Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “data quality”

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 379 records · Page 21

Analysis of data acquired by synthetic aperture radar and LANDSAT Multispectral Scanner over Kershaw County, South Carolina, during the summer season

Data acquired by synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and LANDSAT multispectral scanner (MSS) were processed and analyzed to derive forest-related resources inventory information. The SAR data were acquired by using the NASA aircraft X-band SAR with linear (HH, VV) and cross (HV, VH) polarizations and the SEASAT L-band SAR. After data processing and data quality examination, the three polarization (HH, HV, and VV) data from the aircraft X-band SAR were used in conjunction with LANDSAT MSS for multisensor data classification. The results of accuracy evaluation for the SAR, MSS and SAR/MSS data using supervised classification show that the SAR-only data set contains low classification accuracy for several land cover classes. However, the SAR/MSS data show that significant improvement in classification accuracy is obtained for all eight land cover classes. These results suggest the usefulness of using combined SAR/MSS data for forest-related cover mapping. The SAR data also detect several small special surface features that are not detectable by MSS data.

Wu, S. T.↗

A modeling analysis program for the JPL table mountain Io sodium cloud

A data quality review for the entire set of the 1981 Region B/C images has been completed and is presented. The review indicates that almost all images are of sufficient quality to be valuable in our analysis of this data set. Five data-correlation studies for the same data set have also been completed and are useful in classifying and studying the sodium cloud morphology and its interactions with solar radiation pressure and the plasma torus. Additional progress in developing new image processing techniques and in improving the Io sodium cloud model is also discussed.

Smyth, W. H.↗

The astronaut science advisor: Ground testing during SLS-1

The objective of the Astronaut Science Advisor (ASA) is the improvement of the scientific return of experiments performed in space. This is accomplished through the use of expert systems technology to encode the domain and experiment knowledge commanded by the principal investigator (PI) and make it available to the astronaut experimenters. The principal functions of the ASA include the following: capture, reduce, and archive experimental data; monitor data quality and help diagnose problems with equipment when experimental data is erratic or poor; identify and permit investigation of interesting data; and suggest protocol changes that would result in better utilization of remaining time.

Compton, Michael M.↗

The Langley Parameterized Shortwave Algorithm (LPSA) for Surface Radiation Budget Studies

An efficient algorithm was developed during the late 1980's and early 1990's by W. F. Staylor at NASA/LaRC for the purpose of deriving shortwave surface radiation budget parameters on a global scale. While the algorithm produced results in good agreement with observations, the lack of proper documentation resulted in a weak acceptance by the science community. The primary purpose of this report is to develop detailed documentation of the algorithm. In the process, the algorithm was modified whenever discrepancies were found between the algorithm and its referenced literature sources. In some instances, assumptions made in the algorithm could not be justified and were replaced with those that were justifiable. The algorithm uses satellite and operational meteorological data for inputs. Most of the original data sources have been replaced by more recent, higher quality data sources, and fluxes are now computed on a higher spatial resolution. Many more changes to the basic radiation scheme and meteorological inputs have been proposed to improve the algorithm and make the product more useful for new research projects. Because of the many changes already in place and more planned for the future, the algorithm has been renamed the Langley Parameterized Shortwave Algorithm (LPSA).

Gupta, Shashi K.↗

Means, Variability and Trends of Precipitation in the Global Climate as Determined by the 25-year GEWEWGPCP Data Set

The Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP) 25-year precipitation data set is used as a basis to evaluate the mean state, variability and trends (or inter-decadal changes) of global and regional scales of precipitation. The uncertainties of these characteristics of the data set are evaluated by examination of other, parallel data sets and examination of shorter periods with higher quality data (e.g., TRMM). The global and regional means are assessed for uncertainty by comparing with other satellite and gauge data sets, both globally and regionally. The GPCP global mean of 2.6 mdday is divided into values of ocean and land and major latitude bands (Tropics, mid-latitudes, etc.). Seasonal variations globally and by region are shown and uncertainties estimated. The variability of precipitation year-to-year is shown to be related to ENS0 variations and volcanoes and is evaluated in relation to the overall lack of a significant global trend. The GPCP data set necessarily has a heterogeneous time series of input data sources, so part of the assessment described above is to test the initial results for potential influence by major data boundaries in the record.

