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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 325 records · Page 18

Radiation pattern synthesis of planar antennas using the iterative sampling method

A synthesis method is presented for determining an excitation of an arbitrary (but fixed) planar source configuration. The desired radiation pattern is specified over all or part of the visible region. It may have multiple and/or shaped main beams with low sidelobes. The iterative sampling method is used to find an excitation of the source which yields a radiation pattern that approximates the desired pattern to within a specified tolerance. In this paper the method is used to calculate excitations for line sources, linear arrays (equally and unequally spaced), rectangular apertures, rectangular arrays (arbitrary spacing grid), and circular apertures. Examples using these sources to form patterns with shaped main beams, multiple main beams, shaped sidelobe levels, and combinations thereof are given.

Stutzman, W. L.↗

Space construction base operations in support of solar power satellite development

Development of the Solar Power Satellite (SPS) system for initial operation in the late 1990's requires substantial orbital development activities in the mid-1980's leading to a key system development decision in about 1987. A manned Space Construction Base (SCB) in low-earth orbit is needed to support the SPS orbital development program. The SPS system development issues are defined, along with a candidate development program for resolving these issues. The development hardware systems of interest for the mid-1980's include: (1) a tapered linear array microwave antenna (123 x 125.6 m 'cross') with a 57-kW/rf amplitron output, which is SCB constructed and operated in low-earth orbit initially, and, subsequently, unmanned in geosynchronous earth orbit; and (2) a SCB-constructed and -operated 9 x 14.4 m planar array antenna (358 kW/rf/) powered by a 455-kWe silicon photovoltaic solar collector.

Mckhann, G. G.↗

Advanced Multispectral Scanner (AMS) study

The status of aircraft multispectral scanner technology was accessed in order to develop preliminary design specifications for an advanced instrument to be used for remote sensing data collection by aircraft in the 1980 time frame. The system designed provides a no-moving parts multispectral scanning capability through the exploitation of linear array charge coupled device technology and advanced electronic signal processing techniques. Major advantages include: 10:1 V/H rate capability; 120 deg FOV at V/H = 0.25 rad/sec; 1 to 2 rad resolution; high sensitivity; large dynamic range capability; geometric fidelity; roll compensation; modularity; long life; and 24 channel data acquisition capability. The field flattening techniques of the optical design allow wide field view to be achieved at fast f/nos for both the long and short wavelength regions. The digital signal averaging technique permits maximization of signal to noise performance over the entire V/H rate range.

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State of technology in optical systems

The use of silicon photodiode sensors and locator systems for lightning experiments is discussed. Tables are presented on: (1) satellite optical lightning experiments (silicon detectors); (2) reticon photodiode linear arrays; and (3) locator systems (grey code and reticon). An illustration of a grey code locator system for a low altitude satellite is also given.

Edgar, B. C.↗

Assessment of the use of space technology in the monitoring of oil spills and ocean pollution: Technical volume. Executive summary

The potential of space systems and technology for detecting and monitoring ocean oil spills and waste pollution was assessed as well as the impact of this application on communication and data handling systems. Agencies charged with responsibilities in this area were identified and their measurement requirements were ascertained in order to determine the spatial resolution needed to characterize operational and accidental discharges. Microwave and optical sensors and sensing techniques were evaluated as candidate system elements. Capabilities are described for the following: synthetic aperture radar, microwave scatterometer, passive microwave radiometer, microwave altimeter, electro-optical sensors currently used in airborne detection, existing space-based optical sensors, the thematic mapper, and the pointable optical linear array.

Alvarado, U. R.↗

A design study for an advanced ocean color scanner system

Along with a colorimetric data analysis scheme, the instrumental parameters which need to be optimized in future spaceborne ocean color scanner systems are outlined. With regard to assessing atmospheric effects from ocean colorimetry, attention is given to computing size parameters of the aerosols in the atmosphere, total optical depth measurement, and the aerosol optical thickness. It is suggested that sensors based on the use of linear array technology will meet hardware objectives.

