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NASA NTRS2008

RHSEG and Subdue: Background and Preliminary Approach for Combining these Technologies for Enhanced Image Data Analysis, Mining and Knowledge Discovery

Under a project recently selected for funding by NASA's Science Mission Directorate under the Applied Information Systems Research (AISR) program, Tilton and Cook will design and implement the integration of the Subdue graph based knowledge discovery system, developed at the University of Texas Arlington and Washington State University, with image segmentation hierarchies produced by the RHSEG software, developed at NASA GSFC, and perform pilot demonstration studies of data analysis, mining and knowledge discovery on NASA data. Subdue represents a method for discovering substructures in structural databases. Subdue is devised for general-purpose automated discovery, concept learning, and hierarchical clustering, with or without domain knowledge. Subdue was developed by Cook and her colleague, Lawrence B. Holder. For Subdue to be effective in finding patterns in imagery data, the data must be abstracted up from the pixel domain. An appropriate abstraction of imagery data is a segmentation hierarchy: a set of several segmentations of the same image at different levels of detail in which the segmentations at coarser levels of detail can be produced from simple merges of regions at finer levels of detail. The RHSEG program, a recursive approximation to a Hierarchical Segmentation approach (HSEG), can produce segmentation hierarchies quickly and effectively for a wide variety of images. RHSEG and HSEG were developed at NASA GSFC by Tilton. In this presentation we provide background on the RHSEG and Subdue technologies and present a preliminary analysis on how RHSEG and Subdue may be combined to enhance image data analysis, mining and knowledge discovery.

Tilton, James C.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Ground support system methodology and architecture

A synergistic approach to systems test and support is explored. A building block architecture provides transportability of data, procedures, and knowledge. The synergistic approach also lowers cost and risk for life cycle of a program. The determination of design errors at the earliest phase reduces cost of vehicle ownership. Distributed scaleable architecture is based on industry standards maximizing transparency and maintainability. Autonomous control structure provides for distributed and segmented systems. Control of interfaces maximizes compatibility and reuse, reducing long term program cost. Intelligent data management architecture also reduces analysis time and cost (automation).

Schoen, P. D.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Automated Inspection of the RSRM Case O-Ring Seal Surface

An automated inspection system has been developed to inspect the o-ring sealing surfaces on the Space Shuttle reusable solid rocket motor (RSRM) case segment joints. A laser digitizing system is used to create a three dimensional map of the o-ring sealing surfaces. This data is analyzed for any irregularities, which are noted for further inspection and disposition. This paper describes both the hardware and the software used to gather data as well as the methods developed to analyze the data. The RSRM is assembled from four casting segments. Each of the field joints between these segments is sealed with three o-rings. These o-rings are critical for the proper operation of the motor. After launch the booster segments are recovered and reused. As part of the refurbishment process the o-ring sealing surfaces are inspected for any irregularities. The system developed uses a combination of commercial and customized hardware and software. The system uses two computer systems in a real time environment to control a laser, an XYZ precision table, and case rotation and position information. The system is capable of inspecting both the tang end and the clevis end of the RSRM field joint. The o-ring grooves and flat sealing surfaces are inspected.

ODell, Keith P.↗
NASA NTRS2018

James Webb Space Telescope Primary and Secondary Mirror Segment Assemblies Cleaning: a Quantitative Assessment

The James Webb Space Telescope Primary Mirror Segment Assemblies (PMSAs) and Secondary Mirror Assembly (SMA) were cleaned at the Johnson Space Center (JSC) in January 2018. In order to quantify the effectiveness of the cleaning, the same cleaning process was performed on the PMSA and SMA traveling witness wafers. These wafers have accompanied their respective mirror segments from their arrival at the Goddard Space Flight Center, through transport to JSC, and ultimately their exposure in Chamber A for cryogenic testing. The traveling wafers were analyzed using an Image Analysis automated microscope both prior to and after the cleaning. The resulting data showed that the PMSA wafers' Percent Area Coverage (PAC) reduced by 83.5% on average, from 0.1524 PAC to 0.0251 PAC. The SMA wafer's PAC decreased by 97.2%, from 0.1194 PAC to 0.0034 PAC. Further analysis of the particle size bins was completed in order to calculate their particle distribution slopes. The slope of the PMSA wafers increased by 0.025 on average, and the SMA wafer slope increased by 0.066. This indicates that the ratio of large to small particles slightly increased after the cleaning across all mirror segments. Visual inspections of the wafers and the flight PMSAs and SMA showed considerable and comparable particulate coverage improvements, thus leading to the conclusion that the average PAC on the PMSAs and SMA improved by the same factor as their respective wafers.