Adler, R. F.↗

QuakeSim 2.0

QuakeSim 2.0 improves understanding of earthquake processes by providing modeling tools and integrating model applications and various heterogeneous data sources within a Web services environment. QuakeSim is a multisource, synergistic, data-intensive environment for modeling the behavior of earthquake faults individually, and as part of complex interacting systems. Remotely sensed geodetic data products may be explored, compared with faults and landscape features, mined by pattern analysis applications, and integrated with models and pattern analysis applications in a rich Web-based and visualization environment. Integration of heterogeneous data products with pattern informatics tools enables efficient development of models. Federated database components and visualization tools allow rapid exploration of large datasets, while pattern informatics enables identification of subtle, but important, features in large data sets. QuakeSim is valuable for earthquake investigations and modeling in its current state, and also serves as a prototype and nucleus for broader systems under development. The framework provides access to physics-based simulation tools that model the earthquake cycle and related crustal deformation. Spaceborne GPS and Inter ferometric Synthetic Aperture (InSAR) data provide information on near-term crustal deformation, while paleoseismic geologic data provide longerterm information on earthquake fault processes. These data sources are integrated into QuakeSim's QuakeTables database system, and are accessible by users or various model applications. UAVSAR repeat pass interferometry data products are added to the QuakeTables database, and are available through a browseable map interface or Representational State Transfer (REST) interfaces. Model applications can retrieve data from Quake Tables, or from third-party GPS velocity data services; alternatively, users can manually input parameters into the models. Pattern analysis of GPS and seismicity data has proved useful for mid-term forecasting of earthquakes, and for detecting subtle changes in crustal deformation. The GPS time series analysis has also proved useful as a data-quality tool, enabling the discovery of station anomalies and data processing and distribution errors. Improved visualization tools enable more efficient data exploration and understanding. Tools provide flexibility to science users for exploring data in new ways through download links, but also facilitate standard, intuitive, and routine uses for science users and end users such as emergency responders.

Donnellan, Andrea↗

Web Application Software for Ground Operations Planning Database (GOPDb) Management

A Web application facilitates collaborative development of the ground operations planning document. This will reduce costs and development time for new programs by incorporating the data governance, access control, and revision tracking of the ground operations planning data. Ground Operations Planning requires the creation and maintenance of detailed timelines and documentation. The GOPDb Web application was created using state-of-the-art Web 2.0 technologies, and was deployed as SaaS (Software as a Service), with an emphasis on data governance and security needs. Application access is managed using two-factor authentication, with data write permissions tied to user roles and responsibilities. Multiple instances of the application can be deployed on a Web server to meet the robust needs for multiple, future programs with minimal additional cost. This innovation features high availability and scalability, with no additional software that needs to be bought or installed. For data governance and security (data quality, management, business process management, and risk management for data handling), the software uses NAMS. No local copy/cloning of data is permitted. Data change log/tracking is addressed, as well as collaboration, work flow, and process standardization. The software provides on-line documentation and detailed Web-based help. There are multiple ways that this software can be deployed on a Web server to meet ground operations planning needs for future programs. The software could be used to support commercial crew ground operations planning, as well as commercial payload/satellite ground operations planning. The application source code and database schema are owned by NASA.

Lanham, Clifton↗

Co-registration of Laser Altimeter Tracks with Digital Terrain Models and Applications in Planetary Science

We have derived algorithms and techniques to precisely co-register laser altimeter profiles with gridded Digital Terrain Models (DTMs), typically derived from stereo images. The algorithm consists of an initial grid search followed by a least-squares matching and yields the translation parameters at sub-pixel level needed to align the DTM and the laser profiles in 3D space. This software tool was primarily developed and tested for co-registration of laser profiles from the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA) with DTMs derived from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Narrow Angle Camera (NAC) stereo images. Data sets can be co-registered with positional accuracy between 0.13 m and several meters depending on the pixel resolution and amount of laser shots, where rough surfaces typically result in more accurate co-registrations. Residual heights of the data sets are as small as 0.18 m. The software can be used to identify instrument misalignment, orbit errors, pointing jitter, or problems associated with reference frames being used. Also, assessments of DTM effective resolutions can be obtained. From the correct position between the two data sets, comparisons of surface morphology and roughness can be made at laser footprint- or DTM pixel-level. The precise co-registration allows us to carry out joint analysis of the data sets and ultimately to derive merged high-quality data products. Examples of matching other planetary data sets, like LOLA with LRO Wide Angle Camera (WAC) DTMs or Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) with stereo models from the High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) as well as Mercury Laser Altimeter (MLA) with Mercury Dual Imaging System (MDIS) are shown to demonstrate the broad science applications of the software tool.

Laser↗

Quantitative interpretation of Great Lakes remote sensing data

The paper discusses the quantitative interpretation of Great Lakes remote sensing water quality data. Remote sensing using color information must take into account (1) the existence of many different organic and inorganic species throughout the Great Lakes, (2) the occurrence of a mixture of species in most locations, and (3) spatial variations in types and concentration of species. The radiative transfer model provides a potential method for an orderly analysis of remote sensing data and a physical basis for developing quantitative algorithms. Predictions and field measurements of volume reflectances are presented which show the advantage of using a radiative transfer model. Spectral absorptance and backscattering coefficients for two inorganic sediments are reported.

