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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 163 records · Page 9
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2004

Planetary Geology and Geophysics Program

Geological mapping and topical studies, primarily in the southern Acidalia Planitia/Cydonia Mensae region of Mars is presented. The overall objective was to understand geologic processes and crustal history in the northern lowland in order to assess the probability that an ocean once existed in this region. The major deliverable is a block of 6 1:500,000 scale geologic maps that will be published in 2004 as a single map at 1:1,000,000 scale along with extensive descriptive and interpretive text. A major issue addressed by the mapping was the relative ages of the extensive plains of Acidalia Planitia and the knobs and mesas of Cydonia Mensae. The mapping results clearly favor a younger age for the plains. Topical studies included a preliminary analysis of the very abundant small domes and cones to assess the possibility that their origins could be determined by detailed mapping and remote-sensing analysis. We also tested the validity of putative shorelines by using GIs to co-register full-resolution MOLA altimetry data and Viking images with these shorelines plotted on them. Of the 3 proposed shorelines in this area, one is probably valid, one is definitely not valid, and the third is apparently 2 shorelines closely spaced in elevation. Publications supported entirely or in part by this grant are included.

McGill, George E.↗
NASA NTRS1984

An infrared disk at the center of the bipolar planetary nebula NGC 6302

Broad-band infrared photometry and high-resolution infrared maps are presented for NGC 6302, a bipolar planetary nebula in which material is being driven outward by a powerful stellar wind. The infrared morphology is very unlike that seen optically. Maps at 1.25, 2.2, 3.4, and 10 microns show evidence for a disk of material with its short axis oriented parallel to the supersonic flow and located between the optical lobes. This structure is not optically evident partly because of the large extinction along the line of sight to the nebular core. It is suggested that the observed disk is either an expanded fossil toroid that once confined the flow, or else is stellar envelope material that was not in the path of the bipolar flow and that remains in the vicinity of the stellar remnant.

Lester, D. F.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Thermal Emission Spectrometer Results: Mars Atmospheric Thermal Structure and Aerosol Distribution

Infrared spectra returned by the Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) are well suited for retrieval of the thermal structure and the distribution of aerosols in the Martian atmosphere. Combined nadir- and limb-viewing spectra allow global monitoring of the atmosphere up to 0.01 mbar (65 km). We report here on the atmospheric thermal structure and the distribution of aerosols as observed thus far during the mapping phase of the Mars Global Surveyor mission. Zonal and temporal mean cross sections are used to examine the seasonal evolution of atmospheric temperatures and zonal winds during a period extending from northern hemisphere mid-summer through vernal equinox (L(sub s) = 104-360 deg). Temperature maps at selected pressure levels provide a characterization of planetary-scale waves. Retrieved atmospheric infrared dust opacity maps show the formation and evolution of regional dust storms during southern hemisphere summer. Response of the atmospheric thermal structure to the changing dust loading is observed. Maps of water-ice clouds as viewed in the thermal infrared are presented along with seasonal trends of infrared water-ice opacity. Uses of these observations for diagnostic studies of the dynamics of the atmosphere are discussed.

Smith, Michael D.↗
NASA NTRS2024

Machine Learning Based Aerosol and Ocean Color Joint Retrieval Algorithm for Multiangle Polarimeters over Coastal Waters