mirror↗
NASA NTRS1994

Cloud properties inferred from 8-12 micron data

A trispectral combination of observations at 8-, 11-, and 12-micron bands is suggested for detecting cloud and cloud properties in the infrared. Atmospheric ice and water vapor absorption peak in opposite halves of the window region so that positive 8-minus-11-micron brightness temperature differences indicate cloud, while near-zero or negative differences indicate clear regions. The absorption coefficient for water increases more between 11 and 12 microns than between 8 and 11 microns, while for ice, the reverse is true. Cloud phases is determined by a scatter diagram of 8-minus-11-micron versus 11-minus-12-micron brightness temperature differences; ice cloud shows a slope greater than 1 and water cloud less than 1. The trispectral brightness temperature method was tested upon high-resolution interferometer data resulting in clear-cloud and cloud-phase delineation. Simulations using differing 8-micron bandwidths revealed no significant degradation of cloud property detection. Thus, the 8-micron bandwidth for future satellites can be selected based on the requirements of other applications, such as surface characterization studies. Application of the technique to current polar-orbiting High-Resolution Infrared Sounder (HIRS)-Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) datasets is constrained by the nonuniformity of the cloud scenes sensed within the large HIRS field of view. Analysis of MAS (MODIS Airborne Simulator) high-spatial resolution (500 m) data with all three 8-, 11-, and 12-micron bands revealed sharp delineation of differing cloud and background scenes, from which a simple automated threshold technique was developed. Cloud phase, clear-sky, and qualitative differences in cloud emissivity and cloud height were identified on a case study segment from 24 November 1991, consistent with the scene. More rigorous techniques would allow further cloud parameter clarification. The opportunities for global cloud delineation with the Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) appear excellent. The spectral selection, the spatial resolution, and the global coverage are all well suited for significant advances.

Strabala, Kathleen I.↗
NASA NTRS2008

Technology Infusion of CodeSonar into the Space Network Ground Segment (RII07)

The NASA Software Assurance Research Program (in part) performs studies as to the feasibility of technologies for improving the safety, quality, reliability, cost, and performance of NASA software. This study considers the application of commercial automated source code analysis tools to mission critical ground software that is in the operations and sustainment portion of the product lifecycle.

Benson, Markland↗
NASA NTRS1975

Increasing the reliability of labor of railroad engineers

It has been shown that the group of problems related to temporary overloads still require serious development with respect to further automating the basic control operation - programmed selection of speed and braking. The problem of systems for warning the engineer about the condition of the unseen track segments remains a very serious one. Systems of hygenic support of the engineer also require constructive development. The problems of ensuring the reliability of work of engineers in periods of low information load, requiring motor acts, can basically be considered theoretically solved.

Genes, V. S.↗
NASA NTRS2009

Arc Second Alignment of International X-Ray Observatory Mirror Segments in a Fixed Structure

The optics for the International X-Ray Observatory (IXO) require alignment and integration of about fourteen thousand thin mirror segments to achieve the mission goal of 3.0 square meters of effective area at 1.25 keV with an angular resolution of five arc seconds. These mirror segments are 0.4mm thick, and 200 to 400mm in size, which makes it hard not to impart distortion at the subarc second level. This paper outlines the precise alignment, verification testing, and permanent bonding techniques developed at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). These techniques are used to overcome the challenge of transferring thin mirror segments from a temporary mount to a fixed structure with arc second alignment and minimal figure distortion. Recent advances in technology development in addition to the automation of several processes have produced significant results. This paper will highlight the recent advances in alignment, testing, and permanent bonding techniques as well as the results they have produced.