Shook, D. F.↗

Applications of ERTS-A Data Collection System (DCS) in the Arizona Regional Ecological Test Site (ARETS)

The author has identified the following significant results. Preliminary analysis of DCS data from the USGS Verde River stream flow measuring site indicates the DCS system is furnishing high quality data more frequently than had been expected. During the 43-day period between Nov. 3, and Dec. 15, 1972, 552 DCS transmissions were received during 193 data passes. The amount of data received far exceeded the single high quality transmission per 12-hour period expected from the DCS system. The digital-parallel ERTS-1 data has furnished sufficient to accurately compute mean daily gage heights. These in turn, are used to compute average daily streamflow rates during periods of stable or slowly changing flow conditions. The digital-parallel data has also furnished useful information during peak flow periods. However, the serial-digital DCS capability, currently under development for transmitting streamflow data, should provide data of greater utility for determining times of flood peaks.

Schumann, H. H.↗

VERITAS Observations of Day-scale Flaring of M 87 in 2010 April

VERITAS has been monitoring the very-high-energy (VHE; > 100 GeV) gamma-ray activity of the radio galaxy M 87 since 2007. During 2008, flaring activity on a timescale of a few days was observed with a peak flux of (0.70 +/- 0.16) x 10(exp -11)/sq cm/s at energies above 350 GeV. In 2010 April, VERITAS detected a flare from M 87 with peak flux of (2.71 +/- 0.68) x 10(exp -11)/sq cm/s for E > 350 GeV. The source was observed for six consecutive nights during the flare, resulting in a total of21 hr of good-quality data. The most rapid flux variation occurred on the trailing edge of the flare with an exponential flux decay time of 0,90 +0.22/-0.15 days, The shortest detected exponential rise time is three times as long, at 2.87 +1.65/-0.99 days. The quality of the data sample is such that spectral analysis can he performed for three periods: rising flux, peak flux, and falling flux. The spectra obtained are consistent with power-law forms. The spectral index at the peak of the flare is equal to 2.19 +/- 0.07, There is some indication that the spectrum is softer in the falling phase of the flare than the peak phase, with a confidence level corresponding to 3.6 standard deviations. We discuss the implications of these results for the acceleration and cooling rates of VHE electrons in M 87 and the constraints they provide on the physical size of the emitting region.

Perkins, J. S>↗

Terra and Aqua MODIS Instrument Performance

Since launch, Terra and Aqua MODIS have produced an unprecedentedly large amount of high quality data products and supported a broad range of applications by the remote sensing science community and users worldwide. Constant and dedicated efforts have been made to continue instrument normal operation, to monitor and characterize changes in sensor responses, and to update calibration parameters to maintain the quality of MODIS data products. This paper provides an overview of instrument operation and calibration activities, and performance. On-orbit changes in sensor responses are illustrated. Also discussed are challenging issues, calibration strategies, and future efforts.

Xiong, X.↗

Physical processes in comets

Post-Halley comets are known to be irregular objects with most nucleus activity very localized and with the dust coma capable of fragmentation and apparently being a source of gas. Older, 1-D strategies which assume steady isotropic outflow of material can give poor time-and-space averaged results, at best. With 2-D data, images through interference filters, it is hoped that: dust structures can be seen that give evidence of the proper geometry for data reduction; gradients along the axes of symmetry and evidence of fragmentation can be studied; and that evidence for gas abundance gradients associated with the dust can be found. High quality data from brighter comets can then be used to suggest improved data reduction procedures for fainter ones. To obtain such data, large image-quality interference filters were procured for use with a charge coupled device (CCD) camera at Lick Observatory, where the scale of the 1 m Nickel reflector is ideal for brighter comets. Whenever possible, data is taken simultaneously with other telescopes and equipment, especially spectroscopy at the Lick 3 m or infrared photometry at the Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF) on Mauna Kea.

Newburn, Ray L., Jr.↗

An Overall Assessment of JPSS-3 VIIRS Radiometric Performance Based on Pre-Launch Testing

Satellite imagery and data are playing an increasingly important role in scientific studies of the Earth and its climate. The scientific community has been demanding ever-increasing capabilities and accuracy from the data provided by these satellites. One key instrument on board a series of satellite platforms is the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS), which provides high-quality data of the Earth from low Earth orbit covering the visible to long-wave infrared parts of the spectrum. The fourth build in the series, set to be launched on the Joint Polar-orbiting Satellite System 3 (JPSS-3) platform, has recently completed its main ground calibration program and is set to be integrated into the satellite bus in the near future. This calibration program covered a comprehensive series of performance metrics designed to demonstrate the quality of the science data and ensure the instrument can maintain its calibration successfully once on-orbit. The subject of this work covers the radiometric calibration metrics including dynamic range, signal-to-noise ratio/noise equivalent differential temperature (SNR/NEdT), polarization sensitivity, scattered light response, relative spectral response, response versus scan angle, and uniformity, as well as uncertainties; all key metrics met or exceeded their design requirements with some minor exceptions. Comparisons to previous builds will also be provided.

