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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 559 records · Page 31

Geographic Information System in Bolivia: a Case Study for Latin America

Bolivia's Geological Service is concluding a successful project designed to give the Department of Oruro the capability to evaluate its natural resources using data generated by three United States satellites. A permanent integrated geographic information system was created for preparing base maps of soil characteristics, land use, geomorphology, geology, water resources and hydrology. The information compiled through the project was stored on magnetic disks and tapes to permit periodic updating, retrieval of data on specific aspects of development projects, and obtaining various data mixes to analyze aspects of prospective development projects. This is the first digital information system developed in Latin America.

Adrien, P. M.↗

Application of MAGSAT to Lithospheric Modeling in South America. Part 2: Synthesis of Geologic and Seismic Data for Development of Integrated Crustal Models

Research activities performed on MAGSAT scalar data over South America, Central America, and the adjacent marine areas are summarized. The geologic utility of magnetic anomalies detected by satellite is demonstrated by focusing on the spherical-Earth interpretation of scalar MAGSAT data in combination with ancillary geological and geophysical data to obtain lithospheric models for these regions related to their contemporary crustal dynamics processes, geologic history, current volcanism seismicity and natural resources.

Keller, G. R.↗

Study of Thematic Mapper and Multispectral Scanner Data Applications

The U.S. Geological Survey EROS Data Center evaluated the utility of LANDSAT multispectral scanner (MSS) and Thematic Mapper (TM) data for natural resource assessment and land cover information, emphasizing manual interpretation and digital classification of the data for U.S. Department of the Interior applications. In most cases, substantially more information was derived from TM data than from MSS data. The test areas included Washington, D.C. and prairie regions of South Dakota and Kansas.

Sadowski, F. G.↗

Civil benefits of the JVX

The inherently high productivity, VTOL capability, and low noise and vibration features of a civil version of the Joint Services Advanced Vertical Lift Aircraft, or 'JVX', are recommended for commercial exploitation. This tilt-rotor vehicle can provide ground and air traffic congestion relief through direct, city center-to-city center service, economically transporting 30 passengers for distances of up to 600 miles. Additional commercial opportunities emerge in the JVX's servicing of offshore, remote and infrastructureless areas. It is noted that Alaska, more than any other American state, would benefit from the JVX's VTOL access to natural resources and otherwise isolated settlements. The civilian development of the JVX could lead to the development of commercial tilt rotor aircraft for other size classes.

Zuk, J.↗

Cartography

The demand for cartographic products at scales of 1:25,000 to 1:250,000 continues to increase throughout the world in order to meet requirements associated with: the survey and management of natural resources; environmental planning; and the establishment of geo-referenced data bases. A satellite system involving the use of multispectral linear array (MLA) sensors designed to meet cartographic requirements in terms of the completeness of detail and geometric accuracy standards associated with mapping programs offers great promise for rapidly providing the data with which to produce four types of map products/and data. These include topographic maps; digital terrain information (x,y,z coordinates; thematic mapping; and image maps. Each type of cartographic product/data is briefly considered in relation to current needs.

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Shuttle Experimental Radar for Geological Exploration (SERGE) project: Field work relating to the Shuttle Experimental Radar A (SIR-A) in Brazil (phase 2)

The ground observations undertaken over the northern position of Minas Gerais State, and part of Distrito Federal from 7 to 12 December 1982, along the Space Shuttle 2 flying orbit 22 of November 1981 are described. Field data related mostly with lithology, geological structures and forest cover, and specific geomorphological and pedological aspects were collected. Ground data are applied to evaluate the SIR-A Experiment, developed in the Space Shuttle-2 mission for natural resources mapping and prospecting.

Balieiro, M. G.↗

Space imagery and some geomorphological problems of the Guiana Shield, South America

Some ongoing involvement in regional geomorphologic research in South America is described. Because of association with LARS at Purdue University, there has been engagement, vicarious or adivsory, in projects which led to LANDSAT 1-2 mapping of the natural resources of Bolivia (1:8,000,000 scale), and preparation of a geographic information system which mapped the general hydrology, geology, soils, and vegetation of Ecuador (1:4,000,000 scale). Currently we are involved more specifically in geological-geomorphological mapping of the Venezuelan portion of the Guiana shield, and because of manuscript limitations only questions pertinent to this region are posed in the ensuing discussion.