NASA’s Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) mission, recently launched in February 2024, carries two multiangle polarimeters (MAPs): the UMBC Hyper-Angular Rainbow Polarimeter (HARP2) and SRON Spectropolarimeter for Planetary Exploration One (SPEXone). Measurements from these MAPs will greatly advance ocean ecosystem and aerosol studies as their measurements contain rich information on microphysical properties of aerosols and hydrosols. The Multi-Angular Polarimetric Ocean coLor (MAPOL) joint retrieval algorithm has been developed to retrieve aerosol and ocean color information, which uses a vector radiative transfer (RT) model as the forward model. The RT model is computationally expensive, which makes processing a large amount of data challenging. FastMAPOL was developed to expedite retrieval using neural networks to replace the RT forward models. As a prototype study, FastMAPOL was initially limited to open ocean applications where the ocean Inherent Optical Properties (IOPs) were parameterized in terms of one parameter: chlorophyll-a concentration (Chla). In this study we further expand the FastMAPOL joint retrieval algorithm to incorporate NN based forward models for coastal waters, which use multi-parameter bio-optical models. In addition, aerosols are represented by six components, i.e., fine mode non absorbing insoluble (FNAI), brown carbon (BrC), black carbon (BC), fine mode non absorbing soluble (FNAS), sea salt (SS) and non-spherical dust (Dust). Sea salt and dust are coarse mode aerosols, while the other components are in the fine mode. The sizes and spectral refractive indices are fixed for each aerosol component, while their abundances are retrievable. The multi-parameter bio-optical model and aerosol components are chosen to represent the coastal marine environment. The retrieval algorithm is applied to synthetic measurements in three different configurations ofMAPs in the PACE mission: HARP2 observations only, SPEXone observations only and combined HARP2 and SPEXone observations. The retrieval results from synthetic measurements show that for aerosol retrieval the SPEXone-only configuration works equally well with the HAPR2-only configuration. On the other hand, for ocean color retrieval the SPEXone instrument provides better information due to its larger spectral coverage. For the surface parameters (wind speed), HARP2 measurements provide better information due to its wide field of view. Combined measurement configuration HARP2+SPEXone performed the best to retrieve all aerosol, ocean color and surface parameters. We also studied the impact of sun glint to aerosol and ocean color retrievals. The retrieval test revealed that wind speed and absorbing aerosol retrieval improves significantly when including measurements at glint geometries. Furthermore, the retrieval algorithm is equipped with modules for atmospheric correction and bidirectional reflectance distribution (BRDF) correction to obtain the remote sensing reflectance, which enables ocean biogeochemistry studies using the PACE polarimeter data.

PACE↗
NASA NTRS2016

SPICE Tools Supporting Planetary Remote Sensing

NASA's "SPICE" ancillary information system has gradually become the de facto international standard for providing scientists the fundamental observation geometry needed to perform photogrammetry, map making and other kinds of planetary science data analysis. SPICE provides position and orientation ephemerides of both the robotic spacecraft and the target body; target body size and shape data; instrument mounting alignment and field-of-view geometry; reference frame specifications; and underlying time system conversions.

Observation geometry↗
NASA NTRS1992

Initial results from the Magellan stereo experiment

The second global radar image coverage of Venus by Magellan included a 1 day experiment to produce a set of eight images along orbits that combined with the original nominal imagery into stereo image pairs suited for visual stereo interpretation and mapping of topographic elevations. Initial analysis shows excellent stereo radar data with good vertical exaggeration of six and more, parallax accuracies of +/- 0.6 pixels or +/- 45 m and a surface definition with +/- 30 m. The topographic relief can be very accentuated, with local elevation differences of 2.5 km and terrain slopes often in excess of 25 deg. This data set has proven the usefulness of global stereo coverage and marks the beginning of significant planetary stereo radargrammetric developments. Extensive mapping with this same stereo geometry is being carried out in cycle 3, and preparations are underway to develop a detailed stereo radargrammetric topographic model of the planet.

Leberl, Franz W.↗
NASA NTRS2022

Landing Site Selection with a Variable-Resolution SLAM-Refined Map

In many scenarios it is desirable for planetary landers to select or modify their landing sites autonomously during descent. We present a landing site selection algorithm which is optimized to work in conjunction with a Simultaneous Localization and Mapping system. Our algorithm selects landing sites based on site slope, roughness, and operator-defined interest. In addition, we generate guidance commands and approximate fuel consumption for the highest ranked sites. We validate our algorithm with LiDAR and inertial data gathered by a vertical take-off and landing vehicle.

Chen, Po-Ting↗
NASA NTRS1993

Magnetic fields of the outer planets

It is difficult to imagine a group of planetary dynamos more diverse than those visited by the Pioneer and Voyager spacecraft. The magnetic field of Jupiter is large in magnitude and has a dipole axis within 10 deg of its rotation axis, comfortably consistent with the paleomagnetic history of the geodynamo. Saturn's remarkable (zonal harmonic) magnetic field has an axis of symmetry that is indistinguishable from its rotation axis (mush less than 1 deg angular separation); it is also highly antisymmetric with respect to the equator plane. According to one hypothesis, the spin symmetry may arise from the differential rotation of an electrically conducting and stably stratified layer above the dynamo. The magnetic fields of Uranus and Neptune are very much alike, and equally unlike those of the other known magnetized planets. These two planets are characterized by a large dipole tilts (59 deg and 47 deg, respectively) and quadrupole moments (Schmidt-normalized quadrupole/dipole ratio approximately equal 1.0). These properties may be characteristic of dynamo generation in the relatively poorly conducting 'ice' interiors of Uranus and Neptune. Characteristics of these planetary magnetic fields are illustrated using contour maps of the field on the planet's surface and discussed in the context of planetary interiors and dynamo generation.