JPSS-3↗

MARLOWE: An Untargeted Proteomics, Statistical Approach to Taxonomic Classification for Forensics

General proteomics research for fundamental science typically addresses laboratory- or patient-derived samples of known origin and composition. However, in a few research areas, such as environmental proteomics, clinical identification of infectious organisms, archeology, art/cultural history, and forensics, attributing the origin of a protein-containing sample to the organisms that produced it is a central focus. A small number of groups have approached this problem and developed software tools for taxonomic characterization and/or identification using bottom-up proteomics. Most such tools identify peptides via database search, and many rely on organism-specific peptides as markers. Our group recently introduced MARLOWE, a software tool for taxonomic characterization of unknown samples based on de novo peptide identification and signal-erosion-resistant strong peptides, which are shared peptides distributed in a taxonomy-dependent manner. In the current work, we further characterize the utility of MARLOWE using publicly available proteomics data from forensically-relevant samples. MARLOWE characterizes samples based on their protein profile, and returns ranked organism lists of potential contributors and taxonomic scores based on shared strong peptides between organisms. Overall, the correct characterization rate ranges between 44 and 100%, depending on the sample type and data acquisition parameters (with lower numbers associated with lower-quality data sets). MARLOWE demonstrates successful characterization of true contributors and close relatives, and provides sufficient specificity to distinguish certain microbial species. MARLOWE demonstrates its ability to provide insight into potential taxonomic sources for a wide range of sample types without prior assumptions about sample contents. As a result, this approach can find utility in forensic science and also broadly in bioanalytical applications that utilize proteomics approaches for taxonomic characterization.

Bacteria↗

Cloud Fusion of Big Data and Multi-Physics Models using Machine Learning for Discovery, Exploration, and Development of Hidden Geothermal Resources

The primary goals of this project are identifying hidden geothermal resources in the USA and designing profitable enhanced geothermal systems (EGS). Many non-obvious processes and parameters could characterize geothermal resources and could control the ultimate energy potential of geothermal fields. Diverse datasets (e.g., geology, geochemistry, geophysics, satellite, airborne geophysics) are available to help characterize geothermal resources, but this data is sparse and multi-scale. This has hindered attempts to leverage the datasets for geothermal exploration and profitable EGS design. Recent advancements in machine learning (ML) give promise to overcome these issues. Modern ML methods and tools can (1) analyze large datasets, (2) assimilate model ensembles that include a multitude of inputs and outputs, (3) process sparse datasets, (4) perform transfer learning between sites with different data quality, (5) extract hidden geothermal signatures from field and simulation data, (6) label geothermal resources and processes, (7) identify high-value data acquisition targets, and (8) guide geothermal exploration and production by selecting optimal exploration, production, and drilling strategies. In this work, we implement ML-based geothermal exploration and an enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) design tool to achieve the above goals. Our exploration tool is GeoThermalCloud (GTC) EGS design tool is GeoDT-ML. GTC (github.com/SmartTensors/GeoThermalCloud.jl) utilizes a LANL unsupervised ML platform called SmartTensors (https://tensors.lanl.gov/) to automate data analyses and interpretations by extracting hidden signatures to identify geothermal prospects. It enables the identification of critical measurements needed to identify geothermal resource signatures. GeoDT-ML (github.com/SmartTensors/GeoThermalCloud.jl/tree/master/) adds coupling to GeoDT (https://github.com/GeoDesignTool/GeoDT.git) for stochastic EGS design optimization and performance prediction. GeoDT-ML leverages recent advances in deep learning and high-performance computing. Contributors to this effort include LANL, PNNL, Google, Stanford, and Julia Computing.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗

Soil moisture ground truth: Steamboat Springs, Colorado, site and Walden, Colorado, site

Ground-truth data taken at Steamboat Springs and Walden, Colorado in support of the NASA missions in these areas during the period March 8, 1976 through March 11, 1976 was presented. This includes the following information: snow course data for Steamboat Springs and Walden, snow pit and snow quality data for Steamboat Springs, and soil moisture report.

Jones, E. B.↗

An operational video data compression system for ATS and ITOS

An operational data compression system has been developed and implemented for transmission of digitized ATS and ITOS-VHRR satellite video data over the wideband communication link between the Wallops Island, Va. Command and Data Acquisition Station and the National Environmental Satellite Service at Suitland, Md. This system uses minicomputers for the coding and decoding of the data to achieve maximum flexibility together with specially designed interface equipment for greater efficiency. No loss in data quality occurs due to the compression, and, in certain cases, data is transmitted which would be otherwise unavailable due to the limited channel capacity. This paper describes the method of compression, the equipment used, and the compression results attained.

Kutz, R. L.↗