRA) measurements collected from wetland sediments at Old Woman Creek, a freshwater estuary on Lake Erie, Ohio, USA, between June and November 2022. Measurements were obtained using a vertically deployed electrode array positioned at multiple depths within the sediment profile to capture electrochemical gradients associated with microbial activity and sediment geochemistry. The raw dataset consists of parsed instrument log files containing timestamps, electrode pair identifiers, and measured electrical potential (mV). The processed dataset includes standardized and quality-controlled values with instrument saturation limits removed and timestamps converted to ISO 8601 format. Electrode line identifiers were mapped to physical depths, enabling interpretation of depth-resolved electrochemical gradients. Instrument saturation values (−2048, −2047, 2047, and 2048 mV) were identified as measurement limits and excluded from quantitative analyses. All data parsing, processing, and quality control steps are documented in an accompanying R Markdown script, ensuring full reproducibility from raw instrument logs to final datasets.

EARTH SCIENCE > AGRICULTURE > SOILS > ELECTRICAL C↗
NASA NTRS1970

Classifying forest and nonforest land on space photographs

Although the research reported is in its preliminary stages, results show that: (1) infrared color film is the best single multiband sensor available; (2) there is a good possibility that forest can be separated from all nonforest land uses by microimage evaluation techniques on IR color film coupled with B/W infrared and panchromatic films; and (3) discrimination of forest and nonforest classes is possible by either of two methods: interpreters with appropriate viewing and mapping instruments, or programmable automatic scanning microdensitometers and automatic data processing.

Aldrich, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Preliminary evaluation of the 15 October 1972 ERTS-1 imagery of east central Ohio (scene 1034-15415)

The author has identified the following significant results. Results of a general, physical interpretation of ERTS-1 imagery of east central Ohio are presented. Special emphasis is placed upon geologic features, such as linear features and hydrologic features. Man-made features are included as a matter of interest and image location. The interpretation is compared to available maps of the area and from this an assessment that ERTS-1 is potentially useful for updating and producing geological maps.

Pettyjohn, W. A.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Automatic categorization of land-water cover types of the Green Swamp, Florida, using Skylab multispectral scanner (S-192) data

The techniques used and the results achieved in the successful application of Skylab Multispectral Scanner (EREP S-192) high-density digital tape data for the automatic categorizing and mapping of land-water cover types in the Green Swamp of Florida were summarized. Data was provided from Skylab pass number 10 on 13 June 1973. Significant results achieved included the automatic mapping of a nine-category and a three-category land-water cover map of the Green Swamp. The land-water cover map was used to make interpretations of a hydrologic condition in the Green Swamp. This type of use marks a significant breakthrough in the processing and utilization of EREP S-192 data.

Coker, A. E.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Investigation of environmental change pattern in Japan. Investigation of the ecological environment index from observation of the regional vegetation cover and their growing condition

The author has identified the following significant results. Practical use of recognition results of LANDSAT data as the base map of the field survey or the retouching work of vegetation and land use has the effective benefit to cut down the cost, labor, and time lower than 10% of a conventional method. Correct and detailed vegetation maps were prepared using combined interpretation of repetition of data of different seasons at warm and temperate forested areas.

Maruyasu, T.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Microwave multispectral investigations of snow

A long term observational program on microwave emission and scatter behavior under controlled conditions, was started at a high altitude alpine test site. All stages of development of snow cover during the whole season are under investigation. The study was done to achieve required knowledge on microwave radiative properties of snow for optimization of the microwave payloads of air and spaceborne snow sensors and for the interpretation of large scale snow maps obtained by these sensors. Preliminary results of the first month obtained with radiometers at 4.9, 10.5, 21 and 36 GHz are presented.

Schanda, E.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Mare volcanism in the Herigonius region of the moon

The paper considers the area in the vicinity of the crater Herigonius. This area contains numerous sinuous rilles, craters with irregular planimetric form, possible pyroclastic cones, and other features of probable volcanic origin, and appears to be the vent region that supplied lavas both northward to Oceanus Procellarum and southward to the Humorum basin. The approach used involves photogeologic interpretation of surface features and mapping of mare units to derive a regional stratigraphic sequence. The sequence of mare volcanism provides insight into the complex emplacement of lunar lavas and the general volcanic history of the moon.

Greeley, R.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Acquisition of background and technical information and class trip planning

Instructors who are very familiar with a study area, as well as those who are not, find the field trip information acquisition and planning process speeded and made more effective by organizing it in stages. The stage follow a deductive progression: from the associated context region, to the study area, to the specific sample window sites, and from generalized background information on the study region to specific technical data on the environmental and human use systems to be interpreted at each site. On the class trip and in the follow up laboratory, the learning/interpretive process are at first deductive in applying previously learned information and skills to analysis of the study site, then inductive in reading and interpreting the landscape, imagery, and maps of the site, correlating them with information of other samples sites and building valid generalizations about the larger study area, its context region, and other (similar and/or contrasting) regions.