Connerney, J. E. P.↗
NASA NTRS1986

A survey of nearby stars for the perturbatative effects of extrasolar planetary systems

A new photoelectric astrometric system, the Multichannel Astrometric Photometer (MAP), was developed, and it was used in a regular observing program designed to detect extrasolar planetary systems. The 76-cm refractor of the Allegheny Observatory was fully renovated to make it suitable as the observing instrument for the MAP. The MAP itself was designed, constructed and tested in actual operation. A data analysis system was developed and tested.

Gatewood, G. D.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Application of Interferometric Radars to Planetary Geologic Studies

Radar interferometry is rapidly becoming one of the major applications of radar systems in Earth orbit. So far the 2000 flight of the Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission (SRTM) is the only dedicated U.S. radar to be flown for the collection of interferometric data, but enough has been learned from this mission and from the use of foreign partner radars (ERS-1/2, Radarsat, ENIVISAT and JERS-1) for the potential planetary applications of this technique to be identified. A recent workshop was organized by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC), and was held at Oxnard, CA, from October 20th - 22nd, 2004. At this meeting, the major interest was in terrestrial radar systems, but approx. 20 or the approx. 250 attendees also discussed potential applications of interferometric radar for the terrestrial planets. The primary foci were for the detection of planetary water, the search for active tectonism and volcanism and the improved topographic mapping. This abstract provides a summary of these planetary discussions at the Oxnard meeting.

Mouginis-Mark, P. J.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Utilization of Geographic Information System in Lunar Mapping

Substantial digital remote sensing, lunar orbital photography, Earth-based remote sensing, and mapping of a variety of surficial lunar phenomena have occurred since the advent of the Space Age. This has led to a bewildering and quite disparate collection of archival sources insofar as this digital data and its cartographic representation can be found within many countries of the world. The importance of this mapping program in support of human expansion onto our nearest planetary neighbor has been recognized. A series of small scale maps of the Moon at 1 km to 1 cm, done with the support of Geographic Information System (GIS), would serve decision makers well in the process of accessing the development of manned occupance of the Moon. Maps and the data that they are derived from are the primary way in which people explore new environments and use previously discovered data to increase the bounties of any exploration. The inherent advantage of GIS is that it would allow immediate online access on the Moon of topographically represented data with analysis either on site or from Earth.

Mardon, A. A.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Feasibility study of a long duration balloon flight with NASA/GSFC and Soviet Space Agency Gamma Ray Spectrometers

A feasibility study of conducting a joint NASA/GSFC and Soviet Space Agency long duration balloon flight at the Antarctic in Jan. 1993 is reported. The objective of the mission is the verification and calibration of gamma ray and neutron remote sensing instruments which can be used to obtain geochemical maps of the surface of planetary bodies. The gamma ray instruments in question are the GRAD and the Soviet Phobos prototype. The neutron detectors are supplied by Los Alamos National Laboratory and the Soviet Phobos prototype. These are to be carried aboard a gondola that supplies the data and supplies the power for the period of up to two weeks.

Sharp, William E.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Autonomous In-Situ Resources Prospector

This presentation will describe the concept of an autonomous, intelligent, rover-based rapid surveying system to identify and map several key lunar resources to optimize their ISRU (In Situ Resource Utilization) extraction potential. Prior to an extraction phase for any target resource, ground-based surveys are needed to provide confirmation of remote observation, to quantify and map their 3-D distribution, and to locate optimal extraction sites (e.g. ore bodies) with precision to maximize their economic benefit. The system will search for and quantify optimal minerals for oxygen production feedstock, water ice, and high glass-content regolith that can be used for building materials. These are targeted because of their utility and because they are, or are likely to be, variable in quantity over spatial scales accessible to a rover (i.e., few km). Oxygen has benefits for life support systems and as an oxidizer for propellants. Water is a key resource for sustainable exploration, with utility for life support, propellants, and other industrial processes. High glass-content regolith has utility as a feedstock for building materials as it readily sinters upon heating into a cohesive matrix more readily than other regolith materials or crystalline basalts. Lunar glasses are also a potential feedstock for oxygen production, as many are rich in iron and titanium oxides that are optimal for oxygen extraction. To accomplish this task, a system of sensors and decision-making algorithms for an autonomous prospecting rover is described. One set of sensors will be located in the wheel tread of the robotic search vehicle providing contact sensor data on regolith composition. Another set of instruments will be housed on the platform of the rover, including VIS-NIR imagers and spectrometers, both for far-field context and near-field characterization of the regolith in the immediate vicinity of the rover. Also included in the sensor suite are a neutron spectrometer, ground-penetrating radar, and an instrumented cone penetrometer for subsurface assessment. Output from these sensors will be evaluated autonomously in real-time by decision-making software to evaluate if any of the targeted resources has been detected, and if so, to quantify their abundance. Algorithms for optimizing the mapping strategy based on target resource abundance and distribution are also included in the autonomous software. This approach emphasizes on-the-fly survey measurements to enable efficient and rapid prospecting of large areas, which will improve the economics of ISRU system approaches. The mature technology will enable autonomous rovers to create in-situ resource maps of lunar or other planetary surfaces, which will facilitate human and robotic exploration.