Melhorn, W. N.↗

International Symposium on Remote Sensing of Environment, 18th, Paris, France, October 1-5, 1984, Proceedings. Volumes 1, 2, & 3

Papers are presented on the applications of satellite technology, such as monitoring of agriculture, appraising of natural resources, and studying disasters. Topics discussed include, advances in remote sensing processes, multisensor imaging, and mapping. Extensive consideration is given to the processing, modeling, integrating, and evaluating of satellite data.

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Preliminary investigation of Large Format Camera photography utility in soil mapping and related agricultural applications

The use of Space Shuttle Large Format Camera (LFC) color, IR/color, and B&W images in large-scale soil mapping is discussed and illustrated with sample photographs from STS 41-6 (October 1984). Consideration is given to the characteristics of the film types used; the photographic scales available; geometric and stereoscopic factors; and image interpretation and classification for soil-type mapping (detecting both sharp and gradual boundaries), soil parent material topographic and hydrologic assessment, natural-resources inventory, crop-type identification, and stress analysis. It is suggested that LFC photography can play an important role, filling the gap between aerial and satellite remote sensing.

Pelletier, R. E.↗

Bangladesh Agro-Climatic Environmental Monitoring Project

The Agro-Climatic Environmental Monitoring Project (ACEMP) is based on a Participating Agency Service Agreement (PASA) between the Agency for International Development (AID) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). In FY80, the Asia Bureau and Office of Federal Disaster Assistance (OFDA), worked closely to develop a funding mechanism which would meet Bangladesh's needs both for flood and cyclone warning capability and for application of remote sensing data to development problems. In FY90, OFDA provided for a High Resolution Picture Transmission (HRPT) receiving capability to improve their forecasting accuracy for cyclones, flooding and storm surges. That equipment is primarily intended as a disaster prediction and preparedness measure. The ACEM Project was designed to focus on the development applications of remote sensing technology. Through this Project, AID provided to the Bangladesh Government (BDG) the equipment, technical assistance, and training necessary to collect and employ remote sensing data made available by satellites as well as hydrological data obtained from data collection platforms placed in major rivers. The data collected will enable the BDG to improve the management of its natural resources.

Vermillion, C.↗

Summary of 1987 and 1988 manatee aerial surveys at Kennedy Space Center

Aerial surveys of manatees conducted since 1977 at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) have provided a very useful and cost effective monitoring tool in the assessment of abundance and distribution of manatees in the northern Banana River. Data collected in the mid 1980's as part of the KSC Environmental Monitoring Program indicated that the numbers of manatees utilizing the northern Banana River had increased dramatically from earlier years and that the animals appeared to have changed their distribution patterns within the area as well (Provancha and Provancha 1988). United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Florida Department of Natural Resources (FLDNR) conducted bimonthly aerial surveys in 1986 for the entire Florida east coast. Their data clearly show that the Banana River has the highest concentration of manatees during the non-winter months when compared to all other segments of the east coast surveys (B. Wiegle/FLDNR, unpublished data). They further show that, in spring, an average of 71 percent of the manatees in Brevard county were located in the Banana River. During that period 85 percent of the animals were north of the NASA Causeway (State Road (SR) 402) in the KSC security zone. These data indicate the importance of the KSC waters to the Florida east coast manatee population. We reinitiated KSC surveys in 1987 to document distributions and numbers of manatees during the spring influx. Aerial censuses were continued throughout the year in 1988 and this report provides a summary of our findings for the two years.

Provancha, Jane A.↗

Conceptual design and analysis of roads and road construction machinery for initial lunar base operations

Recent developments have made it possible for scientists and engineers to consider returning to the Moon to build a manned lunar base. The base can be used to conduct scientific research, develop new space technology, and utilize the natural resources of the Moon. Areas of the base will be separated, connected by a system of roads that reduce the power requirements of vehicles traveling on them. Feasible road types for the lunar surface were analyzed and a road construction system was designed for initial lunar base operations. A model was also constructed to show the system configuration and key operating features. The alternate designs for the lunar road construction system were developed in four stages: analyze and select a road type; determine operations and machinery needed to produce the road; develop machinery configurations; and develop alternates for several machine components. A compacted lunar soil road was selected for initial lunar base operations. The only machinery required to produce this road were a grader and a compactor. The road construction system consists of a main drive unit which is used for propulsion, a detachable grader assembly, and a towed compactor.