Evans, Tyler C.↗
NASA NTRS2010

Arc-Second Alignment of International X-Ray Observatory Mirror Segments in a Fixed Structure

The optics for the International X-Ray Observatory (IXO) require alignment and integration of about fourteen thousand thin mirror segments to achieve the mission goal of 3.0 square meters of effective area at 1.25 keV with an angular resolution of five arc-seconds. These mirror segments are 0.4 mm thick, and 200 to 400 mm in size, which makes it hard not to impart distortion at the subare- second level. This paper outlines the precise alignment, verification testing, and permanent bonding techniques developed at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). These techniques are used to overcome the challenge of transferring thin mirror segments from a temporary mount to a fixed structure with arc-second alignment and minimal figure distortion. Recent advances in technology development in addition to the automation of several processes have produced significant results. This paper will highlight the recent advances in alignment, testing, and permanent bonding techniques as well as the results they have produced.

Evans, Tyler C.↗
NASA NTRS1994

The SAX Italian scientific satellite. The on-board implemented automation as a support to the ground control capability

This paper presents the capabilities implemented in the SAX system for an efficient operations management during its in-flight mission. SAX is an Italian scientific satellite for x-ray astronomy whose major mission objectives impose quite tight constraints on the implementation of both the space and ground segment. The most relevant mission characteristics require an operative lifetime of two years, performing scientific observations both in contact and in noncontact periods, with a low equatorial orbit supported by one ground station, so that only a few minutes of communications are available each orbit. This operational scenario determines the need to have a satellite capable of performing the scheduled mission automatically and reacting autonomously to contingency situations. The implementation approach of the on-board operations management, through which the necessary automation and autonomy are achieved, follows a hierarchical structure. This has been achieved adopting a distributed avionic architecture. Nine different on-board computers, in fact, constitute the on-board data management system. Each of them performs the local control and monitors its own functions while the system level control is performed at a higher level by the data handling applications software. The SAX on-board architecture provides the ground operators with different options of intervention by three classes of telecommands. The management of the scientific operations will be scheduled by the operation control center via dedicated operating plans. The SAX satellite flight mode is presently being integrated at Alenia Spazio premises in Turin for a launch scheduled for the end of 1995. Once in orbit, the SAX satellite will be subject to intensive check-out activities in order to verify the required mission performances. An overview of the envisaged procedure and of the necessary on-ground activities is therefore depicted as well.

Martelli, Andrea↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Advances in Automation of Overset Structured Volume Mesh Generation and Domain Connectivity

Automation of overset structured surface mesh generation has recently been accomplished by the creation of face, edge, and node meshes based on Boundary Representation solids as the geometry input. The current work continues the automation effort in overset volume mesh generation and domain connectivity based on the auto-generated surface meshes. All near-body curvilinear volume meshes are automatically generated using hyperbolic methods. Automation of this step is enabled by appropriate surface grid point distribution, and selection of boundary-splay and smoothing parameters based on concave and convex surface features. The off-body domain is covered by two automatically generated grid systems. The first contains a single Cartesian mesh with a uniform core enclosing all near-body volume meshes and stretched layers that extend to the far field, while the second consists of a set of small stretched Cartesian grids covering pockets of off-body orphan points. With high quality mesh overlap mostly guaranteed by the surface meshing scheme, orphan points that need to be covered by the second Cartesian mesh system are located away from the fine grid spacing region near the wall. Using line-segment and ray-pierce tests against the surface grids, hole-cutting is accomplished on both near and off-body volume grids resulting in appropriate clearances from the wall. The complete mesh generation automation process is demonstrated on five test cases where flow solutions are also computed and compared with solutions obtained using other methods.

TTT↗
NASA NTRS1978

Landsat-D - A systems overview

Landsat D, scheduled for launch in 1981, is designed to be a complete end-to-end highly automated data gathering and processing system providing a major step forward in global remote sensing for earth resources applications. This paper discusses the major components of the flight segment (the Multimission Modular Spacecraft, the Thematic Mapper and the Multispectral Scanner Subsystem) and of the ground segment (the Data Management System and the Landsat-D Assessment System). Descriptions and diagrams illustrating various aspects of flight and ground segments are provided.

Salomonson, V. V.↗
NASA NTRS1992

A new method for recognizing quadric surfaces from range data and its application to telerobotics and automation

Pose and orientation of an object is one of the central issues in 3-D recognition problems. Most of today's available techniques require considerable pre-processing such as detecting edges or joints, fitting curves or surfaces to segment images, and trying to extract higher order features from the input images. We present a method based on analytical geometry, whereby all the rotation parameters of any quadric surface are determined and subsequently eliminated. This procedure is iterative in nature and was found to converge to the desired results in as few as three iterations. The approach enables us to position the quadric surface in a desired coordinate system, and then to utilize the presented shape information to explicitly represent and recognize the 3-D surface. Experiments were conducted with simulated data for objects such as hyperboloid of one and two sheets, elliptic and hyperbolic paraboloid, elliptic and hyperbolic cylinders, ellipsoids, and quadric cones. Real data of quadric cones and cylinders were also utilized. Both of these sets yielded excellent results.