Kim, H. H.↗

LAPR: An experimental aircraft pushbroom scanner

A three band Linear Array Pushbroom Radiometer (LAPR) was built and flown on an experimental basis by NASA at the Goddard Space Flight Center. The functional characteristics of the instrument and the methods used to preprocess the data, including radiometric correction, are described. The radiometric sensitivity of the instrument was tested and compared to that of the Thematic Mapper and the Multispectral Scanner. The radiometric correction procedure was evaluated quantitatively, using laboratory testing, and qualitatively, via visual examination of the LAPR test flight imagery. Although effective radiometric correction could not yet be demonstrated via laboratory testing, radiometric distortion did not preclude the visual interpretation or parallel piped classification of the test imagery.

Wharton, S. W.↗

Remote sensing of oceanic phytoplankton - Present capabilities and future goals

A description is given of current work in the development of sensors, and their integration into increasingly powerful systems, for oceanic phytoplankton abundance estimation. Among the problems relevant to such work are phytoplankton ecology, the spatial and temporal domains, available sensor platforms, and sensor combinations. Among the platforms considered are satellites, aircraft, tethered balloons, helicopters, ships, and the Space Shuttle. Sensors discussed include microwave radiometers, laser fluorosensors, microwave scatterometers, multispectral scanners, Coastal Ocean Dynamics Radar (CODAR), and linear array detectors. Consideration is also given to the prospects for such future sensor systems as the National Oceanic Satellite System (NOSS) and the Airborne Integrated Mapping System (AIMS).

Esaias, W. E.↗

LAPR - An experimental pushbroom scanner

A three-band Linear Array Pushbroom Radiometer (LAPR) was built and flown on an experimental basis by NASA, at the Goddard Space Flight Center. The functional characteristics of the instrument and the methods used to preprocess the data, including radiometric correction, are described. The radiometric sensitivity of the instrument was tested and compared to that of the Thematic Mapper and the Multispectral Scanner. The radiometric correction procedure was evaluated quantitatively, using laboratory testing, and qualitatively, by visual examination of the LAPR test flight imagery. Although effective radiometric correction could not yet be demonstrated by laboratory testing, radiometric distortion did not preclude the visual interpretation or classification of the test imagery.

Wharton, S. W.↗

Program for narrow-band analysis of aircraft flyover noise using ensemble averaging techniques

A package of computer programs was developed for analyzing acoustic data from an aircraft flyover. The package assumes the aircraft is flying at constant altitude and constant velocity in a fixed attitude over a linear array of ground microphones. Aircraft position is provided by radar and an option exists for including the effects of the aircraft's rigid-body attitude relative to the flight path. Time synchronization between radar and acoustic recording stations permits ensemble averaging techniques to be applied to the acoustic data thereby increasing the statistical accuracy of the acoustic results. Measured layered meteorological data obtained during the flyovers are used to compute propagation effects through the atmosphere. Final results are narrow-band spectra and directivities corrected for the flight environment to an equivalent static condition at a specified radius.

Gridley, D.↗

Report of subpanel on image sharpness

Factors effecting the sharpness of images acquired by multispectral scanners, synthetic aperture radar, thermal infrared sensors, and multispectral linear arrays are defined. Factors associated with the sensor include the atmospheric blur/scatter function, the point spread function of the sensor, the sensor aperture, the filter characteristics, and the sampling rate and quatization effects. Several research tasks are proposed which include investigating the use of optical prefilters which include investigating the use of optical prefilters and the relationships of the instantaneous field of view (aperture width) on the performance of geocorrelation systems.

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Map accuracy requirements: The cartographic potential of satellite image data

Cartographic products fall into a variety of classes: topographic maps that are concerned with planimetric information and elevations or heights; thematic maps, which might be used for geology, vegetation, water, or to display these subjects; digital elevation maps that would be produced from digital terrain data; and finally image maps. In terms of satellite applications, thematic maps and image maps are emphasized. The objectives are to consider, first, if resolution will be adequate for the identification of control and for the compilation of map products. Then, second, to define map accuracy standards and to determine the potential for meeting these standards with image data from the film camera, scanner and linear array systems of the 1980s.

