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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 NTRSDate not supplied

Improving Geolocation Accuracy of the Advanced Meteorological Imager on the GEO-KOMPSAT-2A

GeoNEX is a collaborative project led by scientists from NASA and many other international institutes to generate Earth monitoring products using data streams from the latest geostationary (GEO) sensors. Its consistent processing and common gridding systems can produce research-quality data products from GEO sensors and leverage GEO-GEO or GEO-LEO (low earth orbit) synergistic uses. Currently, GeoNEX has produced and disseminated L1G (geometrically corrected Level 1 products) from GOES 16/17 ABIs and Himawari-8 AHI, but a new Korean geostationary sensor (Advanced Meteorological Imager, AMI) onboard Geo-KOMPSAT-2A covering a large proportion of Asia and all of Oceania is in development. Our recent efforts on assessing geolocation accuracy in ABI and AHI suggest a nontrivial residual exists in both level 1B data with varying spatiotemporal patterns. The findings urge us to prioritize identifying and correcting geolocation residuals of AMI to generate accurate and consistent GeoNEX top-of-atmosphere (TOA) reflectance products and following processing chains. Here we implement a phase correlation correction approach to a visible band (0.64 μm, 500 m) using landmarks prepared from finer scale digital terrain models. We characterize spatiotemporal patterns (e.g., diurnal & daily) of geolocation residuals of AMI before and after correction. We then assess stability of datasets and quantify impact of unexpected geolocation errors on terrestrial monitoring. The geolocation corrected AMI data are further compared with GeoNEX AHI L1G products which are able to create unique stereo-type observations with AMI through leveraging the similarities of spectral bands and the sun-target-sensor geometry. Further, we discuss challenges in utilizing the GEO-GEO (e.g., AMI & AHI) satellite data for potential applications.

Geostationary Satellites↗
NASA NTRS1984

On Mars

The following aspects of the planet Mars were assessed directly and indirectly by the Viking lander and Viking orbiter spacecraft: the atmosphere, craters, volcanoes, terrain, geology, and evolution. Descriptions of these aspects are included herein. It is concluded that though life is certainly not abundant on Mars, the possibility still exists that some form of life is extant there.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2000

Salient Characteristics for Terrestrial Analog Engineering Test Sites

The use of terrestrial analog sites is an essential component of the development process for systems that are planned for lunar and planetary surfaces. These sites can also be valuable for training personnel who are expected to operate those systems. The fact that the site is an integral element, capable of influencing data and impacting test results, must not be overlooked. For tests performed in analog environments to be truly valid it is essential that the relevant characteristics of the employed sites be thoroughly understood. It is also critical that a comparative evaluation be made to assess the similarity of the analog sites to target planetary sites. Examples of relevant characteristics include terrain, soil properties, meteorology, geologic features, biological history, and remoteness. The importance of each of the characteristics varies with the type of extraterrestrial activity to be conducted. As a result, a site that is ideal for one purpose may be totally inadequate for another. It may also be appropriate to utilize multiple sites of increasing fidelity as the development process evolves. For example, early in the development process, the use of lower-fidelity sites may be elected - especially if they are available for a lower cost. Later, it may be necessary to employ higher-fidelity sites to capture greater realism, even if there is an associated increased cost. Finally, when interpreting the results of field tests, it is necessary to understand the sensitivity of the results to the relevant conditions. Knowledge of characteristics and sensitivity of results is particularly important when using field test results to validate analytical model predictions. This is especially true for activities that involve physical interaction with the site. Examples would include tests of rovers or other vehicles and associated trafficability modeling, spacesuit mobility tests, and tests associated with system deployment operations.

Watson, J.K.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Stratigraphy, Sequence, and Crater Populations of Lunar Impact Basins from Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA) Data: Implications for the Late Heavy Bombardment

New measurements of the topography of the Moon from the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA)[1] provide an excellent base-map for analyzing the large crater population (D.20 km)of the lunar surface [2, 3]. We have recently used this data to calculate crater size-frequency distributions (CSFD) for 30 lunar impact basins, which have implications for their stratigraphy and sequence. These data provide an avenue for assessing the timing of the transitions between distinct crater populations characteristic of ancient and young lunar terrains, which has been linked to the late heavy bombardment (LHB). We also use LOLA data to re-examine relative stratigraphic relationships between key lunar basins.