Mackinnon, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Ancient lakes on Mars?

The valley systems in Mars' ancient cratered terrain provide strong evidence for a warmer and wetter climate very early in planetary history. The valley systems in some instances debouch into closed depressions that could have acted as local ponding basins for the flow. A survey of the Martian equatorial region shows that numerous local depressions at the confluence of valley systems exist. These depressions (approximately 100 km) typically are characterized by many valleys flowing into them and few or none flowing out. If ponding did take place, these basin would have contained lakes for some period during Mars' early warmer epoch. Although the collection basins are numerous, location of ones that have not suffered significant subsequent geologic modification is difficult. Some morphologic features suggest that volcanic lavas may have filled them subsequent to any early fluvial activity. Two detailed maps of valley systems and local ponding basins in USGC 1:2,000,000 subquadrangles were completed and a third is in progress. The completed regions are in Mare Tyrrhenum (MC-22 SW) and Margarifter Sinus (MC-19 SE), and the region in progress is in Iapygia (MC-21 NW). On the maps, the valley systems and interpreted margins of ponding basins are indicated. The depressions are of interest for two reasons. First, the depressions were surely the sites in which the materials eroded from the valleys were deposited. Such sediments could preserve important information about the physical conditions at the time of deposition. Second, the sediments could preserve evidence of water-atmosphere interactions during the early period of the Martian climate. Atmospheric carbon dioxide would dissolve in water, and solid carbonate minerals would tend to precipitate out to form carbonate sedimentary deposits. Formation of carbonates in this manner might account for some of the CO2 lost from the early more dense atmosphere.

Goldspiel, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Structural history of Maxwell Montes, Venus: Implications for Venusian mountain belt formation

Models for Venusian mountain belt formation are important for understanding planetary geodynamic mechanisms. A range of data sets at various scales must be considered in geodynamic modelling. Long wavelength data, such as gravity and geoid to topography ratios, need constraints from smaller-scale observations of the surface. Pre-Magellan images of the Venusian surface were not of high enough resolution to observe details of surface deformation. High-resolution Magellan images of Maxwell Montes and the other deformation belts allow us to determine the nature of surface deformation. With these images we can begin to understand the constraints that surface deformation places on planetary dynamic models. Maxwell Montes and three other deformation belts (Akna, Freyja, and Danu montes) surround the highland plateau Lakshmi Planum in Venus' northern hemisphere. Maxwell, the highest of these belts, stands 11 km above mean planetary radius. We present a detailed structural and kinematic study of Maxwell Montes. Key observations include (1) dominant structure fabrics are broadly distributed and show little change in spacing relative to elevation changes of several kilometers; (2) the spacing, wavelength and inferred amplitude of mapped structures are small; (3) interpreted extensional structures occur only in areas of steep slope, with no extension at the highest topographic levels; and (4) deformation terminates abruptly at the base of steep slopes. One implications of these observations is that topography is independent of thin-skinned, broadly distributed, Maxwell deformation. Maxwell is apparently stable, with no observed extensional collapse. We propose a 'deformation-from-below' model for Maxwell, in which the crust deforms passively over structurally imbricated and thickened lower crust. This model may have implications for the other deformation belts.

Keep, Myra↗
NASA NTRS2012

Recent Results from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Mission and Plans for the Extended Mission

The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft (LRO), launched on June 18, 2009, began with the goal of seeking safe landing sites for future robotic missions or the return of humans to the Moon as part of NASA's Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD). In addition, LRO's objectives included the search for surface resources and to investigate the Lunar radiation environment. After spacecraft commissioning, this phase of the mission began on September 15, 2009, completed on September 15, 2010 when operational responsibility for LRO was transferred to NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD). The SMD mission is scheduled for 2 years and will be completed in 2012 with an opportunity for an extended mission beyond 2012. Under SMD, the mission focuses on a new set of goals related to understanding the geologic history of the Moon, its current state, and what it can tell us about the evolution of the Solar System. Having marked the two year anniversary will review here the major results from the LRO mission for both exploration and science and discuss plans and objectives going forward including a proposed 2-year extended mission. These objectives include: 1) understanding the bombardment history of the Moon, 2) interpreting Lunar geologic processes, 3) mapping the global Lunar regolith, 4) identifying volatiles on the Moon, and 5) measuring the Lunar atmosphere and radiation environment.

Keller, John W.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Tropopause adjustment to tropical cyclones as inferred from satellite ozone observations

Data from the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer on the Nimbus-7 are used to map the climatological total ozone within and around tropical cyclones. A tropical cyclone numerical model is used to interpret total ozone patterns. The total ozone maps are used to diagnose storm intensity and to differentiate between intesifying and weakening tropical cyclones. The tropical cyclone intensity versus total ozone anomaly distribution is examined and examples of mapping the total ozone of tropical cyclones in the period 1979-1982 are presented.

Rodgers, Edward B.↗