Sines, Jeffrey L.↗

Practical applications of remote sensing technology

Land managers increasingly are becoming dependent upon remote sensing and automated analysis techniques for information gathering and synthesis. Remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS) techniques provide quick and economical information gathering for large areas. The outputs of remote sensing classification and analysis are most effective when combined with a total natural resources data base within the capabilities of a computerized GIS. Some examples are presented of the successes, as well as the problems, in integrating remote sensing and geographic information systems. The need to exploit remotely sensed data and the potential that geographic information systems offer for managing and analyzing such data continues to grow. New microcomputers with vastly enlarged memory, multi-fold increases in operating speed and storage capacity that was previously available only on mainframe computers are a reality. Improved raster GIS software systems have been developed for these high performance microcomputers. Vector GIS systems previously reserved for mini and mainframe systems are available to operate on these enhanced microcomputers. One of the more exciting areas that is beginning to emerge is the integration of both raster and vector formats on a single computer screen. This technology will allow satellite imagery or digital aerial photography to be presented as a background to a vector display.

Whitmore, Roy A., Jr.↗

Potential use of tiltrotor aircraft in Canadian aviation

The aviation system in Canada is described as it relates to the potential applicability of tiltrotor technology. Commuter service in two corridors, the Vancouver-Victoria route on the west coast and the heavily traveled Montreal-Toronto corridor in eastern Canada, are examined. The operation of air service from the near-downtown Toronto STOLport and from the Vancouver-Victoria downtown heliport facilities is described. The emergency medical services, search and rescue, and natural resources development sectors are described with regard to the needs that tiltrotor technology could uniquely meet in these areas. The airport construction program in isolated communities of northern Quebec and possible tiltrotor service in northern regions are reviewed. The Federal and provincial governments' financial support policy regarding the aeronautical industry is to encourage the establishment and expansion of businesses in the field of aeronautics and to make possible the acquisition of new technology. This policy has implications for the tiltrotor program.

Gazdag, Denyse↗

Report of the Advisory Committee on the Future of the US Space Program

The United States' civil space program was rather hurriedly formulated some three decades ago on the heels of the successful launch of the Soviet Sputnik. A dozen humans have been placed on the Moon and safely returned to Earth, seven of the other eight planets have been viewed at close range, including the soft landing of two robot spacecraft on Mars, and a variety of significant astronomical and other scientific observations have been accomplished. Closer to Earth, a network of communications satellites has been established, weather and ocean conditions are now monitored and reported as they occur, and the Earth's surface is observed from space to study natural resources and detect sources of pollution. Problems and perspectives of the program are given as seen by the committee. The committee finds that there are nine concerns about the space program which are deserving of attention. The responsibilities of the agency are given. The space agenda becomes one of what can and should the U.S. afford for its space program. Also given is a concept of what the committee believes is a balanced space program. The programs international role is defined and some final observations and recommendations are made.

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IGARSS '91; Proceedings of the 11th Annual International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, Helsinki University of Technology, Espoo, Finland, June 3-6, 1991. Vols. 1, 2, 3, & 4

The papers presented at the symposium focus on global monitoring of the earth with emphasis on the solution of environmental problems and utilization of natural resources. Topics discussed include radar forestry modeling, hydrological remote sensing, polarimetric SAR observations of sea ice, optical and IR oceanography, and satellite remote sensing of precipitation and related phenomena. Other subject areas covered are microwave sensing of trace gases; atmospheric pressure, temperature, and humidity; spaceborne sensor technology; geodynamic and geophysical remote sensing; space radar missions; remote sensing of vegetation and crops; and remote sensing of weather systems.

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A decision support tool for synchronizing technology advances with strategic mission objectives

Successful accomplishment of the objectives of many long-range future missions in areas such as space systems, land-use planning, and natural resource management requires significant technology developments. This paper describes the development of a decision-support data-derived tool called MisTec for helping strategic planners to determine technology development alternatives and to synchronize the technology development schedules with the performance schedules of future long-term missions. Special attention is given to the operations, concept, design, and functional capabilities of the MisTec. The MisTec was initially designed for manned Mars mission, but can be adapted to support other high-technology long-range strategic planning situations, making it possible for a mission analyst, planner, or manager to describe a mission scenario, determine the technology alternatives for making the mission achievable, and to plan the R&D activity necessary to achieve the required technology advances.

Hornstein, Rhoda S.↗