Fassett, C. I.↗
NASA NTRS2015

Spillage of Lunar Polar Crater Volatiles onto Adjacent Terrains: The Case for Dynamic Processes

We present an investigation of the release and transport of lunar polar crater volatiles onto topside regions surrounding the cold traps. The volatiles are liberated via surface energization processes associated with the harsh space environment, including solar wind plasma sputtering and impact vaporization. We find that some fraction of these volatiles can migrate from crater floors onto topside regions (those regions directly adjacent to and above the polar crater floors), and that these surrounding terrains should contain a sampling of the material originating within the crater itself. It is concluded that the nature of the volatile content on crater floors can be obtained by sampling the surface volatiles that have migrated or "spilled out" onto the adjacent terrain. This "spillage" effect could make human or robotic prospecting for crater resources significantly easier, since an assessment may not require direct entry into the very harsh polar crater environment. We also suggest that there are dynamic processes actively operating on the crater floors, and we estimate their source rates assuming dynamic equilibrium of the observed water frost and our modeled loss rates.

Vaporization↗
NASA NTRS2000

Lybia Montes: A Safe, Ancient Cratered Terrain, Mars Surveyor Landing Site at the Isidis Basin Rim

The Isidis basin rim may be key to understanding Mars' past with future lander missions: this area enables the mission objective to explore Mars' climatic and geologic history, including the search for liquid water and evidence of prior or extant life in ancient terrains. While two safe candidate landIng sites for Mars Pathfinder were identified in Isidis Planitia, and one is being pursued for the Mars Surveyor 2001 Lander, the region around Isidis Planitia. in contrast to Tharsis for example, has only been lightly studied. The advent of new high resolution data sets provides an opportunity to re-assess the geologic context of this Impact basin and its rim within the Martian geologic sequence as a candidate site for studying Mars' ancient cratered terrain and ancient hydrosphere. This reexamination is warranted by the various hypotheses that Isidis was once filled with ice or water.

Haldemann, A. F. C.↗
NASA NTRS1978

An examination of the relationships between selected ground properties and Landsat MSS data in an area of complex terrain in southern Italy

The paper deals with the method and results of a study which involved an examination of the statistical relationships between selected ground properties and Landsat MSS data, and whose aim was to assess the applicability of Landsat data to surface cover mapping in areas characterized by high-frequency spatial variations of surface cover type over small areas. The results indicate that by systematic ground data collection it is possible to understand the basic relationships between ground properties and Landsat sensor data in areas of complex surface cover and terrain, and to classify the cover types.

Justice, C. O.↗
NASA NTRS2009

Combustion of Organic Molecules by the Thermal Decomposition of Perchlorate Salts: Implications for Organics at the Mars Phoenix Scout Landing Site

The Mars 2007 Phoenix Scout Mission successfully landed on May 25, 2008 and operated on the northern plains of Mars for 150 sols. The primary mission objective was to study the history of water and evaluate the potential for past and present habitability in Martian arctic ice-rich soil [1]. Phoenix landed near 68 N latitude on polygonal terrain created by ice layers that are a few centimeters under loose soil materials. The Phoenix Mission is assessing the potential for habitability by searching for organic molecules in the ice or icy soils at the landing site. Organic molecules are necessary building blocks for life, although their presence in the ice or soil does not indicate life itself. Phoenix searched for organic molecules by heating soil/ice samples in the Thermal and Evolved-Gas Analyzer (TEGA, [2]). TEGA consists of 8 differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) ovens integrated with a magnetic-sector mass spectrometer with a mass range of 2-140 daltons [2]. Endothermic and exothermic reactions are recorded by the TEGA DSC as samples are heated from ambient to ~1000 C. Evolved gases, including any organic molecules and their fragments, are simultaneously measured by the mass spectrometer during heating. Phoenix TEGA data are still under analysis; however, no organic fragments have been identified to date in the evolved gas analysis (EGA). The MECA Wet Chemistry Lab (WCL) discovered a perchlorate salt in the Phoenix soils and a mass 32 peak evolved between 325 and 625 C for one surface sample dubbed Baby Bear [3]. The mass 32 peak is attributed to evolved O2 generated during the thermal decomposition of the perchlorate salt. Perchlorates are very strong oxidizers when heated, so it is possible that organic fragments evolved in the temperature range of 300-600 C were combusted by the O2 released during the thermal decomposition of the perchlorate salt. The byproduct of the combustion of organic molecules is CO2. There is a prominent release of CO2 between 200-600 C for several of the Phoenix soils analyzed by TEGA. This low temperature release of CO2 might be any combination of 1) desorption of adsorbed CO2, 2) thermal decomposition of Fe- and Mg-carbonates, and 3) combustion of organic molecules [2].