Alvertos, Nicolas↗
NASA NTRS2002

Onboard Autonomous Rock Shape Analysis for Mars Rovers

In the quest to maximize the scientific return of future robotic missions, it is imperative that our rovers be capable of determining the importance of the science they collect so that they may prioritize the acquisition and relay of that data. As an important step in this process, we present an automated technique to allow a rover to classify the shape and other geologic characteristics of rocks from two-dimensional photographic images and three-dimensional stereographically produced data. Experiments were conducted in the Matlab environment using images returned by JPL's Mars Pathfinder mission. Our method begins by first segmenting the rocks from the background using a combination of image intensity and height data. Various metrics are then used to classify the region's sphericity, roundness, and other geometric properties. Preliminary experiments to determine the most useful metrics were conducted by characterizing the two-dimensional rock shape while the three-dimensional shape was later studied with metrics derived from these two-dimensional techniques. Seven measures were developed and implemented. The performance of each measure was characterized by analyzing imagesfrom the Pathfinder mission and ranking the rocks according to the measured properties. Combined, the measures would provide a tool by which an automated rover could discover a greater amount of information about the data it collects, leading to a more productive mission.

image segmentation↗
NASA NTRS1982

Nodal network generator for CAVE3

A new extension of CAVE3 code was developed that automates the creation of a finite difference math model in digital form ready for input to the CAVE3 code. The new software, Nodal Network Generator, is broken into two segments. One segment generates the model geometry using a Tektronix Tablet Digitizer and the other generates the actual finite difference model and allows for graphic verification using Tektronix 4014 Graphic Scope. Use of the Nodal Network Generator is described.

Palmieri, J. V.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Early season spring small grains proportion estimation

An accurate, automated method for estimating early season spring small grains from Landsat MSS data is discussed. The method is summarized and the results of its application to 100 sample segment-years of data from the US Northern Great Plains in 1976, 1977, 1978, and 1979 are summarized. The results show that this estimator provides accurate estimates earlier in the growing season than previous methods. Ground truth is required only in the estimator development, and data storage, transmission, preprocessing, and processing requirements are minimal.

Phinney, D. E.↗
NASA NTRS1992

On the distribution of pitch angles in external galactic spirals NGC 1232 and NGC 5457

A numerical method, originally developed to analyze the morphology of global and local structure in prototype galaxies, is modified for analyzing observed disk-shape galaxies. Two digitized spiral galaxies NGC 1232 and NGC 5457 with varying degrees of contrast between arm and interarm regions are analyzed. A synergism of partitioning methods and a geometric mean least-squares regression algorithm serves to isolate local arm segments, spurs, feathers, and secondary features and to measure their pitch angles and lengths. The global arms are actually highly disjointed, with arm segments frequently revealing pitch angles between 30 and 50 deg, certainly greater than those of the parent arms. Prominent spurs tend to exhibit a much greater pitch angle. The automated mathematical algorithm is shown to have negligible numerical biasing and could be applied to any number of spiral galaxies manifesting flocculent structure, either prototype or observed, and could possibly be used as a tool for classification of multiple-armed-type galaxies.

Russell, William S.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Method and System For an Automated Tool for En Route Traffic Controllers

A method and system for a new automation tool for en route air traffic controllers first finds all aircraft flying on inefficient routes, then determines whether it is possible to save time by bypassing some route segments, and finally whether the improved route is free of conflicts with other aircraft. The method displays all direct-to eligible aircraft to an air traffic controller in a list sorted by highest time savings. By allowing the air traffic controller to easily identify and work with the highest pay-off aircraft, the method of the present invention contributes to a significant increase in both air traffic controller and aircraft productivity. A graphical computer interface (GUI) is used to enable the air traffic controller to send the aircraft direct to a waypoint or fix closer to the destination airport by a simple point and click action.

Heinz Erzberger↗