Dissly, R. W.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Lunar and Planetary Science XXXVI, Part 8

The following topics were discussed: Why Small is Beautiful, and How to Detect Another 10 Billion Small Main Belt Asteroids; Basalts in Mare Humorum and S.E. Procellarum; Basalts in Mare Serenitatis, Lacus Somniorum, Lacus Mortis and Part of Mare Tranquillitatis; Revised Thorium Abundances for Lunar Red Spots; Integrating Global-Scale Mission Datasets - Understanding the Martian Crust; Comparing Goldstone Solar System Radar Earth-based Observations of Mars with Orbital Datasets; Water Ice Clouds in the Martian Atmosphere: A View from MGS TES; Lunar Meteorite Northeast Africa 001: An Anorthositic Regolith Breccia with Mixed Highland/Mare Components; One Spectrometer, Two Spectra: Complementary Hemispherical Reflectance and Thermal Emission Spectroscopy Using a Single FTIR Instrument; Alteration Phases Associated with High Concentrations of Orthopyroxene and Olivine on Mars; Experimental Crystallization of Fe-rich Basalt: Application to Cooling Rate and Oxygen Fugacity of Nakhlite MIL-03346; Thermo-Chemical Convection in Europa s Icy Shell with Salinity; Tectonic Pressurization of Aquifers in the Formation of Mangala and Athabasca Valles on Mars; 3D Structural Interpretation of the Eagle Butte Impact Structure, Alberta, Canada; Ultraviolet Views of Enceladus, Tethys, and Dione; Crustal Plateaus as Ancient Large Impact Features: A Hypothesis; New Observations of Crustal Plateau Surface Histories, Venus: Implications for Crustal Plateau Hypotheses; Detailed Mineralogical Characterizations of Four S-Asteroids: 138 Tolosa, 306 Unitas, 346 Hermentaria, and 480 Hansa; Working with Planetary Coordinate Reference Systems; Bilingual Map of Mercury; and The Io Mountain Online Database.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2014

Introduction: The Geologic Mapping of Vesta

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the Geologic Mapping of Vesta Special Issue/Section of Icarus, which includes several papers containing geologic maps of the surface of Vesta made to support data analysis conducted by the Dawn Science Team during the Vesta Encounter (July 2011-September 2012). In this paper we briefly discuss pre-Dawn knowledge of Vesta, provide the goals of our geologic mapping campaign, discuss the methodologies and materials used for geologic mapping, review the global geologic context of Vesta, discuss the challenges of mapping the geology of Vesta as a small airless body, and describe the content of the papers in this Special Issue/Section. We conclude with a discussion of lessons learned from our quadrangle-based mapping effort and provide recommendations for conducting mapping campaigns as part of planetary spacecraft nominal missions.

surfaces↗
NASA NTRS2001

A Combined HIPPARCOS and Multichannel Astrometric Photometer Study of the Proposed Planetary System of Rho Coronae Borealis

Hipparcos and Multichannel Astrometric Photometer (MAP) observations of rho Coronae Borealis independently display astrometric motion at the period of the proposed extrasolar planetary companion to the star. Individual least-squares fits to each astrometric data set yield independent estimates of the semimajor axis, inclination, and node angle that are in excellent agreement. A combined solution of the Hipparcos and MAP data yields an inclination of 0.5 deg, a node at 30.5 +/- 12.4, and a semimajor axis of 1.66 +/- 0.35 mas, indicating a companion mass of 0.14 +/- 0.05 solar masses over two orders of magnitude greater than the minimum mass for the companion as determined by radial velocity studies. This mass is approximately that of an M dwarf star, the companion cannot be a planetary object.

Gatewood, George↗