Ming, D.W.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Quasi-periodic climate changes on Mars - A review

The current understanding of the manner in which astronomical variations modulate the Martian climate and thereby lead to the occurrence of laminated polar terrain is considered. The seasonal cycles of dust, carbon dioxide and water, and their responses to astronomical variations, are studied. After an assessment of the way in which these cycles presently operate, for which pertinent spacecraft and ground-based observations are extant, attempts to predict how these cycles may differ under conditions of high and low obliquity and eccentricity are discussed. Attention is given not only to those areas in which there is broad agreement, but also to the controversial and speculative. Key questions include the proportion of dust and water ice in the laminae and its variations within individual layers, the relative importance of older laminae and lower-latitude material as sources of new laminae, and the factors responsible for the youth of the laminated terrain.

Pollack, J. B.↗
NASA NTRS2010

Infrared Sensor on Unmanned Aircraft Transmits Time-Critical Wildfire Data

Since 2006, NASA fs Dryden Flight Research Center (DFRC) and Ames Research Center have been perfecting and demonstrating a new capability for geolocation of wildfires and the real-time delivery of data to firefighters. Managed for the Western States Fire Mission, the Ames-developed Autonomous Modular Scanner (AMS), mounted beneath a wing of DFRC fs MQ-9 Ikhana remotely piloted aircraft, contains an infrared sensor capable of discriminating temperatures within 0.5 F (approx. = 0.3 C), up to 1,000 F (approx. = 540 C). The AMS operates like a digital camera with specialized filters to detect light energy at visible, infrared, and thermal wavelengths. By placing the AMS aboard unmanned aircraft, one can gather information and imaging for thousands of square miles, and provide critical information about the location, size, and terrain around fires to commanders in the field. In the hands of operational agencies, the benefits of this NASA research and development effort can support nationwide wildfire fighting efforts. The sensor also provides data for post-burn and vegetation regrowth analyses. The MQ-9 Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), a version of the Predator-B, can operate over long distances, staying aloft for over 24 hours, and controlled via a satellite-linked command and control system. This same link is used to deliver the fire location data directly to fire incident commanders, in less than 10 minutes from the time of overflight. In the current method, similarly equipped short-duration manned aircraft, with limited endurance and range, must land, hand-carry, and process data, and then deliver information to the firefighters, sometimes taking several hours in the process. Meanwhile, many fires would have moved over great distances and changed direction. Speed is critical. The fire incident commanders must assess a very dynamic situation, and task resources such as people, ground equipment, and retardant-dropping aircraft, often in mountainous terrain obscured by dense smoke.

Pestana, Mark↗
NASA NTRS1981

Using radar image simulation to assess relative geometric distortions inherent in radar imagery

A unique method for observing the relative contributions of backscatter and propagation effects is afforded by radar image simulation. Digital terrain data are used in modeling radar image formation. Backscatter and propagation effects are modeled separately. These are incorporated serially and the image expression of each is noted. Sequences of images are presented illustrating these effects over a range of slopes and angles of incidence. The conclusions reached are that at angles of incidence that are smaller than the average slope of the terrain in a region, propagation phenomena predominate. As the angle of incidence increases beyond this, the radar image portrays an increasingly faithful representation of the backscatter from the ground. It is also demonstrated that digital simulation affords an important tool for evaluating complex interactions between the ground and radar, for training users in radar image interpretation, and for selecting optimum sensor parameters for particular applications.