Welch, R.↗

A concept for a future ground control data set for image correction

Strips of ground control can be established with current and future satellite sensors. These can provide precise and reliable geometric references for locating and correcting satellite image data and to support temporal image registration. This paper briefly describes the concept and approach for implementing this data base called a Ground Control Strip, and recommends additional work. The advent of new solid state imaging systems, in particular the linear array detectors (pushbroom sensors), make this new concept particularly attractive and practical.

Bernstein, R.↗

On the power output of some idealized source configurations with one or more characteristic dimensions

The calculation of power output from a (finite) linear array of equidistant point sources is investigated with allowance for a relative phase shift and particular focus on the circumstances of small/large individual source separation. A key role is played by the estimates found for a twin parameter definite integral that involves the Fejer kernel functions, where N denotes a (positive) integer; these results also permit a quantitative accounting of energy partition between the principal and secondary lobes of the array pattern. Continuously distributed sources along a finite line segment or an open ended circular cylindrical shell are considered, and estimates for the relatively lower output in the latter configuration are made explicit when the shell radius is small compared to the wave length. A systematic reduction of diverse integrals which characterize the energy output from specific line and strip sources is investigated.

Levine, H.↗

K/Ar dating of lunar soils. IV - Orange glass from 74220 and agglutinates from 14259 and 14163

Total fusion Ar-40 - A-39 analyses of orange glass from lunar soil 74220 combined with the sums of earlier stepwise heating data by other workers have yielded a precise K/Ar isochron with a slope corresponding to an age of 3.66 + or - 0.03 G.y. for the orange glass. The result is in marginal agreement with Huneke's (1978) age of 3.60 + or - 0.04 G.y. for 74220 glass. The Ar systematics in the agglutinates from 14259 and 14163 are dominated by volume correlated argon. Step-wise heating analyses yield data which define experimentally reproducible linear arrays in Ar-40/Ar-36 vs. K-40/Ar-36 diagrams. The slopes of these arrays correspond formally to very old ages, but it is not clear, however, that such ages have any physical significance.

Alexander, E. C., Jr.↗

Advanced technology for earth observation - Data processing

The Experimental Land Observing System (ELOS) is to demonstrate major advances in space-based land observation. Program success will depend upon successful demonstration of both space-segment performance and ground-system capabilities. Increases in data-rate, volume, and processing requirements present substantial challenges to the ground data processing system. ELOS is based on the utilization of the multispectral linear array (MLA) sensor, a solid-state, electronically scanned instrument. Current MLA instrument designs offer a number of capabilities beyond those provided in the Landsat imaging devices. These capabilities include greater resolution, inherent registration, onboard calibration, off-nadir pointing capability, and fore/aft pointing capability. The proposed MLA flight mission scenario will be one of continued growth and will include flights on the Space Transportation System. Attention is also given to ground-to-ground data transport, data capture, and the use of high speed computers.

Heffner, P.↗

Solid state instrumentation concepts for earth resource observation

Late in 1980, specifications were prepared for detail design definition of a six band solid state multispectral instrument having three visible (VIS), one near infrared (NIR), and two short wave infrared (SWIR) bands. This instrument concept, known as the Multispectral Linear Array (MLA), also offered increased spatial resolution, on board gain and offset correction, and additional operational modes which would allow for cross track and stereoscopic viewing as well as a multialtitude operational capability. A description is presented of a summary of some of the salient features of four different MLA design concepts, as developed by four American companies. The designs ranged from the use of multiple refractive telescopes utilizing three groups of focal plane detectors electronic correlation processing for achieving spatial registration, and incorporating palladium silicide (PdSi) SWIR detectors, to a four-mirror all-reflective telecentric system utilizing a beam splitter for spatial registration.

Richard, H. L.↗

Land remote sensing activities in the US

The LANDSAT D system, shuttle imaging radar instruments, the thermal infrared multispectral scanner system, the shuttle multispectral infrared radiometer, and the multispectral linear array program are described. These programs will develop advanced optical and microwave sensor technologies to support a broad spectrum of aircraft, shuttle and free flier missions for research in agriculture, geology, hydrology and geography. A broad based fundamental research effort coupled with the development of improved data acquisition and information extraction techniques is planned to improve fundamental understanding of the remote sensing process and fully exploit its capabilities.

Keller, S. W.↗