Kaupp, V. H.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Machine-learning Solution for Automatic Spacesuit Motion Recognition and Measurement from Conventional Video

Extravehicular Activity (EVA) spacesuits exhibit unique movement patterns due to their design characteristics. Mobility assessments using traditional motion capture systems are cost prohibitive and not feasible for some training conditions (e.g., simulated lunar outdoor terrain). This paper aims to present the ongoing development of machine learning solutions to quantify suit motions from conventional videos without special sensors or hardware. Given the fast growth in deep/machine learning technologies, external expertise was sought from open-source communities. This was expected to accelerate development and provide more cost-effective, time-saving solutions. This work was selected for a NASA Crowdsourcing project through an agency-wide solicitation. Partnerships were formed with the NASA JSC Center of Excellence for Collaborative Innovation and an execution crowdsourcing platform partner to solicit framework developments from external contenders. NASA provided contenders with video clips of spacesuits and simultaneously measured motion capture data during EVA simulation tasks. The contenders used this data to train and develop generalized algorithms to predict motions. At the end of the crowdsourcing event, five solutions were selected from 250 submissions. Each submission was tested and scored using video clips not previously disclosed to the contenders. The scoring metrics measured how well the algorithm detected the suit shape, the 2D suit joint detection accuracy, and 3D joint detection accuracy. The winning solution was able to achieve roughly 85% prediction accuracy (weighted combination of scoring metrics). Overall, the algorithms could efficiently detect various types of spacesuits and motions across different EVA simulation environments such as the Neutral Buoyancy Lab (NBL). However, 3D joint identification is less reliable when parts of the suit were obstructed in the image. After continued improvements and validation, the fully developed system will enable EVA stakeholders to quantify suit kinematic patterns, which can help optimize suit, hardware, and task designs.

Linh Vu↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Machine-learning Solution for Automatic Spacesuit Motion Recognition and Measurement from Conventional Video

Extravehicular Activity (EVA) spacesuits exhibit unique movement patterns due to their design characteristics. Mobility assessments using traditional motion capture systems are cost prohibitive and not feasible for some training conditions (e.g., simulated lunar outdoor terrain). This paper aims to present the ongoing development of machine learning solutions to quantify suit motions from conventional videos without special sensors or hardware. Preliminary work into this field was promising but given the fast growth in deep/machine learning technologies, external expertise was sought from open-source communities. Partnerships were formed with the NASA JSC Center of Excellence for Collaborative Innovation (CoCEI) and an execution crowdsourcing platform partner to solicit machine learning framework developments from external contenders. NASA provided contenders with images and video clips of spacesuits with simultaneously measured motion capture data during EVA simulation tasks. The contenders used this data to train and develop generalized algorithms to predict motions. At the end of the crowdsourcing event, the top five solutions were selected from 250 submissions. Each submission was tested and scored using video clips not previously disclosed to the contenders. The weighted scoring metrics measured how well the algorithm detected the suit shape, the 2D suit joint detection accuracy, and 3D joint detection accuracy. The winning solution was able to achieve roughly 85% prediction accuracy. Overall, the algorithms could efficiently detect various types of spacesuits and motions across different EVA environments such as the NASA Active Response Gravity Offload System (ARGOS). After continued improvements and validation, the fully developed system will enable EVA stakeholders to quantify suit kinematic patterns, which can help optimize suit, hardware, and task designs.

Linh Vu↗
NASA NTRS2019

Ground Risk Assessment Service Provider (GRASP) Development Effort as a Supplemental Data Service Provider (SDSP) for Urban Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Operations

NASA’s Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Traffic Management (UTM) project aims to enable the integration of new aviation paradigms such as Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) while providing the necessary infrastructure for future concepts such as On-Demand Mobility (ODM) and Urban Air Mobility (UAM) operations in the National Airspace System (NAS). In order to do so, the UTM project has developed an architecture to allow communication among UAS operators, UAS Service Suppliers (USS), Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSP), and the public. As part of this framework, the Supplemental Data Service Providers (SDSP) are envisioned as model and/or data based services that disseminate essential or enhanced information to ensure safe operations within low-altitude airspace. These services include terrain and obstacle data, specialized weather data, surveillance, constraint information, risk monitoring, etc. This paper highlights the development efforts of a non-participant casualty risk assessment SDSP called Ground Risk Assessment Service Provider (GRASP) which assists operators with preflight planning. GRASP is based on the previously introduced UTM Risk Assessment Framework (URAF) and allows UAS operators to simulate and visualize potential non-participant casualty risks associated with their proposed flight. The risk assessment capability also allows operators to revise their flight plans if the casualty risks are determined to be above acceptable thresholds. GRASP is configured to account for future improvements including servicing airborne aircraft as part of NASA’s System-Wide Safety (SWS) project.

Ancel, Ersin↗
NASA NTRS2008

Landing Site Dispersion Analysis and Statistical Assessment for the Mars Phoenix Lander

The Mars Phoenix Lander launched on August 4, 2007 and successfully landed on Mars 10 months later on May 25, 2008. Landing ellipse predicts and hazard maps were key in selecting safe surface targets for Phoenix. Hazard maps were based on terrain slopes, geomorphology maps and automated rock counts of MRO's High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) images. The expected landing dispersion which led to the selection of Phoenix's surface target is discussed as well as the actual landing dispersion predicts determined during operations in the weeks, days, and hours before landing. A statistical assessment of these dispersions is performed, comparing the actual landing-safety probabilities to criteria levied by the project. Also discussed are applications for this statistical analysis which were used by the Phoenix project. These include using the statistical analysis used to verify the effectiveness of a pre-planned maneuver menu and calculating the probability of future maneuvers.

Bonfiglio, Eugene P.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Celestial Mapping System

Celestial Mapping System (CMS) is a desktop application that provides a toolkit of features for visualization and analysis of celestial bodies, beginning with a 3D lunar globe. Although there are lunar mapping products publicly available, they use old data from lunar missions, have no native desktop version, and they are mostly 2D. CMS addresses this by providing high-resolution datasets from recent lunar missions, accurate elevation data to display and read 3D terrain, and is built on top of World Wind Java library which provides a rich set of functionality and the ability to easily expand to other celestial bodies. CMS is also looking at implementing features to support situational awareness, path optimization and resource assessment, which will be of use in upcoming missions to the lunar surface. CMS utilizes geospatial tools such as QGIS and GDAL to test and modify planetary data. Other features include the ability to enable specific place names, a measurement toolbox, terrain profiler, the ability to view the moon in stereo, navigation capabilities, and an interactive visit to the Apollo landing sites which showcase 3D objects of the astronauts and lunar landers. In the world of planetary mapping, CMS aims to significantly improve upon existing functionalities, and bring new tools, that will be useful to the planetary science community and mission planners.

Kaitlyn Dickinson↗
NASA NTRS1978

Description of a computer simulation of an orbital SAR system

A computer simulation of an orbital SAR system has been developed in order to predict SAR performance for a wide variety of system and environmental parameters. The objectives of the simulation are: (1) to assess the effect of various antenna patterns on the SAR image, (2) to assess the effect of various SAR parameters on the system's ability to detect small differences in the radar cross section of adjacent homogeneous areas, and (3) to assess the effect of mapping geometry on SAR image quality. The simulation is implemented as seven programs: (1) simulation control, (2) terrain model, (3) slant range computation, (4) production of IPQ video, (5) motion compensation, (6) Doppler processor, and (7) postprocessor and display.

Crow, G. L.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Toward Soil Spatial Information Systems (SSIS) for global modeling and ecosystem management

The general objective is to conduct research to contribute toward the realization of a world soils and terrain (SOTER) database, which can stand alone or be incorporated into a more complete and comprehensive natural resources digital information system. The following specific objectives are focussed on: (1) to conduct research related to (a) translation and correlation of different soil classification systems to the SOTER database legend and (b) the inferfacing of disparate data sets in support of the SOTER Project; (2) to examine the potential use of AVHRR (Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer) data for delineating meaningful soils and terrain boundaries for small scale soil survey (range of scale: 1:250,000 to 1:1,000,000) and terrestrial ecosystem assessment and monitoring; and (3) to determine the potential use of high dimensional spectral data (220 reflectance bands with 10 m spatial resolution) for delineating meaningful soils boundaries and conditions for the purpose of detailed soil survey and land management.

Baumgardner, Marion F.↗